Quick help with computer not powering on!

User5

Senior member
Jul 24, 2004
215
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Hey, Ive had my computer running perfectly for about 5-6 months now without any problems. Specs are:
AMD 64 3200+ (@2.4ghz)
Asus K8V SE Deluxe
Corsair XMS PC3200 RAM
eVGA 6800GT
160GB Seagate SATA
Antec 550W Power Supply (tru550)

I just recently today added these two blue cathodes into the case, and it was up and running perfectly. While the computer was on, I was just hiding some wires but I dont think anything happened. The connection was loose on the cathodes inverter type thing, so I tried to make sure it was in all the way, and then it just made a spark and a tiny tiny bit of smoke. I turned off the computer, unplugged it, replugged it in and it was okay. Then the computer turned off after a few minutes. I restarted it and then it turned of after a few seconds, and every time I try from now on when I switch off and on the switch on the back of the power supply, everything powers up for a split milisecond and then turns right off again.

Any idea what the problem could be? Could that cathode I added killed the Power Supply in any way possible?? I tried running it without any accessories besides the main things, and it still doesent work. Any ideas on anything that could possibly be making the computer turn off after a split second every time?

Thanks a lot in advance.
 

pcman83

Senior member
Oct 20, 2003
397
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First where was the spark? It sounds to me like something is shorting out. I would try a different power supply. First lesson dont mess with electricity when its on.
 

User5

Senior member
Jul 24, 2004
215
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The spark happened on the wire to the inverter. I wasnt messing around with the elctricity while it was on. I was moving some wires, which I didnt think would be too bad, and I noticed the thing wasnt plugged in all the way, so I nudged it and it made the spark. That right there possibly killed the Power Supply?

I dont have any power supplys just sitting around that I can try out. Is there anything I can do?

thanks
 

db2

Member
Nov 24, 2004
35
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You have a number of possible areas that could now be a problem area due to spark. You could have created problems with cpu , mb , ram , etc. . You need to try a piecemeal approach to see which area it is . Hopefully it is only in one area.
 

User5

Senior member
Jul 24, 2004
215
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Okay, I tried it without the 4-pin 12ATX connector at the top, and now all the lights come on and the fans spin. Of course, the computer cant run without it, but I guess that narrows it down to the power supply? I plugged the 4-pin connector back in, and it does the same thing as before, starting up for a split second and then turning off. What does this mean?

Should I just buy a new power supply? This just really, really sucks. :(
 

User5

Senior member
Jul 24, 2004
215
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So I guess its dead.

Should I RMA it with Newegg or Antec?

Im thinking newegg.
 

Dindae

Member
Nov 30, 2004
33
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Did you remove the inverter and tubes and try the PS then? Man, that is a bad thing to happen inside a case. I would think that LAST thing I would worry about was the PS.

Goodl luck!
 

Dindae

Member
Nov 30, 2004
33
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Make sure you're not trying to draw too much power on a pair of molex's from the PS. Like having two HD's on a same pair of molex's or HD and CD-Rom on a pair, etc. This could cause the system to not power up.
 

User5

Senior member
Jul 24, 2004
215
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I just tried a new power supply. Turns out that wasnt the problem either. I get the same problem (didnt even bother with the cathodes)

What the hell else could be the problem? I dont think its the RAM because the same thing happens without any RAM in. Possibly the motherboard? Or the processor? Hopefully the motherboard, because I would like to get something like the DFI board. Anyone know what this problem could possibly be?
 

volrath

Senior member
Feb 26, 2004
451
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Originally posted by: User5What the hell else could be the problem?
Anyone know what this problem could possibly be?

Everything else electrical you just blew up...? I mean mobo and cpu.
 

User5

Senior member
Jul 24, 2004
215
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I think you guys are misunderstanding, or maybe I wasnt clear on what happened.

I pushed on the wire into the inverter thing for the cathode to make sure it was in all the way, and a little spark came inbetween the wire and the inverter. How could this have broken anything else from the CPU or the Motherboard? It most likely did mess something up, but what was damaged and how did that happen?
 

bfonnes

Senior member
Aug 10, 2002
379
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I have no idea what you are talking about with the inverter thing, but do the fans spin or only for a split second? If so, I think it is a problem with your mobo, try a different one. I have seen a problem where I know the mobo was bad, and the fan would turn on for a VERY short time, then nothing. dead. everything worked with another mobo. Hope this helps

BFonnes