no power

[alaskan refugee]

I recently installed a hard drive and controller and everything was working fine with both drives attached (old and new). When i removed the old drive the system would hang on the windows screen. Only power switch on ps would shut down. Soon i had no power at all. Tried switching the power switch/reset switch on case, nothing. Replaced ps, still nothing. I did notice, confirming that i am truly an idiot, that i had pluggeg the fan only connector into the hard drive. I think I did this after the power issues, but being an idiot and all, i cant remember. Is it possible I fried the motherboard? No damage is visible but im not an expert, obviously.

[Budfred]

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

It sounds more likely that you may have damaged the power supply and/or the hard drive. If you have another power supply handy, you might want to try it. You could also try the one you have without the new drive plugged in. Post back with more details about your system and any other troubleshooting you have done for more ideas...

[alaskan refugee]

Well, after reading many other posts with the same types of problems I did a little trouble-shooting with no luck. I tried another power supply first with no signs of life. 400w-Antec. Pulled the battery on the motherboard to reset and tried a barebone with fan, ps, speakers, ram. Not a peep. The new power supply might be shot too I guess but then the question is what keeps blowing them? I will try to bring the new power supply to get checked today. Plugged in the new harddrive to very old computer and started spinning right away.

KT3-ultra-aru
AMD athlon-1.47ghz
Western 160/7200 hd
both ps/antec true sense330/400

[Budfred]

When you did the barebones boot, did you use only one stick of RAM? If not, try that and if it doesn't work, try another. If it still doesn't work, you might need to try it out of the case on a nonconductive surface, like a piece of cardboard. This is with no drives and only the case speaker, keyboard, video, CPU, power, power switch and mobo. If it doesn't work this way, you can try other RAM and/or other video, but most likely it is the CPU or motherboard that is dead. The only way that I know to test them is to swap with a known good compatible system.

One more thing: check very carefully that the CPU fan is plugged into the motherboard...

[alaskan refugee]

When I attempted the barebone boot, I had the mobo on a piece of cardboard, but i did not have the video card installed. The tower I have does not have a speaker but the mobo has onboard audio which I had speakers hooked up to. I did not try changing the ram. The cpu fan is plugged into the motherboard. Is it necessary to have the video card installed for the barebones. And thank you very much for your time, by the way!

[david eaton]

Yes, you need the video card, monitor, and keyboard for a barebones boot setup.in addition to the memory stick(s). You also need the power switch on the case connected, or you have to short the connector on the motherboard to switch on.

David

[alaskan refugee]

Thanks David, I will try bareboning again. Also is there a way to test ATX power supplies with a volt meter? I have heard they sleep until the motherboard sends back a signal. I have tried hooking the ps to mobo and checking volts through connectors but got nothing.

[david eaton]

to get an ATX supply working, either it has to be connected to the motherboard, which has the power switch connected, or you have to short two of the leads. the power on lead is GREEN, and has to be shorted to any one of the BLACK wires. A pair of needle nose pliers inserted in the connector will do.

WARNING! Without a load, the voltages can be erratic, and damage to the psu can result.! Best to connect it to a hard drive or CD just to be on the safe side.

Davdi

[alaskan refugee]

almost time to go home and try all the advice, but assuming the second ps is dead too, what are some possible causes to this so i dont start collecting wires, cords, and fans as i rebuild.

[Budfred]

Other than a pretty major power surge or short circuit, I don't know of much that would knock out 2 power supplies... Do you use a good surge protector or Uninterruptible Power Supply? If it doesn't come with a warranty to cover you equipment, it probably isn't real good quality...

[alaskan refugee]

The power supply should be covered, I think Antec is pretty good about that. On the way home now, I'm sure I'll have more questions tomorrow! thanks again

[Budfred]

I am not talking about the computer power supply, that just has its own warranty. I am talking about either a surge protector or UPS. A UPS is a battery/surge protector and keeps you system going long enough to close it down in a power failure. Probably more importantly, it can even out the power coming into the computer so the equipment tends to last longer. Either a good surge protector or UPS usually comes with a warranty for $25,000 or more to cover your equipment if you have a power surge that destroys it. The typical power strip doesn't really have any protection in it, it is simply an extension cord with multiple outlets...

[alaskan refugee]

tested both power supplies and even the old one seems to be fine so after the failed barebones i guess that leaves either cpu/mobo/video. Since I'll be shopping soon I'll take your advice and pick up the ups. Wrong forum, but any suggestions on a good gaming mobo?

[Budfred]

I don't have a clue about specific gaming mobos, but if you look in the Upgrade forum and the Gaming forum you will probably find lots of options/opinions. You could also start another thread in the Upgrade forum if you want...

[alaskan refugee]

thanks again for all the help