computer won't start up

Rollingskies

Rollingskies

Rollingskies

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Joined
13 Nov 2007
Posts
169
Location
Aberdeen
First off the spec:

GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400UDC)
GeForce 8800 GT 512MB
Intel Core 2 Duo E2180 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.00GHz (800FSB) - Retail (overclocked)
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L Intel P35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Enermax 485W PSU

I came back from holiday and it had just stopped working. It starts when i press the power button and then dies a few seconds later. Sometimes it kicks into life again and then dies about 1 second later. There is nothing on the screen to see and there is nothing odd inside to note. The fan doesn't start immediately and it almost appears to have a problem staying on, but because the computer doesn't stay on for longer than 1-2 seconds I can't judge.

However, before this all happened for quite a period of time, when I did start the machine it would start up and 3 seconds later it would cut, then fire up again and would work normally. So basically all that has changed is a quicker cutting time and a failure to get going again.

Any help much appreicated, before I begin the expensive process of buy and trying new parts to find the issue.

My bet is either the processor or its fan and maybe the mobo.
 
it wont be the cpu, it will most lickly to be the psu or the motherboard, also it could be the memory. Start striping it down and put 1 memory in etc, check all cable are in properly
 
Well the PSU gives evidence of life. Initially it was what I suspected as it is about 5 years old, but it looks fine. I'll try moving the ram, but I don't believe it is that. I had a computer that had memory problems and the computer worked fine, but just wouldn't show anything on the screen. Any tests you could recommend?
 
you tried reseting the bios I see this day in day out where there are no post issues and reseting the bios solves this issue?..
 
Last edited:
Rollingskies said:
As I said I can't even get the computer to live for more than 3 seconds and no the screen does not come on in that time.
Click to expand...

looking into you spec more you say you got an overclock on it reset the bios via removing the bios battery on the motherboard see if that helps.. you dont need to have the pc on to do this..
 
I had the same problem and my system blew up. All my components in my pc are dead due to a **** 300watt power supply :(

Good luck in getting it working though :)
 
I took out the battery and put it back in and it made no difference.

I tried putting one of the two memory sticks in another of the 4 slots and then tried the other. No difference.

If the CPU is to blame, will there be any visible signs on it?
 
You need to test it with another known good PSU. Looks can be deceiving and that PSU does not sound like it'd be decent at all after five years. The problem with Power Supplies is that over time they do lose wattage (or it can be perceived as this) as the Capacitors age. 5 Years is a long time to have any sort of power supply if you factor in Capacitor Ageing.

I'd try a known good Power Supply and if that doesn't help, my guess is the Motherboard.

It's just the way you describe it cutting out makes it look like the power supply as Posting does create a fair bit of draw on a power supply and from what you've said it's cutting out just as it starts to draw power for Post.

Until you've tried it with a different power supply there's not much else you can test as that's the most likely culprit and needs to be eliminated from the possibilities to even bother trying anything else.

I have no idea if Enermax are a decent brand PSU, but it shouldn't matter, 5 years is a long time for any Power Supply.
 
thanks for that reply. That was helpful. My problem is that I don't have means to test anything. I could buy a £100 PSU today and install it and my computer might still not work. I could then buy a £120 processor and then it might still not work. Then a £50 mobo. I haven't long had an expensive upgrade to be honest and as a student shelling out all that hurts!

So before I go anywhere, could others comment?
 
Try unplugging the PSU from the mobo and graphics card and jump starting it. IIRC you need to short pins 13 and 14 together (black and green), but you can google that to be sure. If that works try powering the PC on as normal with everything disconnected from the PSU apart from the mobo, including and fans plugged into the mobo (except the CPU one).
 
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