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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
I'd say the PSU or mobo fried. PSU most likely. Get a new one?
Post edited April 17, 2010 by Arteveld
Posted April 17, 2010
It might help if you give more details concerning your specific PC. Such as laptop, notebook, tower, etc.
I only suggest this as the last time I was tasked with trying to fix such a problem (over the bloody phone) it took the person a couple of hours to finally give me relevant information -- in their case, it was a problem that could only be fixed be the manufacturer because their computer was some strange TV/PC hybrid that could not be opened with conventional tools.
But if you can ensure that your current power supply, etc., work by swapping out parts with another similar PC, you could probably get a good idea of where the fault is.
Posted April 17, 2010
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
Post edited April 17, 2010 by Aliasalpha
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

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?
Posted April 17, 2010
Nevermind
Post edited April 17, 2010 by Navagon
Posted April 17, 2010
Yeah, the 30 second button thing didn't work. I am not paying for some Geek Squad idiot to give up on a problem I fixed myself in a few clicks again, so I may let the computer sit for a few hours, and try again. Maybe I'll go see Kick-Ass or something.
Posted April 17, 2010
Try the video card & ram first since they're the things that can definitely stop a system powering on. If that doesn't work, disassemble it completely (including removing the cpu) and reassemble it. By the sound of things it might not do much good but it'll be fun at least
Posted April 17, 2010
First, was it plugged directly into the wall socket without any surge suppression? If so, get a good power strip with surge suppression for the future so less likely to be here again. If so, some companies offer money if you can prove it was a failure of the power strip itself.
Second, are there any lights on inside the computer with it plugged in (e.g. LEDs, maybe the power switch on the back of the computer)?
If nothing it may very well be the power supply. That would be much better than the board itself.
Post edited April 17, 2010 by user deleted
Posted April 17, 2010
If you're computer savvy, then swapping in another power supply should be your first move.
If you're not, I wouldn't turn your nose up at your local PC shop. Get a quote and if it's reasonable then get a diagnosis.
Whether you keep your PC or get a new one depends on the extent of the problem, really (and maybe how old your PC is). If it's just PSU or motherboard, you could feasibly replace those fairly cheap if you get like for like. But you don't know if other parts are damaged too.
Posted April 17, 2010
PSU should be the first thing to replace, as Lucibel said, since nothing starts up.
My PSU kinda... exploded a few weeks ago. After replacing it, I tried turning it on, and I did get some fans spinning and flashing lights, though the CPU fan stopped after a few seconds, and nothing came up on the screen. I replaced the mobo and CPU, and since I decided to get something better, I had to replace the RAM as well (though I suspected that might have survived), then got it up and running.
Posted April 17, 2010
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Faithful: First, was it plugged directly into the wall socket without any surge suppression? If so, get a good power strip with surge suppression for the future so less likely to be here again. If so, some companies offer money if you can prove it was a failure of the power strip itself.
Second, are there any lights on inside the computer with it plugged in (e.g. LEDs, maybe the power switch on the back of the computer)?
If nothing it may very well be the power supply. That would be much better than the board itself.

It was connected to a power strip, and I'm pretty sure it had a surge protector. There are no lights on the back.
I'll try and get the IT guys at my parent's work place to help me fix it, since he's pretty computer-savvy.
Posted April 17, 2010
Strip and down and leave only the processor then boot it and listen for bips; if you don't see the processor coolers moving then it's most likely the PSU or mobo, if it beeps start adding RAM, listen to bips, graphics -> bips, etc.
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.
I'll try and get the IT guys at my parent's work place to help me fix it, since he's pretty computer-savvy.

Did you connect anything else to that surge protector to see if it works? Most surge protectors have a fuse which, when blown out, will make it stop working until you replace the fuse. Because of that surge protector, I kinda wonder if it could really be your mobo since it's supposed to provide ample protection for almost anything except lightning strikes. Also, try another power outlet as well.
If you got power, your ethernet light should burn even if power is turned off - that's inside your PC and is like this in almost any modern PC.
As has been mentioned: unplug ALL USB devices including keyboard and mouse. A bad USB port will often stop a PC from booting.
Post edited April 17, 2010 by Red_Avatar
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.
I'll try and get the IT guys at my parent's work place to help me fix it, since he's pretty computer-savvy.
avatar
Red_Avatar: Did you connect anything else to that surge protector to see if it works? Most surge protectors have a fuse which, when blown out, will make it stop working until you replace the fuse. Because of that surge protector, I kinda wonder if it could really be your mobo since it's supposed to provide ample protection for almost anything except lightning strikes. Also, try another power outlet as well.
If you got power, your ethernet light should burn even if power is turned off - that's inside your PC and is like this in almost any modern PC.
As has been mentioned: unplug ALL USB devices including keyboard and mouse. A bad USB port will often stop a PC from booting.

I have my monitor and speakers plugged into the power strip, and those turn on just fine. But I'll try the USB thing, see if that works.
EDIT: Nope, the computer still didn't start up after I unplugged all USB devices.
Post edited April 17, 2010 by TheCheese33
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General discussion (archive)Computer Won't Start!(22 posts)(22 posts)
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