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17 Dec 08 - 07:47 AM (#2517671) Subject: BS: Lazy computer From: kendall 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? |
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17 Dec 08 - 07:55 AM (#2517681) Subject: RE: BS: Lazy computer From: John MacKenzie 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. |
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17 Dec 08 - 08:56 AM (#2517745) Subject: RE: BS: Lazy computer From: kendall There is a tiny light on the monitor which says it is powered. |
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17 Dec 08 - 09:19 AM (#2517765) Subject: RE: BS: Lazy computer From: bobad Maybe the power supply blew, is the fan running? |
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17 Dec 08 - 10:51 AM (#2517825) Subject: RE: BS: Lazy computer From: olddude 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 |
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17 Dec 08 - 11:21 AM (#2517864) Subject: RE: BS: Lazy computer From: GUEST,leeneia 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. |
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17 Dec 08 - 01:28 PM (#2518041) Subject: RE: BS: Lazy computer From: Geoff the Duck 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. |
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17 Dec 08 - 01:57 PM (#2518090) Subject: RE: BS: Lazy computer From: kendall It does nothing. |
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17 Dec 08 - 03:05 PM (#2518168) Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer From: bobad 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. |
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17 Dec 08 - 04:28 PM (#2518253) Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer From: Newport Boy 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 |
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17 Dec 08 - 04:37 PM (#2518263) Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer From: kendall No lights in front, no fan no disc noise...nothing. |
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17 Dec 08 - 07:22 PM (#2518428) Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer From: kendall |
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17 Dec 08 - 08:03 PM (#2518461) Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer From: Stilly River Sage Did you give it a whack yet? |
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17 Dec 08 - 10:23 PM (#2518550) Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer From: Bee-dubya-ell Not sure "lazy" is the operative term here. How lazy is dead? |
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18 Dec 08 - 05:01 AM (#2518663) Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer From: John J 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 |
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18 Dec 08 - 08:34 AM (#2518785) Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer From: kendall I tried a different power cord but no joy. |
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18 Dec 08 - 09:58 AM (#2518860) Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer From: John J 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 |
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18 Dec 08 - 11:55 AM (#2518975) Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer From: kendall 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. |
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18 Dec 08 - 12:02 PM (#2518984) Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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19 Dec 08 - 12:34 AM (#2519517) Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer From: Stilly River Sage Did you figure this out, or take it to your computer guru? |
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19 Dec 08 - 06:57 AM (#2519664) Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer From: kendall 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. |
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19 Dec 08 - 10:17 AM (#2519797) Subject: RE: Tech: Lazy computer From: Stilly River Sage 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 |