[unfoix]

Hello all.

One minute my faithful PC was working fine. I shut it down normally, didn't do anything unusual with it that night (that's open to debate of course... ) , I get home from work the next day and it's dead. Completely.

Naturally I'm thinking it's something to do with either the power supply or the on/off switch. Does anyone here have any suggestions of what parts could fail without human intervention. The only thing I can think of was that it was a very hot day, although nothing dangerous I imagine, as the computer was indoors and in the shade.

Advice?

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So far we only know that it was a computer that worked that now doesn't. more details please

[fleamailman]

So far we only know that it was a computer that worked that now doesn't. more details please

[SpectreNZ]

Anything on a PC can fail without human intervention over time. If you are not getting any response at all from the PC, then it's probably the power supply, or mother board. Have you checked all the plugs are in? Something hasn't come lose somewhere? Are you using a multiboard? If you are, is anything else plugged into it, and working? Have you tried changing the slot on the multiboard that the PC is plugged in?

[unfoix]

Yes, I've checked for loose connections everywhere, tried using different power leads, taken the front off it and examined the switch (looks okay).

I know it's almost impossible to solve a problem like this over the internet with information that's basically limited to "OMG my computer was fine and now its not", but that's really the case here. Just wondering if there are any parts that are particularly prone to failing like this.

Other devices from the same power source are working fine, and yes I've changed power sockets.

[SpectreNZ]

Nothing happens at all when you press the power button? No fans start up or anything?

Edited by SpectreNZ, 12 October 2006 - 06:07 PM.

[†Gladiator†]

if you have another computer around you can swap parts and see which one is broken. (the most likely candidates are the PSU, the HD, and the MoBo, or a combination of those.). If you don't have another computer you could pay a comp shop to do it for around 20$. Powersurges can do that to a computer, so if you don't have a surge protector than it's very possible that some part of ur pc was fried.

[fleamailman]

please everyone in posting here always have the poster say clearly, the os, the type and the age, it could well be a laptop, in warrenty that doesn't allow opening it, etc.,;

With luck it is just the power that is gone, that means that your data on the harddrive is still there and recoverable, trouble is that if lightning has got the comp(via either the telephone plug or electirc plug) chances are it has fried fried the comp however, if it is not that and the comp is still under warenty don't even open it, take it back. but if it is passed warrenty, then if you want to test you powersupply with a paperclip, in order to rule it out as a possible cause of the problem, disconnect all the leads, the one to the wall too, bend a paperclip into a U shape, look at the lead that goes from the power supply to the motherboard (ATX PSU's 20-pin motherboard connector), see the green wire line in hole and the black wire line in hole, put the paperclip ends in those holes(green and black) replug mains to the wall, switch on computer


the idea in more detail then
http://www.techarp.c...rtno=268&pgno=0

Edited by fleamailman, 12 October 2006 - 06:48 PM.

[unfoix]

Nothing happens at all when you press the power button? No fans start up or anything?

Nope, no action at all.

I'll try using a healthy power supply with it tonight.

[SpectreNZ]

Sorry about the late reply. I noticed you haven't posted for a few days, so I'm hoping the PSU was the issue, and it's all sorted now. Just for reference though. Fans run directly off the PSU, so if they aren't running, it's most likely a PSU problem.

[unfoix]

Hey. Not entirely solved yet folks, although I have done the paperclip trick with no results, so it's just a matter of purchasing a new PSU. Hopefully the motherboard is all OK...

[bmwboy]

If you need help choosing a good power supply, just post your old PSU's wattage and model back in this topic.

--bmwboy

[†Gladiator†]

I highly suggest you test out the other components before purchasing a new psu spend 10-20 at a local pc store and they should test out the components. No sense in buying a new psu if ur mobo, gfx card, and hd are all fried. In that case you would be considering a new machine.

[unfoix]

A new PSU and alls well.

[fleamailman]

and all thanks to a paperclip

[unfoix]

Hail the Clip!