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Computer doesn't start ???
carbonterry2
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June 18, 2013 - 11:14 pm
Member Since: February 17, 2010
Forum Posts: 356
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My business partner turned off his machine and turned off his surge protector (nothing was unplugged) before a big storm with lots of lightning. After the storm passed he "turned on" everything but a no go on start.
When power is turned on (at the back of the machine) a green LED on the motherboard lights but nothing will start. Upon turning off power the LED goes dark. Attempting to start on the front of the machine nothing happens.
Any ideas?

thanks

Jim Hillier
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June 19, 2013 - 1:55 am
Member Since: August 9, 2011
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Are you 100% certain that the operating system is not loading and that it is not just a faulty monitor? Is the hard drive light showing any activity at all?

Definitely sounds like hardware damage Terry. Number one suspect in cases such as this is generally power supply unit but seeing how the mobo light is turning on, that seems improbable here.

I would try bare-boning the machine, that is disconnecting every piece of non-essential hardware. Unplug any USB devices, remove any extraneous cards (such as graphic card), disconnect the optical drive and any additional internal hard drives, and remove all RAM cards except for one in the number one slot. Try running the machine like that and see if it shows any signs of life.

Cheers... Jim

carbonterry2
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June 19, 2013 - 11:58 am
Member Since: February 17, 2010
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Jim,
There's no activity whatsoever...This is a very stripped down machine...one hard drive...no graphics card...will do as you suggest later on....
thanks

carbonterry2
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June 19, 2013 - 11:31 pm
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Did all tests...no go
Tried a known working HDD.....no go
Is there a way to test to see if power supply is putting out "juice" ?

Jim Hillier
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June 21, 2013 - 3:06 am
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Sure, any multi-meter will do that.

The fact that the mobo light is activating indicates that power is being supplied, at least to the mobo. I had a very similar experience with a Win7 machine. Turned off during storm activity but would not boot afterwards, even though the mobo light was active. Turned out to be a faulty graphic card.

If you have tried a different known working internal HDD and still no signs of life, it certainly suggests a faulty PSU.

Maybe one for the repair shop mate.

carbonterry2
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June 26, 2013 - 11:45 pm
Member Since: February 17, 2010
Forum Posts: 356
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Does the fan for the power supply automatically start when "juice" is connected?

carbonterry2
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June 27, 2013 - 12:01 pm
Member Since: February 17, 2010
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nevermind.....duh

carbonterry2
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July 12, 2013 - 4:35 am
Member Since: February 17, 2010
Forum Posts: 356
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Sorry for the delayed response. Replaced power supply and all is well.
Thanks for the help.

Jim Hillier
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July 12, 2013 - 7:14 am
Member Since: August 9, 2011
Forum Posts: 2701
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No problem mate. The PSU sure sounded like the most likely suspect. Glad you got it fixed okay.

Cheers... Jim

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