Computer will not turn on

What happens when you depress the power switch? Any POST codes? Beeps?


"James D" <newsgroopie RemoveThis @nospam.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ktL2c.220311$jH.2227054@twister.tampabay.rr.com...
 > I was using my computer last night, I turned it off and when I woke up
this
 > morning went to turn it on. Nothing happened! I have tried swapping the
 > memory, changing the power supply and switching the video cards. Nothing
 > seems to work. Anyone have any other (wise) suggestions I can try to see
 > what the problem might be?
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Computer will not turn on 

Maybe I should mention I have 2 computers running in the same room on the
same electrical source. The other one is still working fine. Also I don't
know if the last response was meant as a joke but, by wise comments, I meant
wise as in knowledgeable, a.k.a. ideas that might help.

I realize "little" things like live sockets can slip by at times, but I am
A+ certified. While I do NOT claim to know everything, I do have basic
knowledge and resources to do repairs (no testing equipment though) thanks.



"General Schvantzkoph" <schvantzkoph RemoveThis @yahoo.com
 > wrote in message news:pan.2004.03.07.20.22.22.723118@yahoo.com...
 >
 >
 > Is your wall socket live?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Computer will not turn on 

On Sun, 07 Mar 2004 20:34:46 +0000, James D wrote:

 > Maybe I should mention I have 2 computers running in the same room on the
 > same electrical source. The other one is still working fine. Also I don't
 > know if the last response was meant as a joke but, by wise comments, I meant
 > wise as in knowledgeable, a.k.a. ideas that might help.
 >
 > I realize "little" things like live sockets can slip by at times, but I am
 > A+ certified. While I do NOT claim to know everything, I do have basic
 > knowledge and resources to do repairs (no testing equipment though) thanks.
 >
 >
 >
 > "General Schvantzkoph" <schvantzkoph.DeleteThis@yahoo.com
  >> wrote in message news:pan.2004.03.07.20.22.22.723118@yahoo.com...
  >>
  >>
  >> Is your wall socket live?

It wasn't meant as an insult, it's pretty common for people to overlook
the simple things like switches and start looking for a more serious
problem. Wall sockets can be switched, sometimes it's only a single member
of the pair thats on the switched circuit so it's possible to have one
live and one dead socket in a pair. It's also possible for the lights in
the room to be on one circuit and the plugs on another so you could have a
blown circuit breaker and not know it. Finally it can be as simple as a
loose poer cord. If a system won't power up you should always start with
the simplest thing and work your way back. 1) Check that you have power in
the wall. 2) Check that your poser cord is plugged into back of the
system. 3) Check that all of the wires and cables ar well seated on the
motherboard. 4) Check that the front panel switches are good. 5) Check
that you don't have a little piece of metal or a screw causing a short on
your motherboard (the overcurrent sensors in power supplies are pretty
good, if they sense a short they won't power up). If you've done all that
then you might start to suspect the power supply or the motherboard. I'm
betting that you have a loose connection or a short caused by a piece of
debris.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Computer will not turn on 

Sounds like the motherboard has gone. I suggest you take it to someone who
can do some testing for you. The same thing happened to me last month. Like
you, I too have a basic knowledge and resources to do any repairs, but this
one had me stumped so I had to take it to a shop in the end and ultimately
get the mobo replaced. Let us know how you get on.

Cheers.

Si

"James D" <newsgroopie RemoveThis @nospam.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:GHL2c.220313$jH.2228208@twister.tampabay.rr.com...
 > Maybe I should mention I have 2 computers running in the same room on the
 > same electrical source. The other one is still working fine. Also I don't
 > know if the last response was meant as a joke but, by wise comments, I
meant
 > wise as in knowledgeable, a.k.a. ideas that might help.
 >
 > I realize "little" things like live sockets can slip by at times, but I am
 > A+ certified. While I do NOT claim to know everything, I do have basic
 > knowledge and resources to do repairs (no testing equipment though)
thanks.
 >
 >
 >
 > "General Schvantzkoph" <schvantzkoph RemoveThis @yahoo.com
  > > wrote in message news:pan.2004.03.07.20.22.22.723118@yahoo.com...
  > >
  > >
  > > Is your wall socket live?
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Computer will not turn on 

On Sun, 07 Mar 2004 20:34:46 GMT, "James D"
<newsgroopie.TakeThisOut@nospam.yahoo.com> wrote:

 >Maybe I should mention I have 2 computers running in the same room on the
 >same electrical source. The other one is still working fine. Also I don't
 >know if the last response was meant as a joke but, by wise comments, I meant
 >wise as in knowledgeable, a.k.a. ideas that might help.
 >
 >I realize "little" things like live sockets can slip by at times, but I am
 >A+ certified. While I do NOT claim to know everything, I do have basic
 >knowledge and resources to do repairs (no testing equipment though) thanks.

