Computer Just Shut Off, Now It Won't Post

[Stg-Flame]

I have had this computer since November of 2005 and I have never had any problems like this before. I had my computer on and I was doing homework when everything just shut off - monitor, keyboard, tower, wireless, everything. Well, I thought it was just a normal power surge and I turned my computer back on only to find that it won't post. I heard a sound on the inside like a wire was grinding against a fan, but all of my wires are sleeved.

After opening the case up to check inside, I could find nothing wrong. My GPU fan is spinning, my heatsink is working, my PSU is working... as far as I can tell, everything is working.

I need immediate assistance since I have class tomorrow and all 6 of my papers I have completed over the weekend are due tomorrow for various classes. Due to an unexpected event last month, I am now behind in all of my classes and trying to catch back up.

 

[Strebor]

Could take out the hard drive and put in in another computer, at least you could get your files.

 

[Stg-Flame]

I would love to except I don't have a second computer.

Would my computer overheating cause it to stop posting?

 

[Strebor]

Have you tried another power outlet, it doesn't sound like a heat issue. Where does it stop on the post?

 

[Stg-Flame]

It simply doesn't Post. I start the computer, both the green and the red light come on (which the red one shouldn't) and my monitor is blank. I turned it on and waited a minute just in case it was my monitor. I turned my speakers on and moved the mouse over to my profile and clicked... nothing.

 

[Stg-Flame]

I just went back and tried it again since the computer is completely cold, just in case it overheated. Still won't post.

I plugged my monitor into my 360's VGA Cable to check if my monitor was damaged and my monitor is working fine.

As far as I can tell, all of the peripherals are working fine. Something inside my computer is the problem.

Could it be that one of my RAM sticks died?

 

[Strebor]

Wouldn't hurt to try just one stick, I can't think of what it could be. Usually the CPU fan won't spin if the PSU is shot.

 

[Stg-Flame]

If the PSU is shot, I would think that nothing would work, fans and LED lights included. They all work just fine, so I am baffled.

When I get a response from my buddy on MSN (his dad owns a computer shop) I will go try both sticks of RAM individually.

 

[Stg-Flame]

Alright, this might help.

My PC came with a wattage meter to monitor how much power my PC is consuming. Before my computer died on me, I was at around 700 watts (the meter reads in increments of 10). When I turn on my computer now, it hovers around 200 watts.

Also, my friend's dad said that it is either my PSU or mobo. Judging from the power being used by my computer now compared to before, is it my PSU or mobo?

Oh, and I tried the sticks individually and it didn't work.

EDIT: I am fairly certain that it is my PSU. Regardless if my mobo is working or not, the wattage meter connected to my PSU should still read at full capacity - which it isn't.

Anyways, regardless of what is causing the problems, there is nothing I can do about it tonight so I am going to head off to bed.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Strebor]

Since everything still has power I bet it's the mobo. Not sure how that wattage meter works, but 700 watts is way more than that setup would use, 200 still sounds on the high side. Hope you can find another comp to get your stuff onto.

PSU is an easier fix than the mobo, good luck and goodnight.

 

[Old Hippie]

I heard a sound on the inside like a wire was grinding against a fan, but all of my wires are sleeved.

Even the ones inside the PS? You didn't mention the PS brand, but I'd look there first.

Good Luck!

 

[Atheus]

Just a thought:

My machine went down randomly a couple of months ago with similar symptoms. The first thing I did was check each memory stick on its own, and neither worked, so I assumed the problem was not memory and proceeded to replace almost every other component including the PSU and processor. THIS WAS A BIG MISTAKE. Both memory sticks had gone bad at the same time, possibly due to a motherboard or power failure. The recieved wisdom has been that this *never* happens. One stick at a time. Just shows you not to listen too hard to what other people tell you...

 

[Atheus]

Oh and another thing - 700W?!?!?!?! Surely you jest... I have seen clusters draw less power...

 

[Stg-Flame]

Judging from the meter, it was around 700. Maybe volts, I'm not sure as I never really paid attention to what type of electricity my computer required (I never paid attention in my High School Physics and do not remember volts - watts).

Anyways, I took my computer to a local shop here in town and he showed me that when my mobo died, it took my PSU with it. We exchanged everything else to a new mobo just to test everything out and nothing else was fried. The only thing I am (very) worried about is my HDD. I backed it up a long time ago - before I started college. He said that he will have my computer repaired by 4PM tomorrow.

I really wanted to repair it on my own, but I don't have the time to devote six - seven hours doing a Windows Repair.

 

[Stg-Flame]

Well, I finally got it back up and running. Thanks for all of the advice, but the problem was that my mobo died and decided to take my PSU with it. Got a new WinFast mobo with a mysterious NSpire 450W PSU. I lost a few files either before or during the Windows Repair, but all of my Archived folders (.rar .zip .7z etc.) are now corrupted. Not a big deal as I can just redownload those.

 

[Scottae]

I think it is the other way around your PSU took out your mobo... usually the case and consider yourself lucky

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: Scottae
I think it is the other way around your PSU took out your mobo... usually the case and consider yourself lucky

Exactly ... I've had PSU's fail & cook some/all of the attached components more then once ... consider your self lucky!

 

[xTemperfiedx]

Originally posted by: Captante

Originally posted by: Scottae
I think it is the other way around your PSU took out your mobo... usually the case and consider yourself lucky

Exactly ... I've had PSU's fail & cook some/all of the attached components more then once ... consider your self lucky!

I have seen the same thing happen.