PC Troubleshooting

Randy DownsOWNER
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This article may be useful for troubleshooting your PC.

Power Supply - no lights or fans running

If you have no lights or fans running then either you power is bad, turned off (check switch) or the power supply needs to be replaced. That's a relatively easy fix. 

Power-Supply.jpg
Other Possibilities

If the power supply is not your problem then you may want to reconsider repairing your PC. Some items are easier to repair than others. Depending on the age of the PC it may be wiser to put money towards a new PC rather than invest in the old one.

Memory

If you are OK with replacing a power supply you might consider replacing the memory. Typically a PC will give you an audio alarm or a visual indication of bad memory so it's not the same symptoms as the power supply.

CPU

CPU is also fairly easy to replace but you will need to identify the CPU for your system board. If you have a similar PC you might try swapping a known good CPU into the problem PC. There are lots of places selling used CPUs for bargain prices so it might be worthwhile to order one. Many will let you return the CPU as long as you don't damage it.

You should probably invest in some thermal paste if you are going to replace the CPU.

System Board

System boards can be replaced but it probably isn't worth the effort on an older computer. It can be a nightmare just matching up system board to your model and the cost can be substantial. My recommendation is to find a budget PC somewhere like Dell.

I don't recommend Windows 8 unless you have tried the Operating System. Windows 7 is the Operating System of choice for now. Windows 10 is "in the pipe" and will be a free upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8.
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Randy DownsOWNER
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Randy Downs dba Downs Consulting Services is a verified Veteran-owned small business (VOSB)
Veteran business database www.vip.vetbiz.gov

Comments (4)

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Commented:
Power-Supply.jpg
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Commented:
I see where to insert an image in a comment but not the article editor (see above cpomment). Image insertion is always difficult to find when I submit articles here. I thought maybe feature had been removed.

I cleaned up the formatting in the source and added a few words.  I count 318 words with Word.
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Commented:
I used mostly new content. Are you saying you can't accept any copied content whatsoever?
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Commented:
OK, almost all the content is new other than the picture.

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