inq123
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Computer won't turn on, power or motherboard?
One of my computers suddenly died while in use. Basically it just lost power completely. Can't be turned on any more. I've tried following:
1. Switch the power-on and reset power switches on motherboard hoping to see if it's power switch's problem. But reset switch does not turn computer on either.
2. Clean up the whole computer and pray problem just goes away :) Seriously, it's been sitting on carpet for the last couple years and got a lot of dust, might cause short or component failure. Anyway didn't work.
3. Checked and made sure power strip worked (used the same power cable on another power supply and it worked).
4. Disconnected all HDs and modems, adaptors, memory, basically everything except for power switch and connectors to power unit, and still power won't come on.
However, after all these things were done, I noticed that when I push power switch, the CPU fan turns 1/8 turn and stops (I might have overlooked this before), meaning the power is on (I also accidentally shorted the power unit and burned the screwdriver). But why is the power not enough to even drive CPU fan? Is it power unit partial failure or motherboard problem? What should I do before buying new power unit/motherboard/computer?
Thanks much in advance! Will increase points for good advice.
1. Switch the power-on and reset power switches on motherboard hoping to see if it's power switch's problem. But reset switch does not turn computer on either.
2. Clean up the whole computer and pray problem just goes away :) Seriously, it's been sitting on carpet for the last couple years and got a lot of dust, might cause short or component failure. Anyway didn't work.
3. Checked and made sure power strip worked (used the same power cable on another power supply and it worked).
4. Disconnected all HDs and modems, adaptors, memory, basically everything except for power switch and connectors to power unit, and still power won't come on.
However, after all these things were done, I noticed that when I push power switch, the CPU fan turns 1/8 turn and stops (I might have overlooked this before), meaning the power is on (I also accidentally shorted the power unit and burned the screwdriver). But why is the power not enough to even drive CPU fan? Is it power unit partial failure or motherboard problem? What should I do before buying new power unit/motherboard/computer?
Thanks much in advance! Will increase points for good advice.
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Make sure the power supply is adequate to your needs, your machine might be drawing too much power and therefore shorting out the power supply... Find a wattage calculator and check it out.
I had the same problem on a siemens pc.
Checking it, i discover a cable disconnected into the case.
Check it.
The first cable is going on the mother board from power supply.
the second cable is going on the mother board from the button used to turn on the machine.
Checking it, i discover a cable disconnected into the case.
Check it.
The first cable is going on the mother board from power supply.
the second cable is going on the mother board from the button used to turn on the machine.
If you can borrow a PSU from a friend, try that.
If not, you can take your PC to a repair shop and ask if they can check that for you. Will save you the problems if you replace the wrong part...
Stripping to essentials, even without HD or Ram, should ad least give you access to BIOS, so fans should be spinning. If this isn't so, then the prob is mainboard or PSU, so I advise you to focus on those 2.
You can also take out the PSU and check it in another computer...
If not, you can take your PC to a repair shop and ask if they can check that for you. Will save you the problems if you replace the wrong part...
Stripping to essentials, even without HD or Ram, should ad least give you access to BIOS, so fans should be spinning. If this isn't so, then the prob is mainboard or PSU, so I advise you to focus on those 2.
You can also take out the PSU and check it in another computer...
ASKER
Thanks so much for so many quick replies! Here's what I've tried:
1. leave only one RAM on, same problem regardless of the slot/RAM chip used (I switched among two slots two chips).
2. leave only one HD, one RAM on, same (switched among two HDs).
3. Finally took the pain and pulled yet another power supply out (last night I actually tried to pull one out of an old computer but that one's not ATX and have different connectors), and put it in my computer, and yes it booted! (well, I probably should've waited till it actually booted up, but I didn't have the time this morning).
So it's the PSU again! I increased points since it's great to have your help!
Now one last question: For my 300W ATX PSU, can I just buy any 300-500W ATX PSU online or local and it would for sure work for my AMD computer (forgot the motherboard name), or do I need to worry about compatibility? Thanks!
