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Computer won't turn on?!

  • 20-02-2006 12:25am
    #1
    DubGal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23 ✭


    My windows PC was working perfectly normal until I go to turn it on one day and nothing. I checked all the cables, wires etc, and still nothing. Later on I go to try it again and the hard drive light flashes insanely and starts making an odd noise. What could be the problem? I'm thinking of dropping it up to PC World tomorrow to get it sorted, as I am literally clueless when it comes to things like this. Thanks for any help in advance.


Comments

  • #2
    Single Cell
    Closed Accounts Posts: 21 ✭Single Cell


    Hi... You say the hard drive makes a sound?.. Are you sure the sound you hear is'nt one of your drives... floppy/DVD etc?. What type of PC is it?

    give more info...


  • #3
    sdanseo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,251 ✭✭✭sdanseo


    Methinks it could be a hard drive failure?...how old is it???


  • #4
    Lump
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,984 ✭✭✭✭Lump


    If it was a hard drive failure, it'd get past the bios boot and then tell you the drive was nackered. Does the display come on? Can you see it checking the ram etc? Can you get into the bios (Pressing DEL while booting)?

    Do you know anyone that could pop around and have a look? PC World will charge you through the roof for some thing that might be a simple fix!

    John


  • #5
    niallb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,763 ✭✭✭niallb


    To most humans, the "hard drive" is the box you plug the monitor
    and keyboard into. Bear that in mind during diagnosis :-)

    There's a big difference between "nothing" and whirring and flashing
    noises! Is there anything at all on the screen?
    Are you certain that these noises aren't normal for your PC.

    Is there a power light on your screen? Does it come on?
    Is it steady/flashing/orange/green/something else?

    Do any lights come on on the keyboard.
    Press "CAPS LOCK" and see does the light come on.
    Does it go off when you press it again?

    Dubgal, could you make sure that all your other drives,
    as Single Cell said, such as floppy and DVD (particularly floppy
    if you have one as it's the loudest) are empty.

    Power the computer back on and press all the eject buttons you can see. Make sure all the drives are empty and restart.

    How are you posting here? Is that computer near enough to yours to
    try plugging your monitor into it
    if you're getting no sign of life on the screen?

    There'd be quite a few capable people here who could help you
    out a lot cheaper than PC World, and without leaving your
    computer with them for a few nights.

    Answer a couple of these questions, and you'll be well on
    the way to avoiding a visit to PC World!

    Good luck,
    NiallB


  • #6
    DubGal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23 ✭DubGal


    Hi Niallb, the flashing was coming from the little light that indicates the harddrive activity, my computer is an emachines machine. There is nothing on the screen at all, it isn't even the usual start up sound, it's just like a clicking noise I've never heard before. My screen power light works as I've got that plugged in seperatly, it's basically just the machine that won't turn on properly, there's nothing in any drives either. I'm on a laptop posting here.

    I did end up taking the trip to PC World, very helpful man on the desk, recommended a man who specialises in emachines, apparently it's something to do with my motherboard, so fingers crossed he can sort it out for me without any data loss. Thanks everyone for your assistance anyway.


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  • #7
    hobie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,338 ✭✭✭hobie


    Dub .... make a note of what they do to fix it and post the results here for us , will you ? ..... :confused:


  • #8
    Zerolord
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 44 ✭Zerolord


    Just in case anyone is looking for the answer to this problem here it is, even tho it might be abit late for DUBGAL.

    The main problem (as i have just had it happen to myself) is that the power its kicks in. Do not continue to turn on and off the computer as it is the PSU thats knackered. everytime you turn it on and off makes a nice unreulated power surve through your computer so you might damage stuff.

    The only thing that she has probably spent €70 in PC world for them to tell her is that the power supply is knackered and she has to get a new one.

    Now if this doesnt sort of the problem the power supply might have cause damage so the mobo or something else so best thing to do is just go and try and test ever other part of the computer and make sure that everything else is ok with it.

    If still no luck i have no idea what could be wrong with it. I have the same powering on and the HDD light going on and no bios kicking in. Got a new power supply and away i went. If you want a cheap on straight away PC world have some 400W ones for 35 euro but you can get a half price 400w X-Power in maplins for 32 euro if they still have them in stock.


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