Computer problem

[psp83]

Well the PC downstairs stopped working yesterday. I thought it was the PSU but the mobo has the green light on.

What could stop the PC powering up? pressing the button on the front doesn't do anything.

Motherboard dead?

[Rik]

No beeps, Paul? If so, check for anything shorting the mobo to the case.

[psp83]

No beeps, Paul? If so, check for anything shorting the mobo to the case.

Nothing at all. everything seems dead except for that one green light on the mobo.

I took it all apart and put it back together. still the same.

[Rik]

Is the PSU delivering power on all the rails?

[psp83]

dunno. not got a voltage checker, my one is broke.

[Rik]

All you can do, then, is try a spare PSU if you have access to one. If it still won't work, it's probably the mobo.

[psp83]

well i was thinking about getting a package from novatech or something and turning the pc into a server as its quite old and i dont think i can get a mobo that will support the celeron cpu.

[kinmel]

You can check if the power supply will jump start whilst disconnected from the motherboard by following this guide.

If the p/s fan doesn't spin up then the supply is duff, if it does start then follow this flowchart

[Sebby]

Have you tried removing the power plug from the PSU and putting it back? Sometimes it "resets" things.

[psp83]

First thing i did, plus checked to see if power was going through the mains cable and it is.

[LesD]

You can check if the power supply will jump start whilst disconnected from the motherboard by following this guide.

If the p/s fan doesn't spin up then the supply is duff, if it does start then follow this flowchart

The guide is worth a  Alan so have one on me.

I have had a modicum of success on at least one occasion by giving the PSU fan a spin while pressing the PC's on button. Sometimes the back emf this creates can make a difference but if it does work the PSU is definitely on the way out.

[psp83]

is this voltage tester good enuff for computers?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PRO-DIGITAL-MULTI-METER-VOLTAGE-VOLT-TESTER-TESTERS_W0QQitemZ110301761505QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item110301761505&_trkparms=72%3A1301|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[Rik]

Probably, Paul, but there's not a lot of information there.

[psp83]

what should i look for in a voltage tester for a pc?

[Rik]

I'd want to know the accuracy for starters.

[psp83]

Doesn't say that on any i've seen, including amazon.

What should the voltage be anyways? i've forgot, been along time since something like this has happened.

[Rik]

You really want good performance at low voltages. My Fluke gives a 40V scale with a resolution of 0.01V and an accuracy of +/- 0.9%, and a 4V scale with a resolution of 0.001V, same accuracy.

[kinmel]

what should i look for in a voltage tester for a pc?

I use one of these

[Rik]

How do you find them, Alan? Are they sufficiently accurate to diagnose a fault, or simply adequate to test if something is working at all?

[kinmel]

How do you find them, Alan? Are they sufficiently accurate to diagnose a fault, or simply adequate to test if something is working at all?

Works fine, just plug the P/S in and watch for the green lights.

They just pass or fail each rail. 

You need much more serious kit if you want to start repairing/replacing board components though.

Is it worth all the effort though? Power supplies are cheap enough to just throw away these days

[Rik]

So are a lot of computers, Alan.

[kinmel]

So are a lot of computers, Alan.

Well as long as it's not an Apple replacement parts are cheap enough, but then you miss an opportunity to upgrade of course 

[Rik]

Real men don't eat quiche, eh?

[psp83]

I guess the mobo has died.

I've tried the jump start psu thingy and the fan started up.


The PSU tester also showed the +12v green light.

[Sebby]

It does sound like it, Paul. Still, they seem to be fairly cheap these days.