Computer won't turn on...

[Moomoomoo]

So this evening I was watching TV when i heard a loud "click" noise coming from the direction of where the computer is... So I went over to it, and it was off, and would not turn on. (to be more specific, when I press the power button nothing happens, no lights or noises or anything). The power in my house isn't the problem either, as when i try to plug something else in, it works... And the thing has been plugged into a surge protector this whole time... Any help would be appreciated :P

[Stoke]

Sounds power supply-ishy

[Moomoomoo]

Oh really... Well how do you determine whether that is the problem, or it is something else...

[Stoke]

well to me....won't turn on usually means no power is coming in. Power comes in thru the power supply....

[Shadowspirit]

I would agree with Stoke. If you can't get someone type of screen or beeps then your power supply or motherboard is bad. And a power supply is much cheaper.

[Moomoomoo]

I see... So there is no way to tell whether that is only problem? because i don't want to spend money on a new power supply, only to find out it still doesn't work

[CannonBall]

PSU I would say also.

[Stoke]

In my very limited experiences (and I know folks like Gryphie and Silverass know more) but if its completely dead, that usually means there is zero power and that points to a power supply. If it was a bad board, there would probably be some beeps, etc. during what little bit of the POST it attempts or at least some power making to other components such as the fan.

[Gryphon]

Had a similar issue (http://www.alliedtribalforces.com/showthread.php?t=6905) recently, though I did get power just no post. I bought a power supply tester (http://www.ultraproducts.com/product_details.php?cPath=105&pPath=436&productID=436), and all checked out fine. I eventually just bought all new parts, psu, mobo, ram, cpu. I decided that buying new parts was better than spending money to replace the old mobo, if I could even find it.

I would start with your PSU, might be able to just take the PSU alone into a shop to have it tested for a couple bucks.

[Moomoomoo]

If I happen to have another computer that works, could I try using the power supply from it in the non-working one (if it is compatible)? or would that not be a good idea...

[Gryphon]

Should be ok if it has all the right connectors.

[Moomoomoo]

ok, i'll try that... i won't need to connect it to all the drives and such, will i...

[SilverTalon]

Late to the party, but it seems like something related to the PSU and Gryph's initial post is spot on: find a power supply tester and use that to check. If you can't afford one, then the known-good testing method works, but do understand that if something killed that PSU (versus it just breaking) you could fry the other one too. With my limited electronics knowledge it sounds like a capacitor went, but why that would be could merit some investigation.

Also, the ability to get power off the socket does not mean all is well in power-world. Computers have much higher demands on draw and stability than most simple appliances and what works great for a lamp or blender is not sufficient for a computer. If there's low-voltage coming over the lines or you're on the same circuit as something else that draws a lot of power (space heaters, for instance), you will wear out your gear faster. Testing for low-voltage is a serious PITA tho, since you have to get the computer up and running and have the kit to check it.

In the long-term though, a UPS might be a worthwhile investment. All a power strip does is take the bullet on a big surge, it doesn't do anything to guard against voltage dips and small surges. Most UPSes on the other hand will generally do "power conditioning" and provide a steady 115V out regardless of what's coming into them. They're designed to take the beating on incoming power so that what your computer uses is "cleaner" which I know has resolved some people's power issues with their computers.

Food for thought with Christmas coming up...

[Gryphon]

Yeah, I have been considering getting a couple of UPS myself for our computers. I have had a few computers go out, I suspect due to dirty power.

[Spinning Hat]

Everyone here is pretty much right on. A popping noise from the computer would indicate a popped capacitor. and if you take the thing out abnd peer inside the PSU, (Don't open it up) you will probably see which one went... :D

[Skillet]

I had a server's PSU pop on me a while back >.>
I seem to have a pc death aura around me

Anyway, I have UPSes on every device in the house =)
Wise investment.

[Moomoomoo]

Thanks for all the help everyone :) i very much appreciate it

[Moomoomoo]

Well my replacement power supply is supposed to arrive today... hopefully it will work, but i will most likely break something while installing it, and i won't be able to find out what it was... either that, or it will turn out that the power supply wasn't actually the problem... needless to say, i will be very surprised if it works, and i did everything right...

[SilverTalon]

Well my replacement power supply is supposed to arrive today... hopefully it will work, but i will most likely break something while installing it, and i won't be able to find out what it was... either that, or it will turn out that the power supply wasn't actually the problem... needless to say, i will be very surprised if it works, and i did everything right...

I vote that we declare Moo to be Stoke's padawan...those words could have been uttered by the senior master himself.

[Stoke]

Do I need to post a scanned image of my A+ Certification?

[Moomoomoo]

Well would you believe it, it's working now with a new PSU... To me, this is too good to be true... i had to have screwed up somewhere...

[Stoke]

Good job Moo.

[Spinning Hat]

I think I have my A+ card in my wallet.. had it (nerdily) laminated if I remember right.. And the cert. is framed and hanging on my wall.. How bad is that?

Good Job Moo. Glad to see your PC is running.