Computer fails to power up completely

[kd5]

Specs (self-built):

ASUS P5P800-VM
Intel 3.4ghz Prescott (LGA775)
630W Corsair PSU
4gb G.Skill PC3200 Cas 2.5
160gb WD SE
Windows 7 HP 64-bit

I realize this is an older computer but I don't have the $$$ for a new one so this is what I'm stuck with...

Until 2 days ago this computer was performing admirably for what's in it. Shut down at the end of the day, no problems whatsoever, woke up the next morning, tried to power it up, no video. Further investigation revealed no power light on the front of the computer. Fans spin up so there's power to at least part of the components. Tested the power supply, it tests fine, green lights all. No apparent swollen capacitors on the motherboard.

Power to some of the components but not enough to start this computer up normally, and no power indicator light on the front of the computer.

Anything I can try? I don't think booting with minimal components will help not getting the power indicator light suggests there's bigger problems. I suspect the motherboard has bit the dust.....dammit.

 

[inachu]

pull power cord out from pc.

WHile the power cord is pull out now hold down the power button.
Some computers have a reset button on the power supply in the back. If you have one then press it. If you have a power toggle then switch it off and hold the front power button in for 5 seconds.

Ok we have now totally juiced out the power from the pc and this is known as a cold reset.

Go ahead put the power cord back in and power the pc back up.
80% of the time this will fix your issues.
The remaining 20% means if it does not work you have other serious issues to consider such as bad power supply or the fuse inside the power supply has blown.



If it still does not work properly then stop testing as anything further testing with a bad power supply could damage the rest of your pc.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Power supply testers are worthless as it takes very little output to illuminate the tester diodes. This is why you have to test them using a digital multimeter and read the output on each rail. My money is on the power supply failing and when you try to boot the cold boot inrush current is exceeding what the failed unit can provide. You can try using a lower draw gpu if you have one and see if the condition persists, however the lack of power to the system is a tell tale sign.

 

[Ketchup]

Due to the age, as others have posted, first thing to try would be a new power supply.

 

[kd5]

Thanks guys, I'll give these ideas a try although it will probably be Thursday before I can do anything (been working my ass off lately).

Forgot to mention in my OP that I'd shut everything down, removed the motherboard battery, reset the bios via the the CMOS reset pins, set it back to normal, reseated the battery, tried to boot up, but no change in behaviour.

I've got the 430W Antec PSU I replaced with this 630W Corsair when I upgraded other hardware, that I could try. It was in good running condition when I replaced it, only wanted more power at the time. When I get a chance I'll swap it out, see what happens.

 

[kd5]

pull power cord out from pc.

WHile the power cord is pull out now hold down the power button.
Some computers have a reset button on the power supply in the back. If you have one then press it. If you have a power toggle then switch it off and hold the front power button in for 5 seconds.

Ok we have now totally juiced out the power from the pc and this is known as a cold reset.

Go ahead put the power cord back in and power the pc back up.
80% of the time this will fix your issues.
The remaining 20% means if it does not work you have other serious issues to consider such as bad power supply or the fuse inside the power supply has blown.



If it still does not work properly then stop testing as anything further testing with a bad power supply could damage the rest of your pc.

Tried this while I have the time, didn't work...

 

[Burpo]

Board can still be the problem.. Only way to know is try a dif power supply..

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157338

You can still get a similar board if that one is bad.

 

[kd5]

Finally got to swap out the power supply, same behaviour. It has to be the motherboard...D:

 

[kd5]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157338

You can still get a similar board if that one is bad.

I appreciate the effort, that board might be nice if it suppoorted more than 2gb of memory.

 

[LTC8K6]

I appreciate the effort, that board might be nice if it suppoorted more than 2gb of memory.

Not really with such an old system. I doubt the difference would be noticeable.

 

[Ketchup]

Time to save up. But at least your new power supply will swap over. Mybe you can find something decent on Craigslist.

 

[LTC8K6]

Time to save up. But at least your new power supply will swap over. Mybe you can find something decent on Craigslist.

Yeah, might as well upgrade at this point.

 

[kd5]

For the time being (until I get whatever it is I'm putting in here for the long term), I reinstalled the motherboard I had in here previously, reconnected my 80gb hard drive with XP on it, updated a few things, I'll be good at least until I can get a new motherboard. Got tired of using that laptop.

 

[kd5]

Finally found a P5P800 (full ATX), installed, moved over all my stuff, booted up 1st time, all is fine again. Just hope this lasts longer than 6 mo. this time...