Dead PC

[festus]

I tried to turn my computer on this evening and saw a bright flash from inside of the case and then...... nothing. There wasn't any smell or smoke, but now nothing happens when I push the power button. I've tried turning the PSU off and on and trying again, but still nothing.

Would this probably be the MB? I don't see any lights on from inside of the case. I built the PC about a year and a half ago, but have never had any issues with it. Any ideas on how I can diagnose this?

Also, if something did fry, is there a chance that the video card and other components could be damaged as well?

Any ideas or links would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dudewithoutapet]

Well I'm no specialist, but...

I'd start with the PSU, does it turn on and the fans spin and such?
Then try switching out the RAM.
If it seems the fans and stuff are running, then it might be the Video card.
I would honestly test the MB and CPU last just because its always a pain to remove everything for me.

If something did fry, there is a slight chance of it damaging other things but other than a powerful surge, I doubt it.

 

[Swampster]

Open the case and remove the 24-pin power supply plug from the motherboard. plug your AC power cable into the back of the power supply and turn its switch on (if it has one). Take a short piece of wire and jump between the green wire and one of the black wires on the 24-pin cable at the plug. If your power supply is basically useable, this will turn on the fans.

If nothing happens, then go out and get a replacement for your power supply.

While in there, take a good light and look for signs of crowning or bursting on the capacators and for signs of melting and such on the various chips as well as obviously burnt spots where something may have shorted out.

 

[bwatson283]

I wouldn't really recommend the wire between the two pins, just using a spare or a friends psu will be better.

 

[festus]

Problem solved. PSU was indeed the culprit. Nothing else was damaged and it's all working great with a new PSU.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: bwatson283
I wouldn't really recommend the wire between the two pins, just using a spare or a friends psu will be better.

I would, theres nothing wrong with this method

 

[Swampster]

DaBears,

If you will check the scematic on any power supply, you will find that the green wire is intended for this purose. You are not causing any current flow at that point, merely turning it on. I have even used used a paper clip in my bare hands when I couldn't find my short test wire.

If you will peek inside of a standard PSU tester, you will find that the black and green have an internal jumber . . . that is what caused the PSU to turn on so you can get a reading <G>.

As for the "correct" method of testing a PSU, there is nothing touches a digital tester that will test each rail separately. BUT, I am a professional and our writer is likely only a hobbist and as such is not likely to have even an LED PSU tester.