Dead computer? HELP!!

galadial

galadial

galadial

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Joined
5 Jan 2004
Posts
663
I think I may have killed my computer. I was fiddling about replacing an IDE ribbon. After changing the ribbon, the computer would not power up. The PSU fan doesn't spin, it makes no attempt to boot, and no LEDs come on inside the case. Curiously, there is power to the monitor and printer. Does anyone have any ideas what has happened or how to troubleshoot?

I do have a second computer to savlage parts to test - so I could swap out the PSU etc. Any thoughts on how to proceed?
 
Changing an IDE cable shouldn't have hurt anything even if you forgot to remove the power first.

As a first step check that you haven't disturbed anything and try reseating the memory and any add-in cards and perform a bios reset. If that doesn't work try removing the bios battery for half an hour. Obviously unplug/switch off the machine from the mains first.

If basic checks don't work then you need to try stripping the machine down to the bare minimum of components, and if that doesn't work substituting know good parts.
 
Sounds like you have either displodged the ATX power connector to the motherbaord or the case panel connectors (i.e the power switch). Make sure there are no loose connectors to the motherboard.

If still nothing, check the fuss in the plug.

If still nothing, do some simple PSU tests i.e the hotwire test.
 
Thanks guys for all the great support. I eventually sorted the problem. Only when I had removed all the hardware to try and isolate the problem did see two tiny pins which had come loose from the motherboard. This was the front panel power switch. Couldn't figure out which pin was the right way round, so guessed, and everything seems to work. I'm surprised how tough computer parts are - by rights I should have shorted or fused something, but as far as I can tell, no damage done. :)
 
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