Tech: Lazy computer

Subject: BS: Lazy computer
From: kendall
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 07:47 AM

Here's one for the people who know more about computers than I do.(That's most of you).

Jacqui's computer will not come on. There is a tiny green flashing light in the back of the thing which indicates that it has power, but it will not do anything at all.I'm wondering if there was a power surge when the electricity came back on after the ice storm.

Any ideas?

Subject: RE: BS: Lazy computer
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 07:55 AM

Is there a switch on the side of the screen than turns it on and off? This could have been pressed by mistake, I have done it myself here.

Subject: RE: BS: Lazy computer
From: kendall
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 08:56 AM

There is a tiny light on the monitor which says it is powered.

Subject: RE: BS: Lazy computer
From: bobad
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 09:19 AM

Maybe the power supply blew, is the fan running?

Subject: RE: BS: Lazy computer
From: olddude
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 10:51 AM

Most likely a blown power supply ... I have had that happen after a power surge a couple of times. I had to buy a power backup conditioner. I hope that is not the case

Subject: RE: BS: Lazy computer
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 11:21 AM

Here's a tip that I got from a copy-machine repairman.

When an electronic device goes on the fritz, we push a lot of buttons and switches trying to make it work. This can produce so much static electricity on the circuit boards that the poor machine is paralyzed and can't do anything.

Unplug the machine from the wall and let it sit for a while. With a computer, I would let it sit overnight. Then plug it in again and see what happens.

There have been times when this simple cure solved the problem. At other times, alas, it did not. However, it costs nothing, so why not try?

Good luck.

Subject: RE: BS: Lazy computer
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 01:28 PM

Sometimes mine just sits there when I turn it on. It is live but doesn't start to boot into anything.
One trick that often works is if the CD tray will eject, insert a CD, and push it back in. This seems to kick start the computer and once things are moving, it then boots up normally.
Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: BS: Lazy computer
From: kendall
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 01:57 PM

It does nothing.

Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer
From: bobad
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 03:05 PM

I see a repair shop in your future. If it is the power supply then it's not too big a hit, around fifty bucks.

Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer
From: Newport Boy
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 04:28 PM

If you have a light on the back, that's probably the LED on the motherboard. This means there's an output from the power supply - but it may only be the 5V. This light is usually not affected by the on/off switch.

When you say 'it does nothing', do you mean no lights on the front panel, no fan noise and no disk noise?

If all three, then the switch is not operating - it's not mechanically connected to the power supply, and the electronics may have gone.

If you have a light on the front panel, the switch is working, but the fans and disks all operate on 12V, and so the 12V side of the power supply may be gone.

It's unlikely, but possible, that multiple components would fail at once, so the power supply is the most likely. It's a straightforward job to replace it.

Phil

Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer
From: kendall
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 04:37 PM

No lights in front, no fan no disc noise...nothing.

Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer
From: kendall
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 07:22 PM

Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 08:03 PM

Did you give it a whack yet?

Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 10:23 PM

Not sure "lazy" is the operative term here. How lazy is dead?

Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer
From: John J
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 05:01 AM

Almost certainly the power supply - unless there's been a catastrophic failure elsewhere that's pulling the 12v output down.

Quickest, easiest and cheapest (I like cheapest!) way to test is to take the side off the PC and put it alongside a PC with a similar PSU and then plug the good power supply into the poorly PC.

Or buy one of the rather fancy PC power supply testers (Bernard's got one and it's brilliant!) and connect the power supply to that to test it. They're not at all expensive here in UK - around £20 to £25, and they're a very useful piece of kit to have in your armoury.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer
From: kendall
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 08:34 AM

I tried a different power cord but no joy.

Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer
From: John J
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:58 AM

Changing the power cord is a good step forward but you really need to change the power supply that's inside the computer. I don't know how much or little expertise you've got, but if you're concerned about rigging the power supply from another PC into your faulty one I'm sure there are plenty of enthusiasts around who'll do it for you.

One thing to consider: there are competent and incompetent enthusiasts!

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer
From: kendall
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 11:55 AM

A man should know his limitations, and I know mine. I have a computer guru whom I trust and it is going to his shop today.

Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 12:02 PM

Kendall, the "power supply" is a modular unit at the top and far back of the machine that has its own little cooling fan. It is a simple box to remove and replace. If the fan dies the power supply can overheat and die. Several views in Google.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 12:34 AM

Did you figure this out, or take it to your computer guru?

Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer
From: kendall
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 06:57 AM

I took it to my computer guru yesterday. He said he has been swamped with calls of this kind since the power failure. Apparently, these cheap surge protectors can't hack it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 10:17 AM

Some of these surge protectors come with warranties to replace anything damaged while they're plugged in. I'm sure there is small print to consider, but I usually keep those wrappers just in case the occasion arises to test the warranty.

Meanwhile, the power supply isn't difficult to replace, if it is something you want to consider trying yourself.

Reminds me of a sign I saw in a repair shop one time:

$10 if we repair it
$20 if you started to repair it first
$30 if you help

SRS