Computer wont turn on

[neilm]

My desktop computer is fast becoming an ornament in the room, when I try to switch on the computer it doesn't do a thing.

The weird thing I noticed when I first turned on my computer after coming back from the states, there was a crackling sound inside for about two seconds, I looked inside and didn't notice anything hazardous. THe computer booted up fine about ten times after the incident, until now.

I'm just wondering what the problem could be and if it is even fixable?

Thanks in advance for any helpful responses.


Computer specifications:
2.4 GHz Intel P4
80 WD HDD
Antec True blue PS 430W
Gigabyte 800 Ultra motherboard
1GB RAM corsair

 

[neilm]

Doesn't seem like this is picking up, so as an update of what I have tried up til now:

- Checking all the cables are secure, and the switches/plugs are on.
- Taking out everything connected to the motherboard and slotting them back in again, with the exception of the CPU and GFX card.

I can confirm the PSU fan is dead when attempting to press the power button.

Any fresh ideas would be helpful. I'm guessing it would be the PSU but I don't wanna shell out on something that may not be solving the problem. Which is why I'm asking you peeps.

 

[sswingle]

A crackling sound? I would guess dead PSU.

 

[neilm]

Originally posted by: sswingle
A crackling sound? I would guess dead PSU.

Yea, but it worked for a couple days afterwards, I'd of thought when that type of thing happens it would stop working immediately?

 

[Operandi]

Antec True blue PS 430W

Antecs from that era suffer from a nearly 100% failure rate within 3-5 years.

 

[neilm]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Antec True blue PS 430W

Antecs from that era suffer from a nearly 100% failure rate within 3-5 years.

Wow, that is interesting.... I did not know this at all, and actually does make sense because I built the computer about 6 years ago.

I thought Antec was a reliable model back then (so the cost seem to suggest!). Since now I'm aware of the cause, is there any recommended PSU's I could be looking at for a replacement?

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: neilm

Originally posted by: Operandi

Antec True blue PS 430W

Antecs from that era suffer from a nearly 100% failure rate within 3-5 years.

Wow, that is interesting.... I did not know this at all, and actually does make sense because I built the computer about 6 years ago.

I thought Antec was a reliable model back then (so the cost seem to suggest!). Since now I'm aware of the cause, is there any recommended PSU's I could be looking at for a replacement?

Channel Well built that line for Antec, normally a fairly respected manufacture but obviously screwed up somewhere on that design. Antec has since switched OEMs and I think the majority of their units are built by Seasonic.

Personally I go with Seasonic, FSP, and PCP&C; all three are great PSUs that will probably last far longer than you'll ever need them to. The 300 watt FSP Green would be a good choice for your system.

 

[neilm]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: neilm

Originally posted by: Operandi

Antec True blue PS 430W

Antecs from that era suffer from a nearly 100% failure rate within 3-5 years.

Wow, that is interesting.... I did not know this at all, and actually does make sense because I built the computer about 6 years ago.

I thought Antec was a reliable model back then (so the cost seem to suggest!). Since now I'm aware of the cause, is there any recommended PSU's I could be looking at for a replacement?

Channel Well built that line for Antec, normally a fairly respected manufacture but obviously screwed up somewhere on that design. Antec has since switched OEMs and I think the majority of their units are built by Seasonic.

Personally I go with Seasonic, FSP, and PCP&C; all three are great PSUs that will probably last far longer than you'll ever need them to. The 300 watt FSP Green would be a good choice for your system.

I'm not in the US so the FSP Green isn't available were I am. Can I just get any Seasonic or FSP power supplies? How much Watts would be recommended?

I have a DVD writer, CD writer, GFX card, floppy drive, internal hard drive, 4 fans... (if that helps narrow down the answer).

Question is directed to anyone.

 

[neilm]

Does anyone have any recomendations for a power supply? ANd what volume of watts is necessary?

 

[CKent]

Anything 400+ watts from a reputable manufacturer should be fine. Avoid the cheap namebrands, they artificially inflate their wattage rating and use subpar parts. If you have a PSU that you can use to ensure that this is definitely the problem, you should do so before buying a new one.

 

[neilm]

Originally posted by: CKent
Anything 400+ watts from a reputable manufacturer should be fine. Avoid the cheap namebrands, they artificially inflate their wattage rating and use subpar parts. If you have a PSU that you can use to ensure that this is definitely the problem, you should do so before buying a new one.

Yea unfortunately I don't have any spares to test and determine whether that is the cause or not, but it seems likely - so I can only take a punt and take the gamble really.

 

[OverVolt]

Posting on 5year old Antec TruBlue 430W

lols I broke the universe.

Edit: Actually, reading about this drooping 5v line killing components...

My initial build would only overclock +2Mhz FSB before non-boot, so something was wrong, and I went stock. Eventually my RAID controller died. Then my memory controller slowly died. I had to replace the Mobo.

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

HMMMMMMMMMM

 

[neilm]

Originally posted by: OverVolt
Posting on 5year old Antec TruBlue 430W

lols I broke the universe.

Edit: Actually, reading about this drooping 5v line killing components...

My initial build would only overclock +2Mhz FSB before non-boot, so something was wrong, and I went stock. Eventually my RAID controller died. Then my memory controller slowly died. I had to replace the Mobo.

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

HMMMMMMMMMM

So you are saying it could be more than a power supply problem? Now I'm hestiating on wasting money on a new PSU if i don't need it. What should I do? Ahhhh...

 

[Operandi]

It doesn't really matter at this point. That line of Antec isn't worth re-using even if wasn't the source of the problem. It's too old and wouldn't conform to modern PSU standards for a new system, even if it wasn't known to be un-reliable.

To answer your previous question; yeah I wouldn't hesitate to use any FSP or Seasonic. If you just want a replacement for your current system 300-350 watts would be plenty. If you want something to power a new rig down the road aim for 400 watts +.

 

[OverVolt]

I'd just go for 3 12v rails with about 17A on each.

Make sure they aren't cheating, by saying it's 550w at something like 25C for an operating temperature.

Anyway, what I was saying is that basically my PSU most likely slowly killed my MB. I never could figure out why it died, because it was never shorted out, overvolted/overclocked too far, etc. If 2Mhz Fsb pushed it out of spec out of the box, something was seriously wrong, but I just figured since the P4 3.0Ghz just came out I was just pushing the CPU too hard since it was from the first batch of 3.0 northwoods.

It gives me more respect for this Gigabyte board in here, which so far is tolerating it with no problems.