PC Not Turning On

Danger Phoenix · 23 Mar 2009 at 22:02

I am trying to help a friend who is over 150 miles away troubleshoot a computer problem. Now before I explain the issue, you have to know that she can only use a computer and just about match the cables to the sockets at the back, lol!

Right, last week the machine decided not to power on. Pressing the power button did nothing what so ever - no lights, nothing. At the time I told her to check all cables etc and they were all fine. I told her to unplug everything and the machine worked fine an hour later when everything was plugged back in.

The same problem happened today and it is still not turning on, even after the steps mentioned above were followed.

I am not sure what to advise next. If I was there, I would just open up the computer and give it a good clean out with an air duster hoping that it is something short circuiting inside. The problem is that I can't ask her to do this, because it would be as good as telling her to pour a glass of water into the case

Admiral Huddy · 23 Mar 2009 at 22:04

I've had a PC in today with the same problem. It's a faulty PSU.

Angst · 23 Mar 2009 at 22:04

i guess that removing the cmos battery is not an option then

Nate Silvers · 23 Mar 2009 at 22:05

So it could be somthing like a USB mouse stopping it working? Was it the power cable that caused this because sometimes you need to unplug the power cord to get the pc to come back on. What are the specs?

Danger Phoenix · 23 Mar 2009 at 22:47

She just told me that it beeped a few times when booting one time, which we know as a POST failure. But it doesn't do it again now

fini · 23 Mar 2009 at 22:56

She is experiencing what is called a 'power cut'.

Danger Phoenix · 23 Mar 2009 at 23:02

Admiral Huddy said:
I've had a PC in today with the same problem. It's a faulty PSU.

But the POST Fail beeps came on at one point, so I am not so sure. I need to somehow test the PSU (short circuit the pins).

phill0i said:
i guess that removing the cmos battery is not an option then

Not going to happen, lol!

Nate Silvers said:
So it could be somthing like a USB mouse stopping it working? Was it the power cable that caused this because sometimes you need to unplug the power cord to get the pc to come back on. What are the specs?

I told her to unplug everything, and leave it for an hour. Then only plug in the power cord and monitor cable... still didn't work. It is a fairly old Socket A system

fini said:
She is experiencing what is called a 'power cut'.

Oh be quiet you! I give you the link to this thread hoping you could help, not post one of your stupid comments again

llaadd · 23 Mar 2009 at 23:10

fini said:
She is experiencing what is called a 'power cut'.

you see he forgot to tell her to flip the switch on the wall to give the pc power! LOL

p.s. on a serious note, tell her to check if she has accidentally switched the PSU off via the switch actually on it! and of not this what actually happens when she presses the power button now?

Danger Phoenix · 23 Mar 2009 at 23:14

llaadd said:
you see he forgot to tell her to flip the switch on the wall to give the pc power! LOL

p.s. on a serious note, tell her to check if she has accidentally switched the PSU off via the switch actually on it! and of not this what actually happens when she presses the power button now?

Switch at the back is on and at the moment nothing happens when the power button is pressed

pimper · 2 Apr 2009 at 10:24

faulty psu?

Musty Pie · 2 Apr 2009 at 10:54

im guessing faulty PSU or possible blown caps on the mobo?

is it a pakard bell by any chance?

Corasik · 2 Apr 2009 at 13:30

PSU, possible, bad caps very possible on an older system, corrupted cmos also possible.

Unfortunately checking any of these needs someone with a little common sence

. Your suggestion about cleaning it with an airduster also has merit, but not if the person doing it is just going to get out their vacuum cleaner, or is likely to fill it with water

fastwunz · 2 Apr 2009 at 19:09

Its not a Dell Dimension 2000 series is it?................

Brian Stuart · 2 Apr 2009 at 19:35

Would it be possible to explain how to short out the power cable (green) on the 20 pin connector to ground (black) to test the PSU?

llaadd · 2 Apr 2009 at 20:42

Don't worry, looks like the MB is faulty, fortunately I knew the person also and live a lot closer!! Hopefully the replacement sorts it!