I need some help troubleshooting a computer

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
Ok this is about my gf's computer. Her system clock kept on resetting at every reboot...simple fix - replace her CMOS battery and reset CMOS jumper.

Course of events for background and clarity:
- installed WMP11 via windows update
- tried playing a video file...
- WMP11 did a validation to see if copy of XP is legit. (she might have a pirated copy of XP. not sure...her dad set up the machine for her)
- after that finished, video started playing
- halfway thru noticed that her new keyboard and mouse arent working
- turned comp off via power switch and decided that this would be good time to install a new CMOS battery in her comp
- installed new CMOS battery, cleared CMOS settings via jumper
- put jumper back in 1-2 position and reconnected power wire to PSU
- but as soon as i plugged wire in, comp started up (without me pressing power switch on case). But nothing on screen - vid card connected and VGA cable connected
- Ive tried disconnecting everything - power switch connectors, IDE cables, RAM, sound card, vid card from motherbaord. But as soon as I turn on PSU, CPU fans, case fans, HDs turn on...but nothing posts on the screen. Whats curious is that everything turns on as soon as PSU is getting power - as if motherboard's power on switch is being completely bypassed

took the cmos battery out. waited 2 mins. powered on w/o cmos battery...same thing. took out cmos jumper out completely, powered on...same thing. my question is...why the hell is everything turning on as soon as PSU gets power? everything should turn on via the power switch relay

Ive held down the power button for around 30 seconds when the system powers on by itself. But it stayed on. Power button isnt having any effect whatsoever

Now Im thinking two possibilities - either I discharged some static electricity while replacing her CMOS battery and fried the motherboard (not likely since I grounded myself before working on her comp) or WMP11's XP validation did something. Question is, what happens if XP validation decides that copy of XP isnt legit?

Another possibility is that her PSU isnt working correctly...but she has a fairly new Antec 350W Smart Power supply..

any thoughts? Ideas? I'm at a total loss as to why everything is powering on a soon as PSU is getting power...
thanks in advance
 

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
106
Sounds like you put the jumper in wrong place .. double check everything
you touched inside the computer
 

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
Originally posted by: bruceb
Sounds like you put the jumper in wrong place .. double check everything
you touched inside the computer

i checked and double checked everything...all jumpers are in right place. im at a total loss as to why everything is powering on as soon as system is plugged in. It should power on with the power button
 

lenjack

Platinum Member
Oct 10, 1999
2,706
7
81
there is probably a setting in bios to start the computer after power is reestablished, that is enabled. Look for it and if so change it.
 

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
Originally posted by: lenjack
there is probably a setting in bios to start the computer after power is reestablished, that is enabled. Look for it and if so change it.

its not even making it to BIOS. nothing comes up on the screen. its not posting at all.
 

KGB

Diamond Member
May 11, 2000
3,042
0
0
Have you tried disconnecting the power switch from the pin header and powering up with a small screwdriver (momentarily short the pins)?

This should tell you if it's a bad switch.