1. leave only one RAM on, same problem regardless of the slot/RAM chip used (I switched among two slots two chips).
2. leave only one HD, one RAM on, same (switched among two HDs).
3. Finally took the pain and pulled yet another power supply out (last night I actually tried to pull one out of an old computer but that one's not ATX and have different connectors), and put it in my computer, and yes it booted! (well, I probably should've waited till it actually booted up, but I didn't have the time this morning).
So it's the PSU again! I increased points since it's great to have your help!
Now one last question: For my 300W ATX PSU, can I just buy any 300-500W ATX PSU online or local and it would for sure work for my AMD computer (forgot the motherboard name), or do I need to worry about compatibility? Thanks!
ASKER
Hello, before I award points, can anyone answer my last question:
>Now one last question: For my 300W ATX PSU, can I just buy any 300-500W ATX PSU online or local and it would for sure work for my AMD computer (forgot the motherboard name), or do I need to worry about compatibility? Thanks!
>Now one last question: For my 300W ATX PSU, can I just buy any 300-500W ATX PSU online or local and it would for sure work for my AMD computer (forgot the motherboard name), or do I need to worry about compatibility? Thanks!
If you are buying a new power supply, any old one should work.
If you get a used one, be sure it meets at least the same version of the ATX specification as the dead one, and that it has the additional 4-pin power connector, if your motherboard requires it.
You can probably get a new inexpensive generic power supply for about $30. The main advantage of more expensive brand-name models is that they will probably last longer. They usually also produce cleaner power, but the cheap generics are usually adequate. If your system was working reliably before the old power supply died, then I would say there's no need to spend more money on a higher-wattage model. Unless of course you are contemplating adding devices or upgrading components. Current generation video cards in particular are requiring a lot more power than the older models used to.
If you get a used one, be sure it meets at least the same version of the ATX specification as the dead one, and that it has the additional 4-pin power connector, if your motherboard requires it.
You can probably get a new inexpensive generic power supply for about $30. The main advantage of more expensive brand-name models is that they will probably last longer. They usually also produce cleaner power, but the cheap generics are usually adequate. If your system was working reliably before the old power supply died, then I would say there's no need to spend more money on a higher-wattage model. Unless of course you are contemplating adding devices or upgrading components. Current generation video cards in particular are requiring a lot more power than the older models used to.
ASKER
yeah, got a new 300W and it worked great, thanks for your reply!
ATX is ATX.
The only situations in which you have to worry, are:
- modern P4 computer (prescott, northwood, ...) - needs extra 4-pin connector
- general fast PC (P4 / AMD) with 4 or more drives & recent vid card (NVIdia, ATI): need quite some power (400W or +)
If the hardware isn't that recent, you can just buy some generic PSU. If you want to keep it arund for a while, even when you toss out the rest of the hardware, you can opt to buy some decent 400W + PSU, but that depends on your taste :)
Greetz!
The only situations in which you have to worry, are:
- modern P4 computer (prescott, northwood, ...) - needs extra 4-pin connector
- general fast PC (P4 / AMD) with 4 or more drives & recent vid card (NVIdia, ATI): need quite some power (400W or +)
If the hardware isn't that recent, you can just buy some generic PSU. If you want to keep it arund for a while, even when you toss out the rest of the hardware, you can opt to buy some decent 400W + PSU, but that depends on your taste :)
Greetz!
Hm, left this question open a bit too long, you already got it :p
I'm working too, going home in a few mins, so if you got any questions, just fire away :)
I'm working too, going home in a few mins, so if you got any questions, just fire away :)
ASKER
Thanks a lot Gaud!
Have the same problem as stated above- have changed out the power suppy and both allow the cpu fan to come for 10 to 15 seconds before shuting down. Hve tryed both power supplies in a good computer and both work. Now what???Help
Alternatively, as lew has said, try another power supply..