Computer Help

sac20

sac20

sac20

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Joined
4 Jan 2007
Posts
17
I don't know much about the insides of a computer so I thought i would see if anyone could help me. My computer has started switching itself off randomly. It just went off one day and when i went to switch it back on it came on for a few seconds and went off. Sometimes when i try it switches on but seems to semi cut out as the blue neon light on my fan flicks on and off but it eventually switches off anyway. When i take the power socket out of the back of the pc and then plug it back in the pc tries to start right away without me pressing the power button on the front so i don't know if the front button may be sticking.The computer also sometimes switches on but the computer screen says no signal is being received. I don't have a clue what is happening and would be grateful for any help. Thanks
 
It does sound like the power button could be stuck.

Generally if you hold the power button in for 4 seconds the computer will switch off. How long does it stay on for before it switches off?
 
sometimes it stays on until everything is loaded and i'm doing something and then it cuts out. I haven't been able to get it to stay on for more than a few seconds recently. The same thing happened a couple of weeks ago so i opened it up and got rid of some of the dust that had accumulated. The computer still wasn't working but as i was putting the side back on i accidently tipped the computer against a table leg and it started working again so it crossed my mind that it might be a loose connection but as i don't have a clue about the guts of a pc i ignored it as it was working. It worked well for about 2 weeks and then just cut out while i was on the internet.
 
If that's the case then just take the side off and unplug any leads you can see and plug them straight back in. Don't worry as they will only fit in the one way.

Also push down on anything that looks like its plugged into the motherboard - graphics card, ram, etc don't be worried about applying a bit of pressure as it's unlikely you'll press hard enough to break anything.

Leave the power cable plugged into the wall with the power off and touch the inside of the case to discharge any static before messing around inside the case though.
 
Pushed everything in and took the back of the power button off and checked everything was ok and as far as i can tell it is. When i initially put the power plug in the back it came on straight away except there was still no signal being sent to the monitor and when i tried to switch the computer off by holding the button in it just switched off for a milisecond and started again without me pressing anything as if there is a constant supply of power. Really don't know whats wrong. Thanks for taking time to help me.
 
sounds to me like either a graphics card fault, or a monitor fault, most likely the latter since your computer probably wouldn't boot at all if the graphics card was on the blink.
 
I've tried taking the graphics card out and putting it back in. I know the graphics card might explain why the screen is receiving no signal(I've tried another monitor that i know works and the same thing happens so i know its not the monitor) but surely this would have no effect on the computer trying to start up every time i plug the power cable in and the constant cutting out and restarting of the system once its started? Again, thanks for your help
 
managed to get a power supply that won't fit in my case but it fits into the motherboard so short term solution to try and rectify problem. When i plugged it in the computer once again came on without me pressing any buttons except this time the screen worked but after about 20 seconds it stopped working. I think i may have a problem with the power button on the front of my computer and the connections involved with that but i don't have a clue where to get wires for it or where to get a new button. Do u have any suggestions?
 
I suggest you go to your MOBO manufactures website and get the lay out for your mobo. Print it out for reference when you are off line.
Trace the wires from your power on button and familiarise yourself with the connection lay out.
It should just be a matter of unplugging and plugging back in but you may notice a short or dodgey connection.
The first thing i would do is disconnect the power on lead and then plug the PSU in. Obviously if this sorts it then that is your problem.
Once you are familiar and have had a play then post back if it's not sorted and give us a better description.

Is it an Asus mobo by the way ?
 
Still trying to get my pc working. Sorry but i really am pretty clueless when it comes to the guts of a pc. Just checked the power supply that i changed to try to get my pc working and it is only 145W when the one that came with the computer is 250W. With the 145W the computer starts and stuff appears on the screen but then it cuts out whereas with the old one it either starts as soon as i push the power cable in but keeps cutting out with nothing appearing on the screen or doesn't start at all. Does it sound like my power supply could be the problem and if so as i'm clueless about what i need what would i be looking for in a new power supply?
 
You'll have to post your specs for that question to be answered mate.
Also how much money do you have laying around ?
 
It's your system specs we need mate so that we can check for power requirements and recommend a PSU that will be up to the job.
 
Ok, like i say i don't know too much about this but i'll try and give u what u want

AMD Athalon XP Processor 3000+ 512kb cache 333MHz FSB

Motherboard: MICRO-STAR MS-6716
Graphics card: nVidia GeForce FX5200 128mb DDR-RAM
Hard Drive: 80GB Ultra ATA 100 interface

DVD ROM Drive
DVD RW Drive

Do u need anything else? Also if i were to upgrade a graphics card what would i be looking for? Thanks again
 
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