My computer is... broken?

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Joined
20 Feb 2004
Posts
155
Location
London, England
One morning I decided to turn on my computer. It was unplugged at the mains. As soon as I plugged it in, the computer turned itself on, without even pressing the on button. However, nothing happend. Nothing loaded up. All the fans are spinning and everything, just nothing comes up. Also the monitor just switches itself off. The computer wont turn off unless I turn off the PSU, or turn it off at the mains.

Any idea's what is wrong?
 
Ambro said:
Im not sure were to get them from although I would not expect it to cost you anymore than £10.
Most CMOS batteries are just normal CR2032 button batteries. You can pick them up in any electrical store, Boots sell them for a couple of quid for a pack of 3.

I can't imagine how this battery running flat in your system could cause the problems you're having though. It sounds much more likely that it's the PSU that is gone, can you test another PSU in your system?
 
When the cmos battery is flat the fans on the computer will still spin and power will go into the motherboard but nothing will come up on the screen so it seems like it is a possibility.

How long have you had the computer for and what make of PSU do you have.
 
Also check the cmos jumper pin to make sure that it is installed correctly, it will tell you were to find this in your motherboard manual, although it is unlikely that this will have moved it is worth checking the simple things first before moving onto more complex and expensive stuff.
 
I agree with Paul, the system should still run even if the battery is dead, i doubt replacing the battery is going to fix your problems, though it may help i do doubt it.
 
Okay I will have a look at these things, although I'm pretty sure the pins wont have moved. I've had the computer about 3 years. The PSU is just the Antec one that came with the case. I can see how the PSU may cause the computer not to turn off, but why would it stop everything from loading?
 
Verted said:
Okay I will have a look at these things, although I'm pretty sure the pins wont have moved. I've had the computer about 3 years. The PSU is just the Antec one that came with the case. I can see how the PSU may cause the computer not to turn off, but why would it stop everything from loading?
well it could fail to boot up if one of the power rails goes down!

ive had the same problem all the fans spin up but it never booted so i just replaced the psu and it was fine business as usual!
 
Verted said:
Is there anyway to test the PSU without just replacing it?
Not that I know of, your probably best off borrowing one of a friend if you can or just get a cheap one and then try and send it back. ;) Although if you have't tried replacing the cmos battery yet then that is a lot cheaper. Also try using just one memory stick at a time and see if that helps. :)
 
Just reseat everything....CPU / RAM / PSU connections etc

Then take the ram out and see if the computer beeps like a mad monkey.

Tel us what happens after that :)
 
Upgrading for Crysis

what do you recommend for playing crysis reasonably?

This is my current spec
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ @2.2ghz AM2
ASUS A8M2N-LA motherboard AM2 1 pci expressx16 up to pc5300 ram
1gb pc4300 ram (2x512)
BFG 8800gts 320mb
500w Jeantech PSU
 
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