PC won't turn on

MattU

MattU

MattU

Associate
Joined
6 Feb 2008
Posts
534
Hi,

I need some help debugging this as I'm out of ideas. My HTPC will not turn on, nothing at all spins up when using the power button.

I bought a PSU tester and the PSU seems ok, turns on when using the test tool.

Only have CPU and 1 stick of RAM on the MB.

I've tried clearing CMOS bios using a jumper and removing the battery.

I've tried using the reset switch as a power switch.

Is there anything else I can try or is it likely that the MB has died?
 
Is the motherboard screwed in correctly, it could be shorting when the power button is pressed. Is it touching anything metal such as the motherboard standoffs where there is no screw for it to go in?
 
I'll try taking it out of the case, thanks.

I should have said though this is a PC that has been working for a few years and suddenly faulty, it's not a new build.
 
Ah, might not be the standoffs then, but have a double check just to make sure it's not shorting to be sure. Give the cables a re-seat as well, make sure they'll definitely plugged in.
 
Try taking the power cable (kettle lead) out of the PSU and then re-inserting.
I had a similar problem with my old PC. Turns out the power switch on the case had started to fail.
 
Thanks for the help I tried messing with the power cables a bit before taking the MB out and rather bizarrely it has now started working, but I don't really understand why. I'd been trying these things for ages before posting.

This is what I found:
unplug 24 pin connecter and plug in with PSU turned off = no life (after turning on obviously)
unplug 24 pin connecter and plug in with PSU turned on = life - but turned PSU off and on again and it was dead again.

Edit: I'm not even sure if that could possibly be the issue, perhaps it was coincidental and it's just a loose wire on the 24 pin

I've rebuild it now and Windows started up, but I guess the PSU may be on the way out.
 
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