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Computer won't power on. PSU failure?

  • 11-03-2005 4:12pm
    #1
    Lyconix
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 455 ✭✭


    Recently I tried to power on my computer, but it failed to power on. I hadn't replaced any components or otherwise been inside the machine - it was working perfectly prior to this incident. The power light comes on, with a hint of green, orange and red in it, but there is no noise or activity aside from the light.

    I tried powering on with the case uncovered, and found that the fan on the CPU spins up a little when the I press the power button, but stops within seconds. Once the computer is 'powered on', I have to hold down the button for 5 seconds to have the light turn off.

    I think it may be PSU failure (the computer is over three years old, and has been heavily used) but I'm not certain. In your opinions, should I go ahead and replace the PSU, or could something else be wrong?

    Thanks in advance for any enlightening replies. :)


Comments

  • #2
    Darwin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,695 ✭✭✭Darwin


    Must be the season for PSU failures :) (I've had one yesterday)... All I can suggest is to borrow another PSU and try it out on your motherboard - it should quickly point to the culprit.


  • #3
    sceptre
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,608 ✭✭✭✭sceptre


    Could be the CPU. My first thought would be the CPU. PSU would be cheaper to replace though so it'd be nice if it was that. If it hadn't powered up at all it could have been frigging anything (I saw one lately that wouldn't power up at all and it was because one pin on the floppy drive was bent and wasn't in the connector (power short or summat, either way it worked when I bent the pin back into place)). We can probably eliminate the graphics card (though reseat it anyway if it's a card rather than onboard just to see) as you'd get some activity if was loose.. And that's all I've got to offer so I'll let them wot know what they're talking about step in.


  • #4
    rsynnott
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,003 ✭✭✭rsynnott


    Lyconix wrote:
    Recently I tried to power on my computer, but it failed to power on. I hadn't replaced any components or otherwise been inside the machine - it was working perfectly prior to this incident. The power light comes on, with a hint of green, orange and red in it, but there is no noise or activity aside from the light.

    I tried powering on with the case uncovered, and found that the fan on the CPU spins up a little when the I press the power button, but stops within seconds. Once the computer is 'powered on', I have to hold down the button for 5 seconds to have the light turn off.

    I think it may be PSU failure (the computer is over three years old, and has been heavily used) but I'm not certain. In your opinions, should I go ahead and replace the PSU, or could something else be wrong?

    Thanks in advance for any enlightening replies. :)

    Does it beep at all? Is there a status display on the case or motherboard?


  • #5
    Spunj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 437 ✭✭Spunj


    A long shot here, but have you checked for a buildup of dust/fluff on any of the components/connectors? I had to give my machine a spring-clean with a compressor recently as it was powering down every so often. Lots of the connectors were caked in that gunk.

    Not sure it would prevent the machine starting, but it could contribute to something shorting out or blowing. 3 years is a long time to have never checked inside a machine :)


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