Hardware Failure

[daniel1113]

Hey guys,

The computer that I custom built over a year ago randomly died today. I was listening to music, and it just shut off. I didn't think much of it, until I smelled something burning and realized it was coming from inside my case. Obviosuly something fried, but I am unable to pinpoint exactly which component it was.

If I press the power button, the power turns on and all of my fans (CPU, case, and chipset) spin up; however, the hard drives do not spin up. Also, I am not getting any video from my Radeon 9800 pro. Therefore, I am pretty sure the motherboard is culprit.

Before I contact Gigabyte to get a replacement, can you think of anything else I should look into? Thanks.

 

[overlordstu]

Nope, I'd agree with your first thoughts of it being a motherboard issue, and get it replaced...

 

[dnoyeb]

Could be CPU could be RAM. Try removing those components one at a time and see if there is any difference in the boot process.
Can you enter the BIOS? Do you heer any BIOS beep codes?

 

[chocoruacal]

The hard drives don't spin up, and people are suggesting to replace the motherboard and CPU...lol. The hard drives should spin up regardless of whether they are even connected to anything. I say buy another power supply and see if that fixes the problem. And whatever you do, don't keep trying to power it on until you've replaced it! You could do some serious damage to your components.

 

[Jeff7]

How old is the motherboard, and what model? (The system rig link in your sig doesn't work for me.)
Check the capacitors on it (cylindrical components). Look for any that are bulging on top, or burst/leaking.

 

[daniel1113]

Hey guys,

I have already removed all of the components and replaced them one at a time, but I still have nothing.

To answer some of the above question, the computer does not boot at all... no video, no beeps, no bios. The power led lights up and the fans spin up, but that is all.

I have test the hard drives in another desktop, and they are all four are fine. Therefore, I am pretty sure it is either the PS or the motherboard. I doubt it is the video card, since the computer should at least boot up and beep without one. However, I could be wrong.

Also, I have been unable to locate any abnormal capacitors or burned components.

Now, obviously the simple solutions is to swap out all of the components in question (power supply, video card, motherboard) for ones known to be working, but other than ordering new ones, I do not have extras here at my disposal. Anything else I can try?

I updated my profile, so you should be able to see my system profile now. I will also post the specs below:

Intel Pentium 4 3000MHz @ 800MHz
Gigabyte 8KNXP
2000 MB of Crucial PC3200 (4x512)
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB ATI Radeon
Western Digital WD1200JB SE 120.0 GB @ 7200 RPMS (x3)
IBM 75GB 75GXP Deskstar (75GB)
SM352 52x24x52x16 Combo
Sony DWU-10A10 DVD+/-RW
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX
Antec TruePower 550
Netgear MA311 Wireless Ethernet Card
Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Fern]

Well, you seem to have access to another desktop pc (tested your HDs). Can you not use the psu from that unit?

May sound silly, but have you "smelled the psu". To see if something inside is burnt.

 

[daniel1113]

Well, I was finally able to locate another computer that uses a standard ATX power supply that I switched out for mine. And guess what, it started right up.

For some reason, my Antec TruePower 550 just decided to die on me. Luckily, it's under warranty, but I think I will take this opportunity to get a NeoPower with the modular wires. So, if anyone wants a TruePower 550, let me know, as I plan on selling at as soon as I get a replacement from Antec.

Thanks to everyone