PC has blown up - please help !

Big Dee

Big Dee

Big Dee

Associate
Joined
17 Oct 2005
Posts
95
Location
Hampshire
Dell Dimension 4550

During a thunder storm last night with lots of lightening the pc just suddenly switched off. It won't power up again. Nothing happens when I press the power on button. The PC was connected to an 8 socket surgemaster extension lead. All the other devices on the extension lead (phone, monitor, broadband modem) _appear_ to be fine. Monitor switches on/off OK.

I changed the fuse in the plug. When the hardrive is connected to the mains a light does go on inside the hardrive so power is getting into the box.

Can anyone please advise what components I need to check in the PC and
an you tell me what test procedure I should use to try and get to the bottom of the problem.

Thanks a lot.
 
I'd remove/unplug all unneccesary components (RAM, HDD, etc) and then try powering up again. If still nothing then try a different power supply into the MB instead.

If that doesnt work then its most likely the MB which is dead. By the sounds of it you might of got away with just losing the power supply, as even if the MB is dead you should get some sort of response when you plug it in
 
Thanks for your advice, I'll try that.

Also, fyi, when I opened the case, with the powerlead plugged in, there is a small green light on the MB. That's all.

Then, when I use the power switch to try and power on the PC, I get no response whatsoever. The fan in the PSU does not turn and neither does the case fan ie. no noise from within the case. Just thought i'd mention it.

Cheers.
 
If theres a light on then it would suggest that the PSU is supplying power and then its more likely the MB has died. Unforunately Dell MBs in the older PCs aren't standard ones so if would be hard to replace it.
 
OK. If you say the PSU maybe OK, would I not at least hear the fan (in the PSU) ?

If it is the MB that's dies, I guess for this 5 yr old PC it would be worth just repacing it rather than replace any components. Agree?

Cheers
 
You can test if the PSU is OK by removing the big connector from the MB and then using a paperclip to shortout the only green wire with a black one. Don't do this whilst's its plugged in though because you'll probably kill yourself!

If you short those connectors and then plug it in, anything connected directly to the PSU should come alive. If your MB has died then it wouldn't be able to tell the PSU to come alive, which is what your bypassing if you short those connectoes.

If it is the MB then I would agree with you that it would be more hassle then its worth to try and replace it. Best bet would be to recover any components you can, to use in a new build.
 
I unplugged the cable from the MB socket and I can see one green cable and about seven black cables. So not sure which black cable you are referring to.

Thanks again.
 
Yeah, depending on how old your surge protector is, they assume a certain amout of liability if indeed it came from a power surge. Something to note though, it could have come in from your broadband, unless that was going through a surge protector too. A few years ago, during a thunderstorm, lightning hit our cable and everyone's NIC in the house blew. My computer wouldn't boot up, then I removed my PCI Network Card and it worked first time.
 
Big Dee said:
I unplugged the cable from the MB socket and I can see one green cable and about seven black cables. So not sure which black cable you are referring to.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Any. I personally used the one right next to the green one if it helps
 
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