  >> Is your wall socket live?

As you can see from his post, with the initial information you
provided, he had no idea if you had checked something as simply as
current coming out of the end of the cord going to the power supply.

You did put a meter to that female end...correct?

As the General said, its not uncommon for someone to come into the
room...and turn off the light switch that controls only the top
portion of an outlet.

After you check for power to the end of the cord...and that's
okay...check for power at the hot side of the case switch. And then
continue.

If you have power everywhere where expected, you have a component
problem.

And PLEASE don't brag about being A+ certified! It takes away from
your credibility.

Someone who is A+ certified should not be asking this question in the
first place. Or maybe they should be! lol


Have a nice week...

Trent

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Computer will not turn on 

On Sun, 07 Mar 2004 20:19:28 GMT, "James D" <newsgroopie.RemoveThis@nospam.yahoo.com>
wrote:

 >I was using my computer last night, I turned it off and when I woke up this
 >morning went to turn it on. Nothing happened! I have tried swapping the
 >memory, changing the power supply and switching the video cards. Nothing
 >seems to work. Anyone have any other (wise) suggestions I can try to see
 >what the problem might be?
 >

Specifics?

Motherboard make/model
Power supply make/model/wattage (of both)

When you write that "nothing happened", do we take that literally, that no
drives were spinning, no lights or fan(s) turning? If you look at the
power supply fan while pressing the button, does it move even slightly?

Are both power supplies known adequate, name-brand units confirmed to be
in proper working order?

Examine the motherboard for capacitor problems.
Clear (reset) the CMOS.

If still no signs of life then strip system down to nothing but the
motherboard and it's speaker... no keyboard, mouse, memory, video card,
drives... nothing but the board (and CPU with heatsink installed if you're
lazy).

With the board stripped down to nothing, shorting the power-on pin (since
you've unplugged the case connector to the power switch), the power supply
should turn on, it's fan spinning. Use a straw or similar to manually
move the PSU fan to confirm that it's not seized, before trying to power
on.

If the power supply fan doens't come on still, it's clearly a power supply
or motherboard problem. If it does come on, add back parts one at a time
until the offending part is isolated. Take voltage readings at the power
supply connector with a multimeter. With the power supply disconnected
from the motherboard but attached to a hard drive it should turn on when
PS_ON pin (green wire, pin 14, <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://69.36.189.159/usr_1034/atx_on.gif" target="_blank">http://69.36.189.159/usr_1034/atx_on.gif</a> )
is shorted to ground (any black wire or the metal case).<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Computer will not turn on 

On Sun, 07 Mar 2004 18:22:55 -0500, General Schvantzkoph
<schvantzkoph.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote:

 >It wasn't meant as an insult, it's pretty common for people to overlook
 >the simple things like switches and start looking for a more serious
 >problem. Wall sockets can be switched, sometimes it's only a single member
 >of the pair thats on the switched circuit so it's possible to have one
 >live and one dead socket in a pair. It's also possible for the lights in
 >the room to be on one circuit and the plugs on another so you could have a
 >blown circuit breaker and not know it. Finally it can be as simple as a
 >loose poer cord. If a system won't power up you should always start with
 >the simplest thing and work your way back. 1) Check that you have power in
 >the wall. 2) Check that your poser cord is plugged into back of the
 >system.

Over the years, I've run across a couple of machines that I built that
were DOA from defective power cords. Bend them just right, and the
wires inside the cord would make contact...and they'd start up. lol

And I've seen a couple where the wire inside the cord had broken or
burned...with no visible damage on the outside.

As you suggested, you need to check for current before you can check
components.


Have a nice week...

Trent

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Computer will not turn on 

No good reason to immediately suspect motherboard.
Motherboard suggestion was simply wild speculation.
Motherboard power supply controller, or power supply, or power
switch / wire only may be defective - only some potential
suspects. This assumes, as Kony has said, that literally
nothing operates.

So simple to establish integrity of power supply subsystem
faster and without removing anything. But then a most
standard piece of equipment - 3.5 digit multimeter - is
required.

Procedure to isolate failure to power supply, motherboard
controller, or switch is provided in "I think my power supply
is dead" on 5 Feb 2004 in alt.comp.hardware at
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.tinyurl.com" target="_blank">http://www.tinyurl.com</a>\2musa
or "Computer doesn't start at all" in alt.comp.hardware on
10 Jan 2004 at <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://tinyurl.com/2t69q" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/2t69q</a>

Take seconds to identify reason for failure or to verify
power supply subsystem is fully functional. Or spend hours
swapping components - shotgunning - to eventually stumble on a
solution. Using the multimeter, one also learns how the power
supply subsystem operates. One learns nothing useful by
shotgunning.

