Is it dead?

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GM2

GM2

GM2

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Hi

Built a machine c18 months ago - for full spec see: here

Stopped working a couple of days ago. When I press the on switch, the light goes on and the fans spin for less than a second - then nothing.

I've tried shorting the switch - no difference.

Board (P5Q-E) power and re-set lights are on - but no-one's home?

Any ideas? Is is the MB? Can I claim under warranty?

How do I test to find out what it is?

Thanks
 
Have you tried taking the power cable out & leaving it out for a few mins then trying it again.

I had a similar problem before and it worked again after taking the power cable out
 
Try only 1 memory module and try a CMOS reset.

If it is the motherboard then I think you have 3 year warranty.
 
Reset the cmos is a good start.

It's then a case of testing components. Swap the psu out to test if thats causing issues. Run on one stick of ram and alternate them to test.

Welcome to the "joys" of troubleshooting. Update the thread after trying these steps let us know what you find
 
Wow!! 3 (now 4!) replies in seconds - thanks guys!

I removed the MB battery - left it for a minute or two and then re-fitted - no change.

I can't remember if I removed power cable too - but think I did.

Maybe I'll try again and remove 1 stick RAM for good measure.
 
You can try taking the mobo out the case. place it on the box the mobo came with not the antistatic bag!

plug everything in and touch a flathead screwdriver on the 2 power pins for a second to start the system. You could have a short in the case.

You will need to source a PSU if these steps aren't sorting the problem.
 
OK - so, power off; battery out; one stick ram out; wait 5 minutes....

Battery back, power on.... nada. Same as before.

Power off; RAM back in; other one out; power back on.... Still dead.

Where to next?
 
honosuseri said:
You can try taking the mobo out the case. place it on the box the mobo came with not the antistatic bag!
Click to expand...

What a pain!! Total dismantle.

honosuseri said:
plug everything in and touch a flathead screwdriver on the 2 power pins for a second to start the system. You could have a short in the case.
Click to expand...
I have tried this still in the case. No difference.

honosuseri said:
You will need to source a PSU if these steps aren't sorting the problem.
Click to expand...

I only have a very old 'off the shelf' Evesham machine. Is the PSU in that likely to be any use? Otherwise I'd need to buy one - which seems a bit excessive when it might well not be the problem.
 
You can semi test the PSU by linking out the green and black cable on the main Atx connector, I do this with power connections removed and just plug a fan into the molex.
 
I was going to try plugging in the PSU from the Evesham m/c, but the main board connector is 4 pins shorter than the PQ5-E, so I presume the old one is ATX and the P5Q is ATX2 - are they at all compatible?

I'll try connecting a fan across the green/black pins.

EDIT: OK - shorted the pins and PSU fired up. Seems to be OK.
 
Last edited:
No take the mobo out then power on using the screwdriver on the power pins. Doing this in the case makes no difference as the short will still occur your just not using the case switch to power on.

I know it's hassle but you have to eliminate what you can before you have to start spend £s on parts to test or begging to borrow parts for testing
 
OK - now tested out and still dead - is there anything else to try? Or is it time to send something back?


Thanks
 
I am starting to think a possible motherboard problem.

Is your old machine the Evesham able to run as you can try your current psu in that, and te Evesham can work in your current motherboard just use 4 pin cpu power.
 
No - it died some time ago. But the PSU does seem to work. What would I need to plug to where to try the Evesham PSU powering the P5Q?

Thanks
 
If the Evesham has a 4 pin power socket for cpu power, most modern like your have 8 pin, you can still use a 4 pin socket.
And plug the main ATX in.
 
Sorry - can you please clarify that a bit more for me? So, do I plug the 20 pin ATX from the Evesham, into the 24 pin ATX-2 of the P5Q? If so, which of the 24 pins do I plug into?

And do I then also need to plug a separate 4 pin power supply into the P5Q 8 pin? If so, again, which of the 8 pins?

Sorry if it should be obvious.

Thanks
 
No probs, there is only one end the 20 pin ATX connector fits, and the 4 of the 8 pins on the cpu power I think you can only use one side, again this will only fit one way so it's pretty fool proof :p
 
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