Earlier today, I went to my computer to sync my iPod to my computer. I tired to turn on my monitor because I turn it off I when I'm done. When I realized my CPU was off, I bent down and tried to turn it on. I normally leave it on, so I just pushed the button once. Then I pressed it and held it, but still nothing. I recently had a small storm, and the power was out out for about 10 minutes. Its hooked into a power strip/surge protector, with my speakers, monitor, router, and internet box thing. I tried to plug it directly into the wall, it its still won't turn on. Me and my parents have tried to figure it out. This computer holds all my i Tunes, Steam, and just about everything else on it. Any ideas why it won't turn on? Please?
[QUOTE=guitarhero678;17608979]Earlier today, I went to my computer to sync my iPod to my computer. I tired to turn on my monitor because I turn it off I when I'm done. When I realized my CPU was off, I bent down and tried to turn it on. I normally leave it on, so I just pushed the button once. Then I pressed it and held it, but still nothing. I recently had a small storm, and the power was out out for about 10 minutes. Its hooked into a power strip/surge protector, with my speakers, monitor, router, and internet box thing. I tried to plug it directly into the wall, it its still won't turn on. Me and my parents have tried to figure it out. This computer holds all my i Tunes, Steam, and just about everything else on it. Any ideas why it won't turn on? Please?[/QUOTE]
one of your parts got fried. possibly your PSU.
PSU probably went up in smoke. Replace it and you should be up and running unless more shit got fried.
[QUOTE=guitarhero678;17608979]Earlier today, I went to my computer to sync my iPod to my computer. I tired to turn on my monitor because I turn it off I when I'm done. When I realized my CPU was off, I bent down and tried to turn it on. I normally leave it on, so I just pushed the button once. Then I pressed it and held it, but still nothing. I recently had a small storm, and the power was out out for about 10 minutes. Its hooked into a power strip/surge protector, with my speakers, monitor, router, and internet box thing. I tried to plug it directly into the wall, it its still won't turn on. Me and my parents have tried to figure it out. This computer holds all my i Tunes, Steam, and just about everything else on it. Any ideas why it won't turn on? Please?[/QUOTE]
Does your wall outlet work is the first question. Open up your case and take a whiff, if it has a strong rotten smell, your caps in your PSU blew out, replace PSU and call up the company that made your Surge Protector, then call them bitch (+$$$).
[QUOTE=guitarhero678;17608979] Its hooked into a power strip/surge protector, with my speakers, monitor, router, and internet box thing. I tried to plug it directly into the wall, it its still won't turn on. Me and my parents have tried to figure it out. ... Any ideas why it won't turn on? Please?[/QUOTE]
I can suggest maybe 30 - because I know this stuff. Others will blame only what they understand - ie power supply. Is the computer's power supply controller defective? They cannot say. Many do not even know of it.
Nobody can answer your question without some simple measurements from six wires between power supply and motherboard. A multimeter probe touches each wire where it enters a nylon connector on the motherboard. In but a minute, you can have the numbers. The next reply to your post will definitively says what is defective or what is absolutely (without doubt) good. That means you must disconnect nothing. Numbers from the meter will report on things you did not even know exist.
Without those numbers, you only have one other choice. Keep buying parts based upon speculation. It could be this. Might be that. So replace what may be perfectly good parts only on speculation.
Or get the 3.5 digit multimeter that even sells in K-mart, Radio Shack, Lowes, or most any store that also sells hammers. A best price is probably Wal-Mart - less than $18. Why does it sell in these stores? Well, Ipods are too complex for Radio Shack and Lowes customers. Facetious - but the point about complexity is valid. If you cannot use a meter, then a cell phone completely confuses you. That 3.5 digit meter even sells in Sears because even a stove can be more difficult to use.
Get a multimeter and get simple instructions here on how to have a useful reply in the very next post. Or start buying computer parts until something works. Your choice.
[QUOTE=westom;17626228]I can suggest maybe 30 - because I know this stuff. Others will blame only what they understand - ie power supply. Is the computer's power supply controller defective? They cannot say. Many do not even know of it.
Nobody can answer your question without some simple measurements from six wires between power supply and motherboard. A multimeter probe touches each wire where it enters a nylon connector on the motherboard. In but a minute, you can have the numbers. The next reply to your post will definitively says what is defective or what is absolutely (without doubt) good. That means you must disconnect nothing. Numbers from the meter will report on things you did not even know exist.
