Computer Died - Need Help Figuring Out What Broke

What is the make and model of the computer?

It's something I've built myself over the years. I don't remember all the specs and, unfortunately, since the damn thing won't turn on, I can't find out for you.

It's running Windows XP Pro with SP2. I've got a 5-6 year old AMD processor (2100+ comes to mind). I've got at least 1GB of RAM. I don't remember the make of the mobo. The video card is not nVidia but the other one (the name's not coming at the moment - but they use a lot of red in their advertizing).

Sorry! I know this isn't very helpful but I haven't had any problems with my computer in such a long time that I've let myself forget what all the specs are. I might be able to troll through one of my older, answered questions and see if the specs are listed there.

Since the PS won't stay on, it may very well be the source of the problem. the video card vendor you're looking for is ATI.

Here, I found some of the specs on an older question of mine.

OS: Windows XP (SP 2)
CPU: Athlon XP 2100+ (1.73 GHz)
MOBO: MSI KM3M-V
FX: ATI Radeon 9600
SOUND: Creative SB Audigy

If it IS the power supply, is there a good way to test it short of going out and buying a new one? Last time I had a power supply die, I tried putting it in my wife's computer and it shorted hers out (although I managed to get it working again, I don't think that will be an acceptable testing option this time ...)

Another possibility is a dead CMOS battery. As to the PS, see messages 3 and 4 here:

http://forums.techguy.org/hardware/583336-solved-computer-dead-there-simple.html

Hmm. I might just have to take the thing into the local computer shop.

Check capacitors (caps) on motherboard for swelling or leakage. Here are some pictures and additional information:
http://www.badcaps.net/pages.php?vid=5

MSI used a lot of faulty caps in their mobos. You symptoms are consistent with a faulty capacitor either on motherboard or in power supply -- won't power back on until master switch is cycled.

Although swelling or leakage is a sure sign of a faulty cap, they can fail with no exterior indications.

The capacitors all look ok to me.

I'm right now trying the "take the battery out and leave it out for 15 minutes" trick. That worked once before. I might try taking my wife's power supply and hooking it into my computer. If neither of those things work, I'll probably just take it into the shop.

Try removing the memory and booting the machine.  It should start making some beeping noises indicating missing or corrupt memmory (in this case missing), if it still does the same thing, I would lean to a faulty motherbaord.  If the unit stays powered on and keeps beeping at you, then it would be a bad stick of ram.  If the computer does stay on and you have more than one stick of memory, try inserting them one at a time to determine which stick is causing the trouble.

Nope, just get the same thing without the RAM: when I hit the power button, the lights go on and the fans whir but only for a split second and then everything goes dead again.

OK that's just weird. My computer is now working again. Fingers crossed it'll keep doing so for a while yet ...

See how long it runs. If it shuts down and you have to cycle master switch, there's almost surely a weak/failing cap on mobo or in power supply. Times to shutdown can be random.

I left it on all afternoon while I was at class. Seems to be ok now.

Could the short death be a sign of something major to come?

OK thanks. I'll keep this question open for now in case anything else happens in the next couple of days.

Over time, oxidation builds up on contacts.  Reseating a connector will scrape away some oxidation so you can have a fresh contact.  Another thing is to use a pencil eraser to scrub the contacts clean.  I also used a lot of http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.188/.f in the Navy.  A lot of corrosive environments.

Actually ... I figured out what was wrong. It's very embarrassing.

I believe my daughter must have flipped the power supply switch, turning off my computer, when I wasn't looking. So when I discovered it was off, I reached back and flicked the power supply switch "off" then back "on", but really I had flicked it off ... and that's why the computer wasn't starting! I'd switch it on then switch it off again and hit the power button and I'd get a brief flicker of juice. It was only when I happened to have the power switch actually in the "on" position that the computer "mysteriously came back to life". :P

However, during all the fiddling and fretting and whatnot, I appear to have fried the PCI slot that my sound card was in because my computer stopped recognizing the card was there. I tried moving it down to the next PCI slot and it found the card, reinstalled it, and now it all works fine.


