System dead, but why?

[RossGr]

This is a old system which seems to have died for no apparent reason.

Abit NF7 / xp2000 cpu / Nvidia 56xx series video card/ antec true power 400w ps.

It was sitting off for several weeks, when I tried to power it up I got nothing.

It seems that the power supply and the mb are both dead, along with 2 80g hard drives.

I tested the power supply in a second system, no power. I also tested the mb with a different ps, no action. With either of 3 different power supplies connected to the mb I do not measure 5V on the POWER OK pin.

My suspicion lies in the case. It has a sticky power button, It was difficult to power on as it would stick down (closed) then 4s later shut down. Could this possibly cause damage if it stuck closed on power off. This would be a continous pull on the standby voltage. I am not sure if this could be a problem or not.

 

[Malak]

Power supply blew and took the rest with it. That system is so old and crappy, I wouldn't count it as a loss. More of an excuse to finally get rid of it.

 

[theevilsharpie]

Computers of that era were plagued by defective capacitors. It wouldn't surprise me if that's why your system won't boot.

 

[RossGr]

I inspected for bulged caps, didn't find any.

I just replaced 4 caps on an even older Gigabyte vp7 mb, it is now working fine. Since the computer was used for simple browsing and wordprocessor stuff it does not need to be latest and greatest.

Does anyone have any input on the stuck power switch hypothesis?

 

[corkyg]

Try replacing the power switch.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Likly it was bad caps. Over time Capacitors degrade. The Electrolite in them starts to dry out do to age and from heat. Capacitors are always the most unreliable component of any electronic device. I wouldn't say that computers or that era where plagued with bad caps its just because of there age the caps are going bad.