So the power to my computer goes dead shortly after I turn it on...

[mephiston5]

The computer will start booting, but the power (seemingly) randomly gets cut, generally before windows can load. It is not re-starting, the power just dies, and I have to wait a min or two before the computer will let me turn it on again.

Does this sound like a bad power supply to you?

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Update: Well, have I have been busy moving so I have unable to mess around with the computer until now...

I tried working on the computer today after it has been sitting unplugged for almost a month. Now the computer will not turn on at all. However, the LED light on the MOBO is on, so I know it is getting at least some power....

Does this lead you to believe I am dealing with a bad PSU, or do you guys still think it could be any number of thing?

Thanks.

 

[Invisible Evil]

Could be 1 of a few things.

Bad PSU, Bad Ram, Bad Mobo, Bad Driver, Bad Video.

Whats your pc specs?

 

[mephiston5]

4400 X2
2 gigs DDR ram
850XL ATI video card
Vista ultimate
DFI nforce mobo
Enermax 535 PSU

 

[Quiksilver]

Does anything inside the case feel hot? Any strange smells? Tried clearing the CMOS and cleaning the case out? Try just the basics (eg. 1 ram stick and video; use a boot disc or something...)

Thing's I'm looking at are:

a) CPU over-heating (could explain why it won't turn on again right after).
b) Bad Memory
c) Bad PSU (This very well could be, Lot's of Enermax PSU's would stop working anywhere from 1 to 3 years later; specially the liberty series, still don't know about their new PRO/MOD series though)
d) Bad Mobo

 

[mephiston5]

See update in first post.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Make sure any USB peripherals are unplugged, if you can - disconnect any cables for case mounted usb ports from the motherboard. If it still won't start, check the rear usb ports for bent or damaged pins. If they're OK, most likely a bad PSU IMO

UB

 

[mephiston5]

Thanks for the idea...tried that but no dice...

Interestingly, I tried resetting the CMOS again, and now the PSU fans are active (even when the power is not "on")...they didn't do that before.

Unless you guys have anything else to add, I'll start picking out a new PSU and hope that does the trick.