View Full Version : WTF happened to my pc
xeverex18
12-19-2006, 02:53 PM
It started about a couple weeks ago. I had to press the button a couple of times before the cpu started booting up. Sometimes it didnt even work at all when i pressed the button. Yesterday it was fine, but when i tried to get on the cpu today, it wont even start...
orntar
12-19-2006, 02:55 PM
did it do the boot-up beep?
your cpu is likely dead, time to upgrade.
There are any massive number of things that it could be. I had a similar problem over the summer and got so sick of troubleshooting everything that I said screw it and rebuilt a new machine.
Mr Unoriginal
12-19-2006, 03:04 PM
It could be as simple as the connector from the button to the power on is loose.
gamegirl79
12-19-2006, 03:07 PM
Sounds like a power supply or motherboard issue. I'd start by making sure all the connections going to and from the motherboard are tight, also make sure the memory and cpu are seated correctly.
Arlss
12-19-2006, 03:12 PM
It started about a couple weeks ago. I had to press the button a couple of times before the cpu started booting up. Sometimes it didnt even work at all when i pressed the button. Yesterday it was fine, but when i tried to get on the cpu today, it wont even start...
lol
more info
*yawn*
xeverex18
12-19-2006, 03:22 PM
OK i opened the cpu cover and i saw the green light is on. I took the AC adaptor/plug off and then the green light turned off. I plugged the AC back on again and the green light came on. Therefore, it has nothing to do with the circuit or the plug.
The computer does not boot up. When you press the button to boot up the cpu, is the button suppose to turn on something from the inside? I wanted to open the cpu up more, but i wouldnt even know what to do.
Also what is the point of upgrading? Hope that does not mean get a new pc. I mean it was working FINE 12Hrs ago. Damn i already spent $ to give it a 1.5Memory boost 1/2year ago and $hit dies on me?
I would get a new pc, but too bad i didnt get one on black friday. Now a 2.XX-3.XX Ghz / 2GB of ram would probably cost 800$. I dont have money to spend like that.
stealth1290
12-19-2006, 03:32 PM
OK i opened the cpu cover and i saw the green light is on. I took the AC adaptor/plug off and then the green light turned off. I plugged the AC back on again and the green light came on. Therefore, it has nothing to do with the circuit or the plug.
The computer does not boot up. When you press the button to boot up the cpu, is the button suppose to turn on something from the inside? I wanted to open the cpu up more, but i wouldnt even know what to do.
Also what is the point of upgrading? Hope that does not mean get a new pc. I mean it was working FINE 12Hrs ago. Damn i already spent $ to give it a 1.5Memory boost 1/2year ago and $hit dies on me?
I would get a new pc, but too bad i didnt get one on black friday. Now a 2.XX-3.XX Ghz / 2GB of ram would probably cost 800$. I dont have money to spend like that.
am I the only one confused with your use of the word CPU? CPU is the little chip on your board that computes the ones a zeros, so when you say "open it up" I'm confused do you mean your box? a paticular drive? also what is a 1.5memory boost? is that a gig and a half?
xeverex18
12-19-2006, 03:40 PM
I meant my computer. I removed the screws to open up my computer. Yes 1.5ghz
stealth1290
12-19-2006, 03:42 PM
I meant my computer. I removed the screws to open up my computer. Yes 1.5ghz
still confused 1.5ghz are we talking about RAM or your CPU?
chemical
12-19-2006, 03:43 PM
Check the leads on your power switch, make sure there are solid connections on both ends and it's not covered in dust.
If you can rule that out, it's most likely your power supply.
SOSTrooper
12-19-2006, 03:46 PM
am I the only one confused with your use of the word CPU? CPU is the little chip on your board that computes the ones a zeros, so when you say "open it up" I'm confused do you mean your box? a paticular drive? also what is a 1.5memory boost? is that a gig and a half?
You're not the only one. :) I'm trying not to reply because the description is too vague and will take too much time typing up all the possible solutions to the problem that I think he is talking about.
