Friends computer suddenly wont turn on, what could be the cause

[jaytone]

He built about a year ago a P4 System with Inwin tower, Asus P4B motherboard, etc. Its been running fine but he turned it off yesterday and it wont start again when you push the power button, nothing, no fans, no lights, etc.

Here is what we checked.

1. The only thing that is lit, is the green light on the motherboard.

2. Pulled the wire that goes from the power switch to the motherboard, off the mother board and tried to short the pins, it wont start.

3. Made sure the power switch on the back of the case is on

4. Its plugged into the wall as usual.

Any ideas ?

 

[Macro2]

Obvious thing is the power supply is bad. Since you bypassed the power switch. Is the voltage selector on 110?

Try another PS.

Mac

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: Macro2
Obvious thing is the power supply is bad. Since you bypassed the power switch. Is the voltage selector on 110?

Try another PS.

Mac

ditto

 

[Cybordolphin]

Believe it or not.... it can actually be the video card. Replace it and try again. A bad video card will cause the PS fan to spin for a split second... then nothing happens. Give it a shot.

Let us know what you find.

 

[OpalFrost98GT]

Disconnect the PS from the Motherboard. On the PS connector there is a green wire...take a paper clip and short the green wire to any black wire. This should turn the PS on if it's good.

 

[jaytone]

Thanks, will all suggestions a try tomorrow.
Appreciate all the help

 

[Cybordolphin]

Jaytone....

What was the trouble?

Let us know how it went.

 

[farmercal]

Jaytone,

I'd like to know what was wrong also. Any progress?

 

[jaytone]

Well. I disconnected the power supply fromt the motherboard and components and used a power supply tester. With only the tester attached to the power supplies main plug, I turned the switch on and the fan on the powersupply started and the light on the tester was green to show it was good.

I then removed the LED wire that goes from the power switch to the motherboard and replugged it in. I then hit the front on switch on the case and it started.

I think the switch is bad. I am waiting to go to a computer show and pick up an ATX switch next week. I told my friend not to power it off completely, only choose Restart instead of Shut down.

It has been running fine so far which leads me to believe its the switch.

 

[Cybordolphin]

You mean the power supply is running fine... or you computer starts up and runs fine AND stable?