racketboy.com

This morning I turned on my computer like always and went to have breakfast. When I returned, the computer was turned off. It doesn't boot and the LED on the motherboard is not lit.

There's power to the USB sockets because one LED there is turned on.

Any thoughts?

my first thought was dead PSU, but if it's powering other stuff then my second thought is dead motherboard.

BUT I'd at least make sure that the connectors from the PSU into the mobo are nice and snug and haven't come loose or anything.

My thought is also dead PSU (simply because this is the most common thing to happen). If you have anything plugged into any USB port that is self-powered (USB-hub, external hard-drive, etc) that could account for the LED being lit.
Usually if there is something wrong with the mobo, there is an error-code - either beep, LED or both to help diagnose the problem (or there is magic/electric smoke).

Just because an led light is on, does not mean the power supply is providing enough juice to start the PC (I speak from experience). Also, remember that there are 2 rails powering a PC (5v and 12v, one could still work while the other could be failing).
Try another power supply before anything else. Those things go out all the time (as mentioned), especially if it was a cheap stock PSU.

Yes unfortanetly there is troubleshooting involved. Does your mobo have beep codes?

If you can try another psu it is your best bet before replacing the mobo.

If ya don't have a spare PSU to swap in and test, you could get a PSU tester for cheap...

http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Power-Supply- ... psu+tester

It's a neat thing to have in your tool box.




Check all "stupid" things first before assuming anything is dead. Make sure all components are seated properly inside the computer, reseat if needed. Make sure the power switch on the back of the PSU (if present) is on. Make sure the 110v/220v switch is set correctly. Make sure the surge protector didn't trip and is turned on. Rule out the surge protector going bad, test the wall outlet to make sure that isn't the problem either.

So...I have a new computer now. My family was fed up with my decaying computer and we bought a new one. So....yay? I still have the components in case I want to use them for something. I'm going to see if they are interested in fixing them and "upgrading" my sister's Pentium 4.

If not, I'll try to make an emulation machine with them.