Tech: Computer is dead

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer is dead
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 05:36 PM

I'll buy some washers.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer is dead
From: Simon G
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 12:55 PM

If its RAM or anything like that the board would run and the BIOS POST would beep out a code for you.

Something is messing with the ATX power switch circuitry -- either the power switch or grounding or similar of the motherboard. Grounding of the motherboard on the case is very common on home built PCs.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer is dead
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 10:31 AM

No beep.
The reason I mentioned the motherboard & 64 bit is that it doesn't match any of the other computers.
I have 3 Gigs of RAM so I'll tinker with them and consider a new board if it doesn't work.
Thanks Richard.
Jim

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer is dead
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 04:15 AM

Do you get a beep from the motherboard now, and if so what does the motherboard manual say that beep is telling you?

On and straight off in a split second sounds like memory, or motherboard. Can you drop the memory out and run memcheck or memtest in a different computer (or might be cheaper to buy and put in the minimum necessary compatible memory, since a computer shop will charge qute a lot to test memory because it takes a long time as memcheck has to access every bit)?

If you have an old PSU lying about it may be worth trying - so long as you are not running huge graphics cards etc and loads of optical drives/hard drives a little old PSU will probably not go bang (but if it does it will take a whole lot of architecture with it).

Much as I hate Vista it is hard to blame it as it sounds as if the machine is not getting to boot Vista!

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer is dead
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 04:00 AM

Shroomz: Here ye go!

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer is dead
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 03:46 AM

Should have mentioned. It's a Biostar board, running Vista Ultimate, 64 bit and the hard drives are Sata so I can't swap them with the other computer.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer is dead
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 03:18 AM

Thanks people.
It's none of the silly things and all of the parts are about 6 months old including the mother board & CPU, the power unit and hard drives.
The power unit works fine in another computer and using a different pwr switch made no difference either.
I removed the battery for a few minutes. Bridged a couple of pins (I forget what they're called for now) as per instructions and the computer turns on but goes off immediately. So at least something happened. That's as far as I got about 3 weeks ago. Would cost me about $40 per hour for a diagnosis. I can replace a lot of parts for less than I'd spend in a shop and may even do that.
Somebody tell Shroomz the name of that Scottish site please. They'll be more than happy to translate for him. Jock???

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer is dead
From: GUEST,Shroomz
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 01:24 AM

Sounds to me it is most likely your RAM or memory. If it comes loose nothing will happen, try reseating everything in your computer and then try it. If that doesn't work then I'd try a different power supply because if it was your CPU, motherboard, etc you'd get some indication from LED lights, POST beeps, or something appearing on your monitor with an error message.

This is where things get very complex and if you don't do this for a living or are an avid computer person I'd just pay someone else or buy a new one.

If the working power supply didn't fix it, I'd build the computer outside of the case because grounding within the case can make it do funky things, I'd use a screw driver to turn it on by touching it between the prongs that are responsible for your power switch. Just remove the jumper and use a screw driver to connect the two prongs. That should turn your computer on outside the case. Refer to the writing on your motherboard or your motherboard manual for that information. If that does not work then I'd put my memory and hdd in a working pc and run diag. tests on them and boot from a CD on the bad PC with Ultimate Boot, Hiren's or something along those lines. I'd disconnect all unnecessary component, such as network cards, video cards if you have on board video, etc. I'd try putting memory in different slots as well. I'd then replace the CPU and heatsink/fan, their usually stable and rarely die unless the heatsink wasn't properly installed or you overclock your CPU. If none of this worked, I'd have to look at it myself and I'd figure it out and you'd pay me to do it because this is what I do for a living,hah. Anyways That's a brief and basic run down of what I'd do, considering the machine is worth it. If the machine is old as crap, I'd take the hard drive out and put it in a working computer. Trash the rest. Run a diag test on the hard drive, if it passed take the stuff I need on it off, if it failed Id use NTFS GetBack or some other various software to recover as much as I could off it, and sometimes their just completely dead at which point your outta luck.

I know Im an outsider and Im here because Im looking for a translation to a song by the Bothy Band, well actually any and all but one in particular. "Is Trua Nach Bhƒuil Mé in Éirinn (click for thread)" is the song. If I could get an English translation of the lyrics I'd be extremely grateful. You can send me the translation(s) to my email, [e-mail] Thank you again very much for your help. Also in return if you have any PC troubles I'd be glad to return the favor with some technical advice and cheap places online to get good parts.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer is dead
From: Gurney
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 12:28 AM

Circuit-breaker button on the multisocket? Damage to the plug into the computer power-supply-unit? Or the silly one, did you knock the switch of the power-supply-unit?

The first thing to do is plug something else into the multi-socket, just to be sure you have power to there. Change the power-lead (from multi-socket to CPU) for the one you're using and flick the PSU switch off-and-on.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer is dead
From: BK Lick
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 11:20 PM

It's probably not going to revive on its own if it's been dead for a
month. Have you tried plugging it in somewhere else? Perhaps that
outlet is not working.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer is dead
From: olddude
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 11:20 PM

Jim
most likely blown power supply ... I seen it before. Just the small surge of unplugging then bang nothing. Usually happens when the power supply has been on its way out for some time. I am assuming however that the outlet is good and the power cord is full seated which I am sure you already checked. One other thing is check the back of your PC. on my Dell is a power on off that is separate from the push button on off in the front. Sometimes this happens on mine at the office and I switch it on and off in the back then push the button and it takes off

Dan

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer is dead
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 11:19 PM

If it is completely dead - Ie no diagnostic lights or beeps I would try, on order -

Fuse
Plug
Lead
Socket
PSU

Good luck

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer is dead
From: Janie
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 11:14 PM

Is the outlet good? Plug not making a good connection?

My laptop apparently died in December, then mysteriously resurrected itself a couple of months later. Apparently had to do with a static charge.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer is dead
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 11:02 PM

Probably afraid of heights..........

Spaw

Subject: Tech: Computer is dead
From: Jim Lad
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 10:59 PM

Don't know why I didn't think to ask here.
I unplugged the computer to bring it upstairs. When I plugged it in again.... nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Any clues? Been a month now.