Tower won't Power at all

[Queenbean]

I've had this problem with my tower for about 6 months now. I shutdown the computer and turn the power off with the button on the tower. I return days later, try to turn it on, and it won't. I'm pressing the button, I pound on the sides, press the button, and it finally comes up after doing this for about 3-5 minutes. So, to solve the problem, I never turn the power off. I turned it off since I was going away for 10 days, and now it will not come up at all. I've pounded and done all the things I've done before...scaring the computer by pulling it out of the desk to try and play around with the cables, it always boots when I'm at that stage. I went through all the motions tonight. Pulled it out, took off all cables, took tower out and opened it up, checked all connections and boards, put it together, and nada. This has been an hour. So, I'm believing this time it's for sure. The power button itself seems to be fine. Any thoughts?

[tjaymadison]

Hi, QB. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif My first thought is that the power outlet is faulty. Can I assume you tried plugging in something else to check it? Try a lamp -- turn it on, and then shake the cord to see if the bulb flickers. Make sure the outlet is not controlled by a wall switch. Don't laugh, I've done it more than once. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

My second guess is that the power switch itself could well be the culprit, especially if you've had the system for more than a couple of years. With the case open, find the wire(s) connecting the power button to the motherboard. Check for clearance (fans, etc.), then wiggle it gently while pushing the power button, or push the wires slightly toward button. If it starts up while doing this, the connection is loose. If the button is removable or accessible, you may be able to correct the problem yourself. If not, you'll probably have to replace the case. I doubt a replacement switch would be available as a separate part, unless the system is a name brand, or the case is a major brand like Enlight.

BTW, were you able to resolve the monitor/video problem with your sister's computer? I didn't see any follow-up in that post. Good luck with yours!


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"When I nod my head, hit it with the hammer."
(Moe, holding nail, to Curly, holding hammer)

[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 04-16-2001).]

[Randy_tx]

I've seen AT style On/Off buttons(switch) fail MANY times...Is this an AT or ATX style setup? You can tell if it is a ATX style- they ALWAYS have the PSII style Keyboard and PSII style mouse right next to each other in the back. Additionally, it could be the power supply is weak.....but more likely the power cord might not be making a good connection into the power supply. Changing a ON/OFF switch is not impossible, but it takes patience for sure! These types of problems are sometimes hard to pin down as you can see by my vagueness.

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Will XP save Me ?

[Queenbean]

I've opened the tower back up and checked the wire connections, wiggling as I tried to power. I'm not completely sure about all the wiring in there, there are some things not connected, but I believe that's typical. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by the AT, ATX deal, but the keyboard connection is a plug in the middle and the mouse is a female connection with the screws on the side. This sounds so intelligent right, excuse my knowledge. I wiggled and pushed the power connection many times too. The cords lead to an enclosed box where the fan is. I didn't want to open it, because there were many warnings printed on there. Colored cords lead back out of it and connect to the board, this is where I wiggled too. It's not the outlet, that was my first thought. I didn't want to bring it somewhere to get fixed as I was just about to get rid of it and give it to my mother. Really sux I have to put money in this old thing. It was born in July of 1997.

Never figured out my sister's computer problem either. Tried just about everything. I told her to bring it somewhere. I'm just striking out all over.

Now here's a new question then, since I can't power up my computer, how do I transfer the files on my hard drive to my new hard drive on the computer I am going to buy?
Thanks....I just wish I knew it all. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[tjaymadison]

The AT/ATX designations refer to the layout and size of the motherboard, and also the physical dimensions of the power supply. From your description, it sounds like yours is an AT with a serial mouse. Too bad it had to act up before you got your new system. I still think it's just a bad switch or a connection that has worked loose, especially when you say it's almost four years old. Maybe Randy or Pete know a place that has switches. If you or someone you know has a test light or a $15 Radio Shack meter, it sould be pretty easy to check the switch for continuity.

Even if you can't ever get it to start up again, you'll still be able to get your "stuff" off the hard drive, but it will entail opening up the case, removing the drive and installing it in your new system. Cross that bridge ... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

ADDED: Are you sure the switch on the back of the power supply has not been turned off while you were away?

