Tech: Explosive computer components ?

Subject: RE: Tech: Explosive computer components ?
From: Amergin
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 02:36 AM

It may be a dying hard drive....have you tried booting up using the installation cd?

Subject: RE: Tech: Explosive computer components ?
From: John J
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 02:17 AM

Sounds like capacitors failing in a switch-mode power supply. They do that sort of thing, especially if old and left for a while.

I would take the lid of the PC case and look for damage, it's probably not worth repairing at component level - PC bits are just so cheap these days.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Explosive computer components ?
From: GUEST,Arthur Stiffy
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 02:08 AM

forgot to mention when I said

"If I switch it back on, I get all the LEDs lighting on the front of the machine as normal,
but only a dead blue screen on the monitor."

that I can also still hear the sound of fans
[and hard drive hopefully ?] spinning up when I switch on.

Subject: Tech: Explosive computer components ?
From: GUEST,Arthur Stiffy
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 01:28 AM

Hi, I just switched on a 7 or 8 year old XP loaded Pentium 4 PC
that I've not used for several months.

It did'nt seem to respond until I flicked the power switch at the back a few times before pressing the front button again.
Then it started loading XP,
but during startup there was a sudden unexpected rapid sequence
of 3 to 6 loud 'pops' similar to the sound of cap guns or party poppers going off.

Then the screen just went blue.

If I switch it back on, I get all the LEDs lighting on the front of the machine as normal,
but only a dead blue screen on the monitor.

So, I pulled the lead out and opened the PC case.
But couldn't smell burning, or see any obvious signs of smoke
or heat damage.
I need to get a better look in bright daylight tomorrow.

Any ideas what the problem might be, and how serious to fix ?

Previously the only real problem with the machine was that the graphics card would occasionally work its way loose
in its socket and cause crashes, or failed start ups.
But all I needed to do was press it back in firm again and restart as OK.

Help apreciated, thanks.