Author Topic: Mah computer, it be dead :| (Read 6250 times)

[BTF]adam · « **on:** October 28, 2008, 06:09:43 AM »

Hi all, I have a problem and I am stumped on how to go about fixing it, there's basically no power in my computer at all. It's always been a little strange where i've had to spam press the on button to get it to start going but this morning there was just nothing at all. I don't have a clue what caused this and i've tried loads of stuff, reseating nearly everything, cleaning, checking the fuses in plugs and all that jazz.

It's safe to say i'm screwed if this isn't fixable because I don't have any money and I'm studying a degree which requires a computer

is there any tests that can determine what the problem is that don't require having it like, ya know.. working? ><

thanks,

adam

QwazyWabbit · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2008, 07:16:49 AM »

You don't say what model computer you have but "spam pressing" the power button would seem to indicate the power button is malfunctioning. Current power supplies (PSU) use a button that "requests" the power supply turn on power to the main board. A bad contact in the switch means no power.

Test the power button with the power plug pulled and an ohm meter across the contacts. Look for zero ohms (continuity) when the button is pressed.

Replace the PSU and power button for starters. This may require replacing the entire chassis/case if it's ancient and spares can't be obtained.

Take it to someone who is studying for a degree in how to fix computers.
Buy him beer AFTER he's fixed it, not while he's fixing it.

[BTF]adam · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2008, 09:51:21 AM »

I don't really know the model since I bought all the parts and put it together myself, unfortunately I don't have any ohm meters around but I'll try to get ahold of one, the case is quite generic and when I went to look at the power button after pulling the front of the case off, I dont think it is replaceable, the wires are just stuck down with massive blobs of glue.

I'm doing that tommorow, but he prefers cider

jägermonsta · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2008, 12:41:18 PM »

meh build a new one,

what's your budget?

X'tyfe · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2008, 01:27:02 PM »

I think I remember... the computer is pretty new isn't? Just the hard drive is not :p
A new switch isn't hard to install, just gotta be sure it fits your case ok I guess

UUD-40 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2008, 04:04:47 PM »

Quote from: adam` on October 28, 2008, 06:09:43 AM

It's always been a little strange where i've had to spam press the on button to get it to start going but this morning there was just nothing at all.
adam

You probably flooded your pc's engine. You should only have to prime it once.

[BTF]adam · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2008, 03:07:53 AM »

Getting on 2 years now I think xtyfe, I've realised that due to the nature of the parts that probably need replacing and the fact that I don't want this to happen again and there's no guarantee that what I have now is able to run what I need to run at a later date I may as well purchase the best part of a new system anyway, fortunately the 6800 gs I have is only a few months old and odds and ends like monitor, kb mouse dvd drive cd drive etc I can re-use. I have a budget of roughly £350 when the bursary comes through.. I really should have applied for a student loan QQ.

so what I'm looking at to get would beeee:

processor
mobo
ram
gfx card (got)
hdd
case and decent psu
couple of case fans (I don't have any atm

)

then the rest i've already got? excuse me asking, its early and I had a brainfart.

X'tyfe · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2008, 08:01:38 AM »

Another computer already? holy shit man
I'm really itching to get myself something new soon as well

fanny · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2008, 02:56:02 PM »

Adam

Based on what you indicated (the spamming the power button and not having access to a DMM), you can follow the 2 wires from the power switch to the small connector on the MOBO, disconnect the connector and jump across the 2 small pins on the MOBO, it is powers up everytime then the switch is bad. Just a quick way to check.

[BTF]adam · « **Reply #9 on:** October 30, 2008, 06:04:57 AM »

Awesome fanny, I'll be giving that a shot shortly! Just wondering if you guys can check over what I am buying to make sure theres nothing retarded I'm missing.

MOBO http://www.ebuyer.com/product/113844 - note this is an SLI board but I don't need/want SLI atm, I can still use a single card in it right?
CPU http://www.ebuyer.com/product/135663
HDD http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124733
CASE http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127584
PSU http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124922
RAM http://www.ebuyer.com/product/98710

I already have a 6800gs, pci-e 16 ofc, monitor, kb mouse cd drive.

anything I've missed?

[BTF]adam · « **Reply #10 on:** October 30, 2008, 08:02:16 AM »

Didn't work unfortunately

Lemonzest · « **Reply #11 on:** October 30, 2008, 08:51:00 AM »

I'd recomend the following system, Intel Core2 systems are a beast at the moment (coming from a previous AMD fanboy here!!)

CPU http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148715 Intel E5200
Mobo http://www.ebuyer.com/product/146717 Asus P5B SE
RAM http://www.ebuyer.com/product/98710 Corsair 2GB XMS
Case http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127584 Coolermaster 330 Elite (yes same one as before, i have one myself)
HDD http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131301 Seagate 250GB 16MB Cache
PSU http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131052 Corsair VX450

Should Whip that Athlon X2 system you posted.

If you really wanna go AMD X2 i suggest you swap the CPU/Mobo for these

Mobo http://www.ebuyer.com/product/140954
CPU http://www.ebuyer.com/product/140713

[BTF]DeathStalker · « **Reply #12 on:** October 31, 2008, 08:08:36 PM »

Adam, according to whats been discussed so far there is only 3 things it could be.
Power Supply, mobo, or anyother assorted part shorted.
Since you have already jumped the mobo power pins with no luck you have instableshed the button is good and you have reseated the CPU and RAM you know it's not that either

First, disconnect EVERYTHING from the motherboard including all expansion cards, even and especially the mouse and keyboard but leave the memory, cpu, power supply, and Moniter cable in NOTHING more.
If you have a mobo with onboard video pull the add in vid card also.

Try to power it up now, if it powers up you have one of the disconnected parts shorting out. If it doesn't then do the following.
Jump the Power Supply itself, pins 14 & 15. They are on the side with the clip.
http://skylab.org/~chugga/mpegbox/pictures/z_mbconatxmain.gif
Stick the jumper wire straight into the connecter with it connected to the mobo. BE CAREFUL to jump the correct ones. 14&15 only.
1. If it Powers up and you can take the jumper out and it stays powered up and you get a bios screen it's simply a disconnected pin on the mobo where the power button leads go.
2. If you have to leave the jumper in to keep it powered but you still get a bios screen the power switch pins are just shorted which will keep giving the power supply the "turn off" signal.
3. If you have to leave the jumper in and you get NO bios screen, 98% chance it's your MOBO, 2% chance it's your CPU or RAM.
These cases are RARELY the RAM or CPU.

[BTF] Reflex · « **Reply #13 on:** October 31, 2008, 08:55:54 PM »

i'm betting on bad power supply

[BTF]adam · « **Reply #14 on:** November 01, 2008, 03:36:19 AM »

Built a new system yesterday so its all gravy, thanks for the help I'll probably try and get my old machine running again at some point but for now i'm enjoying the blazing speeeeeeeeeeed jumping from a 30gb IDE to a 300gb sata2, a 1.8 to 2.8 ghz cee pee you and 2gb's of tasty ram as opposed to 1, makes a massive massive difference.

now to just tackle this cold.

Author Topic: Mah computer, it be dead :| (Read 6250 times)

fanny

El Box de Shoutamente