Sigh ...

Excuse Grandpa here for a minute, he's ROFL :-)

I said it was embarrassing. It's because my computer is under my text and it's awkward to actually look at the back ... so I just felt around and flipped the switch, not thinking that it might have already been flipped off and that I was actually flipping it on when I thought I was flipping it off and vice versa. Besides, I don't always remember which of the I and O means on and which means off. :P

LOL!! That's okay. I run a very similar board to yours. My computer has the next version: KM4M-V, with a 2600+ processor and 1GB of RAM. The only other thing I would recommend is making sure you have a good power supply with at least 350W. Remember, not all power supplies are the same. I paid $20 for a 400W power supply that didn't last a month and I had to RMA it. It ran worse than my old 250W power supply that I had for 3 years!! Good rule of thumb (usually), if the power supply is very light.....do NOT buy it. The heavier they are, usually the better they are. Also, the more expensive it is, the better it tends to be as well. I currently have a 420W Thermaltake power supply that I've used for my last 3 computers over the last 5 years!!

I think my power supply's pretty good. It's lasted about 2-3 years so far.

I HAVE got yet another fan that sounds like it's starting to go on me, though. I heard it struggling when I turned on the computer this morning. I'm not sure which fan it is, though. Might be the FX card fan ... again. I've had more fans die on me than anything else in my computer over the years. Sometimes I've even had to replace the same fan multiple times in quick succession (faulty products, I guess). Sigh ...

I don't know whether or not it's related to the "problem" I reported here, but the fan on my video card is calling it quits. I've only had the damn thing for about 2 years. The fan on my previous video card went kaput too, which is why I got my current one, but I'd had that one for about 4 years.

I don't suppose anyone can help me find a new fan for my video card?

It's an ATI Radeon 9600. Remember I live in New Zealand ...

Thanks.

I did a quick search on Google. I would try these sites since you're in New Zealand:
http://www.pricespy.co.nz/
http://www.computerstore.co.nz/

Hope that helps!!

Thanks. I'll take a look at those sites.

I know you don't need it now, but I thought I would put out some psu information for you to file for future use.  Another criterion for power supply selection is efficiency.  The antiquated criteria of weight is based on the size of the components and bulk of heatsinks.  Inefficient supplies need big heatsinks and oversized components.  If a power supply is running above 80% efficiency, that will require a better design, higher quality components, and it will generate very little heat.  Hence very little need for a heatsink.  The Antec Earthwatts series is certified 80PLUS® ( www.80plus.org ) and is very lightweight.  It is no less powerful or durable than any product we've made, but it wastes less electricity, generates less heat, and weighs less.  We're even designing our monsters, the Quattro 850 and 1000, for efficiency.  They're both 80PLUS® certified as well.

OK. Thanks for that little plug. I'll file it away.

I was keeping it open in case anything else happened to my computer. Nothing has, though, so I think I'm all sweet. Go ahead and close the question. I don't really care about whether or not the points are refunded.

Please do so yourself by following the Instructions in the Link I posted above.

Thanks,
rindi,
EE Cleanup Volunteer

Ah ok no worries.

pukunui,

Any issues closing the Q?

Thanks,
rindi,
EE Cleanup Volunteer

Sorry haven't had time.

pukunui,

You don't need much time to close a Q...

Please close it.

Thanks,
rindi,
EE Cleanup Volunteer

pukunui,

You don't need much time to close a Q...

Please close it.

Thanks,
rindi,
EE Cleanup Volunteer

I don't want you to accept my post asking you to close the Q. That isn't a useful answer. Close it properly. Follow the Link I sent earlier, it expalins how to close Q's that weren't answered or that you answered yourself. I'll reopen this so you can properly close it.

Thanks,
rindi,
EE Zone Adviser Storage

Why was that answer accepted?

rindi -- why not just delete this one. Questioner is apparently uncooperative.

I told you I don't have time!

Then I don't have time to answer your questions. We tried to help and that's all the thanks we get.