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General discussion (archive)Computer Won't Start!(22 posts)(22 posts)
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Posted April 17, 2010
My parents tell me there was a power outage last night, but power's back up. I hit my power button on my Alienware, and nothing happens. I've tried a new power source, checked my current power source (it's fine), disconnected and reconnected power cables, and it still won't power up! What am i to do? My parent's laptop was plugged in at the same time, and her computer is fine!
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Posted April 17, 2010
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TheCheese33: It was connected to a power strip, and I'm pretty sure it had a surge protector. There are no lights on the back.

For the future, if you've got a reasonably expensive computer, it can be worth investing in a UPS (uninterruptable power supply)- basically an in-line battery that sits between the outlet and your computer. Offers much better surge protection than what you'll find in power strips, and also gives you time to finish whatever you were doing when the power suddenly goes out.
Posted April 17, 2010
Does the PSU and its fan power on if you try to jump start it?
If it starts, congrats your PSU works and something else is broken instead (I'd guess the mother board). Remove the power cable before plugging the PSU back in, if it's running as you reconnect it, stuff WILL fry, and you probably don't want that.
Post edited April 17, 2010 by Miaghstir
Posted April 17, 2010
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Aliasalpha: Any sign of power at all? Beeps, LEDs flashing on?
If it's a laptop, try a different power supply and running it without the battery.
If its a real computer, pull out & reseat the video card, ram & all the power cables (even ones to the HDDs and fans), if the PSU has a power switch flick that a few times and leave the power cable out for 10 minutes
Also try holding the power button for about 30 seconds, I've seen a few power supplies that have an overload safety setting that uses a long hold of the power button to reset it
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TheCheese33: It's a desktop computer. No power signs at all. I'll try the 30 second thing and see how it goes. Another thing; is the mobo expensive enough to where I should just get a whole new, more powerful computer if that's what's wrong?

Depends on the motherboard and where you buy it...
Posted April 17, 2010
Do american plugs have fuses in them? Also looking about with a flashlight inside your computer and in as much of the power supply as you can see to make sure nothing looks like its blown, capacitors especially.
Posted April 17, 2010
The fact that it died after an outage really makes me think that the PSU was fried by a power surge. Was it plugged into a surge protector?
EDIT: don't mind me, i'm chronically late to these threads. also i don't read other responses.
Post edited April 17, 2010 by captfitz
Posted April 17, 2010
Flick the little red switch on the back of your PSU while its plugged in. If sparks and smoke come out than it wasn't your PSU that's broke.
Posted April 18, 2010
Okay I was a bit confused because you said "power source" in your first post. With "power source" you could mean PSU or the power outlet in the wall. The PSU is always one of the first things that can get messed up and broken in such cases but if you meant "power source" as PSU, it will most likely be your mobo.
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General discussion (archive)Computer Won't Start!(22 posts)(22 posts)
(22 posts)