Though, someone did suggest a good tip, check the button connection between the power button and the motherboard. Also, do the fans go on when the motherboard actually registers the power button being turned on?
Vinny
12-19-2006, 03:50 PM
I'm guessing it's a power supply issue... processors usually don't die unless it runs too hot or unless it's really old. It could be you mobo but that's unlikely.
I'm not sure but I think CompUSA will check some components for free or for a small fee. Or you could find another PS and swap it out with your's.
xeverex18
12-19-2006, 03:53 PM
The power is not at fault. However, the fans do not turn on, they only turn on when the computer boot up.
I guess i will have to check with CompUSA then.
minos1067
12-19-2006, 03:57 PM
I meant my computer. I removed the screws to open up my computer. Yes 1.5ghz
As the above mentioned posts before this one - there can be numerous problems associated with your description. Virus, AdWare, Spyware, bad boot sector/partition, hard drive going bad, fragmented hard drive, many, many problems with that many more solutions.
The best advice I can give you is to back up all of your important data (pictures, music, documents, etc.) onto a CD/DVD and reformat the PC (re-install windows) preferably with the original Windows CD. Immediately update Windows via WindowsUpdate till there are no more updates available (don't surf while doing this and if you're not behind a router, dowload and save the update for SP2 onto a CD to install after your format if you don't have an install with SP2 included--very important as you can get infected just by being connected to the net.) Install drivers not found (Sound Card, Video Card, etc.) then install your one anti-virus program and anti-spyware program(s).
That is the best solution for your description as I am mainly a security guy and see these kinds of problems all of the time where the victim/owner doesn't have a clue of what's going on or why.
edit: intall drivers before windowsupdate.
orntar
12-19-2006, 04:01 PM
The power is not at fault. However, the fans do not turn on, they only turn on when the computer boot up.
I guess i will have to check with CompUSA then.
i assume you mean the power suopply unit? you dont know that its not at fault.
just because some small led comes on when it gets plugged in does not mean there is something else wrong with the psu.
xeverex18
12-19-2006, 04:07 PM
So should i get a new adaptor to make sure the power is not at fault?min
minos - its a hardware problem.
minos1067
12-19-2006, 04:09 PM
you could go with the rest (of the posts where people are just flaming) or you can try the best (solution that i posted already.)
wbc1228
12-19-2006, 04:15 PM
still confused 1.5ghz are we talking about RAM or your CPU?
ahhh....
Did you invent a new type of RAM?
I don't recall seeing any desktop memory that is 1.5ghz.
:)
xeverex18
12-19-2006, 04:27 PM
I meant gigz you know what i meant!
xeverex18
12-19-2006, 04:28 PM
min - do you have any solutions that has to do with the hardware, i cant back anything up if my computer wont start up
forgrim
12-19-2006, 04:54 PM
Sounds like your power supply is absolutely dead, or the pins from the power button to the motherboard came unloose. If you press the power button and nothing happens, it means no power is going through the system at all. Even with bad ram, or a bad cpu...or a bad everything, it should still start up or beep [cept if your motherboard is bad, then it won't start up or start up for <1 second]. I highly suggest disconnecting everything to ur power supply cept all that is necessary (hard drive, connection to mobo/video card) and try booting up again.
If that doesn't work, swap a new power supply in and try booting it up then. If that doesn't work, i'm gonna have to go with motherboard being dead (which seems pretty unlikely to me)
edit: he means computer when he keeps mentioning cpu, everything made more sense when i replaced cpu with the word computer :P
First, keep in mind that you can't always diagnose/fix a computer unless you have some basic (and not so basic) tools and ESPECIALLY known good parts to swap in and out.
If all you have is the dead computer, and nothing else, YOU JUST MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT, no matter how much help we give you. Don't get mad because you don't have the tools to do the job.
If we're going to help you, you're going to have to be very specific about what's happening and what steps you've tried and what happened when you tried those steps. Typing is no fun, I know, but we're not mind readers you know.