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"When I nod my head, hit it with the hammer."
(Moe, holding nail, to Curly, holding hammer)

[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 04-19-2001).]

[Paleo Pete]

The cords lead to an enclosed box where the fan is. I didn't want to open it, because there were many warnings printed on there. Colored cords lead back out of it and connect to the board, this is where I wiggled too.

That's the power supply. It's basically an AC/DC convertor that supplies DC voltage to the computer. Th colored wires that run to the motherboard are the main power cables, supplying 5V and 12V DC to the motherboard. Make sure all four black wires are in the middle, not on the outsides of the two plugs. (I'm guessing from your description it's an AT unit which would have two main power plugs.)

From what I've read so far I think it might be a good idea to remove and reseat both the video card and memory chips. The video card is where the monitor plugs in, the memory chips should be in a separate area away from the video card, sound card etc. (No I don't think you're a dummy, but from what you have posted you might not know how to identify them.) Make sure the power switch is OFF, and touch a bare metal spot on the chassis before touching components, to avoid static electricity.

Reseat the video card and memory, you might even reseat everything inside, and see if it will power up. Bad connections are not uncommon, especially when a computer sits unused for extended periods. Leave the case open and make sure the fans do work. You should have one in the power supply and one on the CPU, mounted on the motherboard. It's about 2" square.

You should have a 110/220V switch on back of the power supply, double check and make sure it's set to 110. It's usually red. If you can get one try another power cord.

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So many idiots, and only six bullets...
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[Queenbean]

I explained the problem to my computer to someone else who works on them, and he believes it's the power supply. Now, I'm thinking I could fix this thing. Is changing out the power supply that difficult to do? Can an average person do it?
I've taken the power switch out, and could not get it part. I believ it is working properly.

[tjaymadison]

You're back! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif It's really quite straightforward and easy to do, with a few precautions. First, of course, buy the right replacement unit. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif The easiest way to do that is to just take the old one with you when you go get the new one, and match it up. Pay particular attention to the mounting holes on the back, and verify that the new PS has them in the same locations. Power down your system, unplug the power cord from the outlet and the PS. If you can, do your work standing on a tile or wood floor, with the PC on a non-conductive surface, and touch the metal case occasionally to ground yourself and prevent static discharge. The kitchen table comes to mind. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif Open the case, unplug the "bigger" (thicker) PS cables going to all the drives, case fans, etc. You may have to work at the ones that are a tight fit. Move the wire bundles out of the way, and track down any of the smaller (thinner) wires that connect the PS to the motherboard. Make a note or diagram of where and how they connect, then unplug them. The big main connector has a tab on one side and you'll have to squeeze-and-pull to get it out. Depending on your case configuration, the PS "box" itself may be on rails or a little shelf, and slide out through a rear opening on larger towers, but many times it has to come out from the inside. If yours does, you need to support it with one hand from the inside while you are removing the attaching screws on the back of the case, or it will fall. Some of the screws may hold a fan guard in place -- you don't have to remove those. If space inside is tight, you may have to angle the PS to get it all the way out once it's free. Try not to touch the CPU or the RAM modules while you're doing this. From here on, it's all down hill. As the car repair manuals say: "Installation is the reverse of the above procedure". http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif The smaller leads on the new PS should be marked or tagged to indicate what they're for. There may be some "extra" leads for things that aren't on your particular mobo or case, like a reset switch or fan speed monitoring. As long as you have connected all the same things in the same way as the old setup, don't worry about those. Tuck or tape them out of the way, so they don't hang free and contact the mobo or a fan. BIG IMPORTANT NOTE: Some PS's have a small slide switch on the back, marked 115/230, to select the source voltage. It's probably already set correctly, but double-check it. Good Luck! I'm sure you'll do fine. Actually doing it may not take you as long as it took me to write this. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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"When I nod my head, hit it with the hammer."
-- (Moe, holding nail, to Curly, holding hammer)