Without those numbers, you only have one other choice. Keep buying parts based upon speculation. It could be this. Might be that. So replace what may be perfectly good parts only on speculation.
Or get the 3.5 digit multimeter that even sells in K-mart, Radio Shack, Lowes, or most any store that also sells hammers. A best price is probably Wal-Mart - less than $18. Why does it sell in these stores? Well, Ipods are too complex for Radio Shack and Lowes customers. Facetious - but the point about complexity is valid. If you cannot use a meter, then a cell phone completely confuses you. That 3.5 digit meter even sells in Sears because even a stove can be more difficult to use.
Get a multimeter and get simple instructions here on how to have a useful reply in the very next post. Or start buying computer parts until something works. Your choice.[/QUOTE]
well duh we don't know what the problem is. but we can only guess. and he probably has a prebuilt if he calls his computer a CPU. CPU is PART of a computer.
and prebuilts usually have shitty PSU's
so im guessing its his PSU. but a multimeter WOULD help.
Does your CPU have buttons? If so, that's probably the issue.
There's no rotten smell, and I have a multimeter, but its not at my house. Anyway, I'm having somsone come look at it on Monday.
[QUOTE=westom;17626228]Loing ass post[/QUOTE]
Even if you don't have a multimeter, a computer holds the parts needed to test a PSU.
Ok, what the hell is a PSU? And my computer guy said it was probably either the power supply or the motherboard was shot, if that helps because he couldn't come by yet.
[QUOTE=guitarhero678;17700345]Ok, what the hell is a PSU? And my computer guy said it was probably either the power supply or the motherboard was shot, if that helps because he couldn't come by yet.[/QUOTE]
Power Supply Unit
[editline]07:38PM[/editline]
PSU went to hell and possibly took other components with it.
Does the computer show ANY signs of life at all? Lights, fans, anything? Or dead in the water?
If the latter, it's the PSU. It's usually the box in the back and top side of the computer you plug the wall cable into. It's a cheap replacement but a pain due to having to unplug and replug all of your components.
Just to add to the overwhelming response, Most likely PSU.
Maybe extra things.
Most likely PSU, potentially could be other components if there was a power surge, but then your surge protector should be dead too.
maybe chip creep, re-seat EVERYTHING. (Chip creep is when your parts go out of their sockets/ports because of getting hotter and colder (expanding and contracting) which causes them to "creep" out a little which can cause it to not boot)
This pisses me off, a CPU is a part in the computer. A computer can be called a PC or a computer, not a cpu.
[editline]01:04PM[/editline]
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.
Agreed, OP - L2PCTerminology.
Also, you had better hope your PSU isn't some yum-cha brand that passed the surge along to all it's friends.
Boy, that party would be just electrifying.
[QUOTE=Yumyumbublegum;17706539]This pisses me off, a CPU is a part in the computer. A computer can be called a PC or a computer, not a cpu.
[editline]01:04PM[/editline]
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.[/QUOTE]
makes me rage, too :black101:
[QUOTE=ThePunisher1;17705584]Most likely PSU, potentially could be other components if there was a power surge, but then your surge protector should be dead too.[/QUOTE]
Instead we did component analysis before making any such speculation. Most computer failures are manufacturing defects. Many who never learn why failure happens automatically blame what they are told to blame - surges or heat. Manufacturing defects can create failures even years later - ie those famous electrolytic capacitors made with counterfeit dielectric materials.
If surges caused damage, then other appliances would also be damaged. I don't see a long list of surge damaged components. Destructive surges occur typically once every seven years.
Meanwhile the list of defective components can be long - including and not limited to power supply and motherboard.
I've known people who actually thought the word for the actual computer was CPU.
They don't see the box with blinking lights as a computer, just another part of the system.
[QUOTE=trogdor6666;17721184]I've known people who actually thought the word for the actual computer was CPU.[/QUOTE] That box once was only a CPU. All other functions necessary to make a computer were inside other boxes.
Today all those separate boxes are inside the one box. The one box that was once only the CPU is now the entire computer.
All functions that were once in a big box called the CPU are embedded in a single IC - called the CPU - also called a microprocessor - once called a micro- controller.
[QUOTE=westom;17721654]That box once was only a CPU. All other functions necessary to make a computer were inside other boxes.