If power supply subsystem checks out, then Kony's procedure
moves on to other 'suspects'. Unfortunately those other
'suspects' will look defective if power supply integrity is
not first established; which is why good techs start with an
essential tool - a 3.5 digit multimeter.

Trent is correct. Someone who is A+ certified should not be
asking this question. But too often A+ Techs don't even know
how to use a multimeter. Gene is also (embarrassingly)
correct - the defective power cord / wall receptacle. But
then a 3.5 digit multimeter also may have eliminated that as
reason for failure.

Si wrote:
 > Sounds like the motherboard has gone. I suggest you take it to
 > someone who can do some testing for you. The same thing happened
 > to me last month. Like you, I too have a basic knowledge and
 > resources to do any repairs, but this one had me stumped so I had
 > to take it to a shop in the end and ultimately get the mobo
 > replaced. Let us know how you get on.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Computer will not turn on 

Sorry Trent wasn't bragging, just trying to rule out the "simple"
suggestions. and as I stated being A+ certified, I have the basic knowledge
and resources, just no equipment (or $$ to fund my workshop)

 > And PLEASE don't brag about being A+ certified! It takes away from
 > your credibility.
 >
 > Someone who is A+ certified should not be asking this question in the
 > first place. Or maybe they should be! lol


To all the other questions;
Motherboard: Asus CUV4X
Power supply: Antec 250W
Yes there is a live socket, Yes both power supplies were checked and ok.
Even switched power cords.
No, there are no beeps, spinning drives or lights that come on. Wires are
connected snug and proper and I was trying to avoid stripping the case apart
(but did remove all components to troubleshoot) My conclusion, same as Si
mentioned, the Mobo has S.T.B. Will keep you all posted as to the outcome.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Computer will not turn on 

On Mon, 08 Mar 2004 06:09:26 +0000, James D wrote:

 > Sorry Trent wasn't bragging, just trying to rule out the "simple"
 > suggestions. and as I stated being A+ certified, I have the basic knowledge
 > and resources, just no equipment (or $$ to fund my workshop)
 >
  >> And PLEASE don't brag about being A+ certified! It takes away from
  >> your credibility.
  >>
  >> Someone who is A+ certified should not be asking this question in the
  >> first place. Or maybe they should be! lol
 >
 >
 > To all the other questions;
 > Motherboard: Asus CUV4X
 > Power supply: Antec 250W
 > Yes there is a live socket, Yes both power supplies were checked and ok.
 > Even switched power cords.
 > No, there are no beeps, spinning drives or lights that come on. Wires are
 > connected snug and proper and I was trying to avoid stripping the case apart
 > (but did remove all components to troubleshoot) My conclusion, same as Si
 > mentioned, the Mobo has S.T.B. Will keep you all posted as to the outcome.

Try one more thing, turn the case on it's side and shake it a little to
make sure that you don't have a screq rolling around that causing a short.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Computer will not turn on 

If one can afford a power supply, then a digital meter is
peanuts in comparison. So inexpensive and so ubiquitous as to
be sold even in Sears, Home Depot, Radio Shack, and Walmart.
It's only a $25 tool which means every tech can afford one and
should possess one. That tool will report right quick (in
seconds) if problem is power supply controller, power supply,
power switch, power cord, loose connector (cannot be properly
confirmed by visual inspection), etc. Without measurements
(without numbers), then still no logical reason to suspect
motherboard. Motherboard as the problem is only speculation.

James D wrote:
 > ...
 > To all the other questions;
 > Motherboard: Asus CUV4X
 > Power supply: Antec 250W
 > Yes there is a live socket, Yes both power supplies were checked
 > and ok. Even switched power cords. No, there are no beeps, spinning
 > drives or lights that come on. Wires are connected snug and proper
 > and I was trying to avoid stripping the case apart (but did remove
 > all components to troubleshoot) My conclusion, same as Si mentioned,
 > the Mobo has S.T.B. Will keep you all posted as to the outcome.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Computer will not turn on 

If you tried using a known working power supply replacement, then the
motherboard probably failed.

--
DaveW



"James D" <newsgroopie.TakeThisOut@nospam.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ktL2c.220311$jH.2227054@twister.tampabay.rr.com...
 > I was using my computer last night, I turned it off and when I woke up
this
 > morning went to turn it on. Nothing happened! I have tried swapping the
 > memory, changing the power supply and switching the video cards. Nothing
 > seems to work. Anyone have any other (wise) suggestions I can try to see
 > what the problem might be?
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Computer will not turn on 

On Tue, 09 Mar 2004 00:01:44 GMT, "DaveW" <none RemoveThis @zero.org> wrote:

 >If you tried using a known working power supply replacement, then the
 >motherboard probably failed.

Without testing, it could still be anything.

Maybe the new power supply was dual voltage...and he had it set to the
wrong setting.

He needs to buy a meter.


Have a nice week...

Trent

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Computer will not turn on