Help me fix my PC!

Faffer · 3 Oct 2009 at 01:23

My 2nd PC is dead!

It powers up (the fans spin up) but there is no POST, no beeps, no drive activity.

I have tried swapping out the RAM, CPU, graphics card and motherboard, but no joy.

Is it likely to be a dodgy PSU? I don't really fancy spending even more money on extra bits which won't fix it!

Thanks!

cmndr_andi · 3 Oct 2009 at 01:27

PSU certainly seems to be the next logical step. Do you have any PSUs that you could borrow? Maybe from a friend or family member?

Faffer · 3 Oct 2009 at 01:32

Not a spare, but I have one in my main PC which I don't really want to rip out if I can help it.

Is a dodgy PSU likely to be able to power up all the fans (including the ones powered by the motherboard) but not start the PC?

cmndr_andi · 3 Oct 2009 at 01:42

I suggest giving it a go if you do have a PSU available, It may be a hassle but it will be worth it when you either find the PSU is at fault or eliminate it as a problem.

I'm no expert, but i'm guessing a dodgy PSU could turn on the fans and not the system, the fans will run on any old voltage, unlike the mobo.

Nate Silvers · 3 Oct 2009 at 01:43

Clear CMOS and check for bad connections like pins on the motherboard touching each other. What did you do last to the PC?

Faffer · 3 Oct 2009 at 01:48

The last thing I did before it stopped working was attempt to fit a PCI-X card, only to discover PCI-X wasn't the same as PCI, so effectively, I didn't really do anything.

Nate Silvers · 3 Oct 2009 at 01:57

Well yeah it might be the PSU like cmndr_andi said; if you swapped out the motherboard. Try only plugging in the graphics card with the PSU cables and try to boot.

Plec · 3 Oct 2009 at 09:34

Faffer said:
Not a spare, but I have one in my main PC which I don't really want to rip out if I can help it.

Is a dodgy PSU likely to be able to power up all the fans (including the ones powered by the motherboard) but not start the PC?

If you have a multimeter to hand you could test your 'suspect' PSU in situ - although ripping out your other PSU is a definitive test.

Huddy's site has a step by step guide on how to 'Use a multimeter to check your PSU' and one to 'How to check if your PSU is faulty'