Help, please. A new hardware problem ... (Full Version)

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Larry M. -> Help, please. A new hardware problem ... (12/25/2006 11:34:17)

... at least for me. I'm posting this from my laptop since my custom built, 4 month old, gee-whiz, hi-tech, dual everything desktop machine won't power-up. By that I mean, it simply doesn't turn on - no whirring sound, lights; nothing. Operation/power-down yesterday was normal - no glitches, no slow downs, not one indication something was amiss.

Naturally this wasn't the Christmas gift I expected and will have to involve tech support when working days normalize. In the meantime I'm wondering if anyone has experienced anything like this or has a suggestion how to trouble shoot??!!

I do have good backups, so file integrity is not a major concern but I'd hate to loose an otherwise good machine and go back through the laborious/thankless/time-consuming task of reloading/checking programs. I don't see a fuse panel on the tower unit and, yes, I have checked to make sure the cord is connected.

Is there such a thing as replacing the box internal power supply component gizmo (lost for the correct term) without damaging anything else? Any thoughts/suggestions appreciated [:(]



jaybee -> RE: Help, please. A new hardware problem ... (12/25/2006 13:40:03)

Before you get too drastic, try checking the fuse in the plug.



BobbyDouglas -> RE: Help, please. A new hardware problem ... (12/25/2006 23:14:49)

Call a local computer shop, and ask them if they are able to help you test the PSU. Most local computer repair shops won't charge you if you want something simple like checking a PSU, or swapping out a video card. (They will bring their PSU out to your computer, connect it into the wall outlet, and then replace the single connection to your computer and power on).

Basically, you disconnect the 24 pin PSU connection to the MB as well as all other PSU connections, and then put the new 24 ping connector from the new PSU into the MB. Power on. If it turns on, replace your PSU. (If you end up needing a new one, I have 1 high quality PSU, and 1 low end PSU).



Davejb -> RE: Help, please. A new hardware problem ... (12/26/2006 7:51:34)

First I would get the PSU checked as suggested. A no power condition can be caused by literally anything, bad PSU, bad motherboard, bad components such as network card, modem, and so on.



Larry M. -> RE: Help, please. A new hardware problem ... (12/26/2006 11:16:19)


Jaybee, there is no fuse on my power cord so that option has been eliminated [:'(]

Everything does point at the Power Source so, on the advice of the folks who built the machine, I have a Ultra X-Connect (X2) 550 watt component on order from TigerDirect.

The problem stems from a vicious power jolt/outage we had about two weeks ago. It knocked out our phone lines/electricity and whacked the Master Boot Record on my operating system. System brought back up with Acronis 10 + XP Restore Point but, apparently, the power source component was degraded enough to later pack it in. Apparently, as well, my APC X-5 1500 voltage regulator/battery backup wasn't able to handle the spike. And here I thought, somewhat smugly, that I was completely protected. Hah [:@]

As usual, your replies are very much appreciated.




jaybee -> RE: Help, please. A new hardware problem ... (12/26/2006 11:35:51)

quote:

Jaybee, there is no fuse on my power cord so that option has been eliminated :)
Then try a new cord.

quote:

The problem stems from a vicious power jolt/outage we had about two weeks ago.
and you forgot to mention it. In that case Davejb is correct, could be anything that's got fried.



Larry M. -> RE: Help, please. A new hardware problem ... (12/26/2006 12:36:55)

quote:

and you forgot to mention it. In that case Davejb is correct, could be anything that's got fried.


Very uplifting [X(]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the new Power Source will get me back up. The preliminary technical consensus has it that if any other "innards" were fried, I would have immediately experienced a down machine. Time, money (and an on-site service call = more money) will tell.

As to the "you forgot to mention it" comment, I didn't "connect the dots" because of the time elapsed between the power spike and DOA. The object lesson here is, unless someone tells me otherwise, you really can't "buy" protection (APC X5 1500 cost $200 US) against this type of event. I have several business interests requiring computer resources, so to say I'm somewhat paranoid contemplating the next "event" would be a gross understatement [:(]



Larry M. -> RE: Help, please. A new hardware problem ... (12/31/2006 15:03:54)

quote:

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the new Power Source will get me back up


Glad to say the new Ultra 550 Watt ATX Power Supply got me back up and with no BIOS tweaks necessary. Strangely, the old 450 watt power supply did not have a "fried" smell so now I can't associate the failure with anything other than a deficient part when the machine was custom built a few months ago.

Thanks to everyone who responded [;)]



jaybee -> RE: Help, please. A new hardware problem ... (12/31/2006 16:12:07)

Have you got an old machine you can stick old supply into to see if it works?

You could go for good UPS but I'm never sure whether that'll end up fried instead and whether it's just cheaper to let the machine go..... assuming you are fully and remotely backed up of course.



BobbyDouglas -> RE: Help, please. A new hardware problem ... (12/31/2006 16:57:03)

Just be lucky it was something simple. Motherboards are a pain to replace, PSUs take just a few minutes.



Larry M. -> RE: Help, please. A new hardware problem ... (12/31/2006 18:24:25)

quote:

Have you got an old machine you can stick old supply into to see if it works?


Jaybee,

On reflection I'm not ruling out the possiblity that your idea to replace the power cord may well have been the fix. The new PSU came with a new cord - the old cord does have an electricially stressed odor and seems somewhat brittle by comparison to the new power cord.



jaybee -> RE: Help, please. A new hardware problem ... (1/1/2007 7:02:59)

[sm=rofl6.gif]



BobbyDouglas -> RE: Help, please. A new hardware problem ... (1/1/2007 15:27:24)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Larry M.

quote:

Have you got an old machine you can stick old supply into to see if it works?


Jaybee,

On reflection I'm not ruling out the possiblity that your idea to replace the power cord may well have been the fix. The new PSU came with a new cord - the old cord does have an electricially stressed odor and seems somewhat brittle by comparison to the new power cord.

- Let's hope you didn't go through all that trouble and bought an entirely new PSU, if it was just a cord that had the problem [8|]



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