Suspected video card issue, computer won't start up after "pop" sound

[delmontebanana]

Hi guys,

Hope you can help me plan out the best way to troubleshoot my problem later this evening.

My pc started making funny "buzzing" noises whenever I played graphics intensive games and when I'm flipping windows or loading new internet pages/scrolling up and down web pages. However when there was no activity on screen, all was silent.

Opening the case, to identify the problem, I could not tell where the noise was coming from, it sounded kind of like a wire stuck in a fan when it buzzed, but all wires were clear of my fans.

Last night, whilst on the last boss of my guild raid in the World of Warcraft, my computer "popped" and switched off. It now refuses to even boot up.

So after work this evening, I will try to test the system by taking out the video card as I think that might be the culprit.

Any advice will be much appreciated.

System:
ABIT Fatality FP-IN9 650i-SLI
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66Mhz, 800FSB
PowerColor ATI Radeon X1950 XT Extreme SILENT Heatpipe 256MB GDDR3 VIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express)
2 x 2GB GeiL DDR800 Ram
1 x Sata HD (Samsung brand)
1 x IDE (Maxtor)
600 Watt PSU (cant remember brand)

 

[delmontebanana]

Oh forgot to add, that the PSU seems to be ok as the Abit mobo Leds are ON when the PSU is turned on...

 

[mpilchfamily]

Sounds like the PSU died on you. Replace it and hope it didn't kill anything.

 

[Old Hippie]

Originally posted by: delmontebanana
Oh forgot to add, that the PSU seems to be ok as the Abit mobo Leds are ON when the PSU is turned on...

That doesn't mean it's not bad.

+1 for faulty PS.

 

[delmontebanana]

Thanks fellas.

It does bewilder me though how it gets power even with a faulty/blown PSU.

If a few capacitors blew up in the PSU still allow for sufficient current to light up the LEDs?

 

[mpilchfamily]

The power indicator on the motherboard is indicating its getting power from the 5v standby rail. Thats the rail of the PSU that is constantly on even when the system is turned off. Its that power the motherboard uses to turn everything else on. Now the problem with the PSU most likely lies on the 12V rail(s). Sure the 3.3V, 5V and 5VSBY may be working but without the 12V rails the system isn't going to do anything. Just because a couple of caps blow doesn't mean the whole PSu is completly dead. But if one voltage rail doesn't work then your system will not power on.

 

[KGB]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
The power indicator on the motherboard is indicating its getting power from the 5v standby rail. Thats the rail of the PSU that is constantly on even when the system is turned off. Its that power the motherboard uses to turn everything else on. Now the problem with the PSU most likely lies on the 12V rail(s). Sure the 3.3V, 5V and 5VSBY may be working but without the 12V rails the system isn't going to do anything. Just because a couple of caps blow doesn't mean the whole PSu is completly dead. But if one voltage rail doesn't work then your system will not power on.

Try pulling the PSU out and sniffing it for any "burnt" odors.
Try a quality replacement PSU and clear the CMOS before powering up.

Good luck and hope that nothing else was taken out with it.

 

[delmontebanana]

Just to tank you guys once again, it was indeed the PSU.

Since the replacement with a quality 700W supply I haven't had any issues whatsoever