That said, I'm going to assume that what's happening is that when you push the power button on the PC nothing happens, nothing on the screen, no beeps, no drive or fan noise....NOTHING. You opened up the case, and saw that the standby power indicator LED on the motherboard was on, so you're at least getting some nominal power from the power supply. If my assumtions are incorrect, LET US KNOW!
You can approach this problem in a number of ways, but I'm going to appoach it in the most basic manner in order to minimize our back and forth with you and to minimize the variables at all steps if possible.
First thing you want to do is to disconnect everything from the motherboard except for the power supply, CPU and the connections to the case. This means removing all the RAM, the PCI/AGP/PCI-E/ISA cards, keyboard, mouse, any USB devices, printers, monitors...anything. All you want to be left with is the CPU in the Motherboard, the power supply connectec and the motherboard connected to the switches and lights and speaker of the case. I would also take the opportunity to RESEAT everything that is still connected to the mobo at this point. Reseating simply means that you disconnect the plug or wire and then plug it right back into the same place. This act refreshes the electrical connections between the parts.
In this configuration, when you push the power button, all you should get are beeps either from the case speaker or a small speaker on the motherboard itself.
Try this and tell us what happens.
minos1067
12-19-2006, 06:08 PM
min - do you have any solutions that has to do with the hardware, i cant back anything up if my computer wont start up
m600 & forgrim sound like they are pretty good in the advice area.
if your PC wont start as they mention, then it will be difficult if you've never messed with any internal parts as you'll probably be too cautious on handling the various cables/parts inside. if there is no power, you would have to remove your hard drive (if you have more than one, remove the one with the at the end of the IDE cable (large ribbon or cable with about a 2.5 inch connection at the end) not the one in the middle of the cable/ribbon.) If you have access to another PC, install yours into it and post back on this thread for more info.
ps - from there you'd be able to access that hard drive and copy/backup whatever info onto another media (hard drive/flash drive/CD/DVD/etc.)
pss - before trying all this disconnect the power cable from the wall and press the power button for 3 seconds to make sure the power supply is discharged and make sure all the cables are snugly fit onto their connections (simply said) then plug it back in and try to power up.
post your results.
xeverex18
12-20-2006, 01:07 PM
I know where all the RAMS are since i put those in myself, but i am not sure where all the other cards and hardwares are located. I do not want to take out anything that shouldnt be taken out. Can you show me some pictures of what is needed to be taken out?
SOSTrooper
12-20-2006, 03:28 PM
How about you take a picture of your computer? And we'll circle the things you should take out for you?
I'm assuming since you have access to a working computer to type this, you should be able to take pictures and upload for us to see.
I know where all the RAMS are since i put those in myself, but i am not sure where all the other cards and hardwares are located. I do not want to take out anything that shouldnt be taken out. Can you show me some pictures of what is needed to be taken out?
Seriously, if you have to ask that question, you have no business messing around inside of your PC. Find a friend who knows something about PC's and ask for help.
forgrim
12-21-2006, 01:01 AM
i agree, my advice stops considering you barely know anything about computers. i love to help, but i don't like to help you cause an electrical fire in your house
chemical
12-28-2006, 06:05 AM
i agree, my advice stops considering you barely know anything about computers. i love to help, but i don't like to help you cause an electrical fire in your house
I love electrical fires. :)
From wikiHow:
http://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-and-Replace-a-Failed-PC-Power-Supply
And this page has pics...
http://www.fonerbooks.com/r_power.htm
It's 4 screws, the ATX connector on your motherboard, and the molex connectors on your peripherals. 15 minute job, tops. Just remember to unplug it from the wall first.
Jewelz23
12-28-2006, 12:23 PM
I know where all the RAMS are since i put those in myself, but i am not sure where all the other cards and hardwares are located. I do not want to take out anything that shouldnt be taken out. Can you show me some pictures of what is needed to be taken out?
have a friend do it then, it would suck taking your PC apart and not knowing how to put it back in time together to join your buddy in Yahoo! checkers later on.