Today all those separate boxes are inside the one box. The one box that was once only the CPU is now the entire computer.
All functions that were once in a big box called the CPU are embedded in a single IC - called the CPU - also called a microprocessor - once called a micro- controller.[/QUOTE]
kept in these?
[img]http://www.facepunch.com/fp/rating/box.png[/img]
:smile:
Yes, I realize that a CPU is only part of a computer. (Oh, and by the way, when I typed this, it was about 11:00 at night, and my elementary teacher called it the CPU, and thats just the first thing that came to mind.) At least be thankful I use good grammar and spelling.
And no, I don't think it was a power sure, because all the other stuff plugged into the protector works fine.
I'll go re-seat everything.
Ok, I re-seated everything I could find. And if this helps, the PSU has a little green light on the back that turns on when its plugged in, and when I looked at it it was blinking. Usual its just solid green
Oh and is there any way I fried something? The computer is in a little cubby hole thing in the bottom of my desk, where its always been. The fan is on a lot whenever I play games, And I leave my computer on, except when It automatically turns off to install updates or whatever.
[QUOTE=guitarhero678;17728652]And no, I don't think it was a power sure, because all the other stuff plugged into the protector works fine. I'll go re-seat everything.[/QUOTE]
Actually surges work that way. A surge is electricity permitted inside the building and seeking earth ground. With or without an adjacent surge protector, that surge may use that appliance as the destructive connection to earth. And do this same damage in various parts of the building. Because the adjacent power strip protector is not designed to protect from typicallly destructives surges, various appliances may act as surge protectors - destructively.
How does a surge sometimes find earth ground via a computer? Incoming on AC mains. Bypasses protection inside the power supply (due to an adjacent power strip protectors). Destructively to earth ground via a modem or network card. The modem or network card is damaged. The naive blame the surge incoming on phone or cable. Damage was made easier by the protector.
Now, disconnecting and reseating everything may exponentially complicate the problem. You can press down on all connectors to find a loose connection. Other than that, to find the problem faster and with less complications, one takes a minute with the multimeter - as defined. And then the next reply can be accurate - definitive - without those complications.
And again, I don't have a multimeter available. I can check with some neighbors, but that'll have to wait.
And I'm sorry, but I really didn't understand half of that.
[QUOTE=guitarhero678;17733151]And again, I don't have a multimeter available. I can check with some neighbors, but that'll have to wait.
And I'm sorry, but I really didn't understand half of that.[/QUOTE] You don't have to understand any of it. You just do what each sentence says. Never even ask why. And then reams of useful paragraphs answer your problem - definitively. Where has any reply been definitive. That means no more 'it could be this or might be that answers'.
Get a multimeter. Do you have a Wal-mart? Then you have a meter.
Touch the probe to selected wires. First, the purple wire.
Read 3 digit number.
Post all 3 digit numbers.
Have an answer that actually answers your question.
It's not that difficult as long as you do not fear and want to learn from your experience.
If you do not do it, then you will not understand anything posted. Knowledge comes from doing it.
[editline]01:52AM[/editline]
[QUOTE=guitarhero678;17732669]Oh and is there any way I fried something? [/QUOTE]
If you disconneted anything when the power cord was connected to the wall, then you might have created more damage: exponentially complicated the problem. That light only says a power cord is connected. Says nothing else that is useful. If the light is out, the power cord might still be connected. The light on only says something useful - a warning.
The multimeter is somewhere else, and we are cleaning that somewhere else out for the winter soon. SO wait like a day and I'll have one. And no, I would never disconnect something while its plugged in. I'm smarter than that.
[QUOTE=guitarhero678;17732669]Ok, I re-seated everything I could find. And if this helps, the PSU has a little green light on the back that turns on when its plugged in, and when I looked at it it was blinking. Usual its just solid green
Oh and is there any way I fried something? The computer is in a little cubby hole thing in the bottom of my desk, where its always been. The fan is on a lot whenever I play games, And I leave my computer on, except when It automatically turns off to install updates or whatever.[/QUOTE]
What is your PSU. Model and such.
Computer: HP Pavilion a819n
PSU: Bestec ATX-300-12Z
If thats what you meant.
[editline]06:21PM[/editline]
I just found some plugs not plugged into anything, one coming out of the hard drive, and another coming from somewhere else I can't find.
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