Back from trip and now my computer won't boot -UPDATE

[csziggy]

Last edited Wed Dec 30, 2015, 02:09 PM - Edit history (1)

I just got home from a trip to visit my Mom. As usual I shut off my computer and everything but the UPS before I left. Come back and the computer will not boot. When I turn on the power supply there is a light at the network cable connection on the motherboard so power is getting that far. But when I try to power the computer on with the power button on the front nothing happens. No flicker, nothing. Other devices connected to the UPS are fine and power up.

Would this be my power supply or the motherboard?

Sorry about any typos - posting this with my tablet - which has a cute little chicklet keyboard but is still not great.

UPDATE - I carried it into the shop and my friend tried another power supply - nothing. He tried another video card - nothing. He was getting ready to take the mobo out to see if there was a short when he realized the power connector was not hooked up - this case has a setup to connect to the power supply to a central line that then connects to the devices.

Apparently the last time my husband took the case outside to blow out the dust and cat hair the power connection was loosened. Over time with warming and cooling it must have worked almost all the way off and with the cooling over my vacation it came completely loose.

Whatever - it's working fine now! But good thing I carried it in first thing this morning - the computer shop will be closed from now until January 12th. My computer friend is taking a vacation for a while.

[drm604]

1. Have you tried removing power completely first?

Unplug the computer so that there is no power getting to it at all. Wait about 30 seconds, then plug it back in and try to start it.

[csziggy]

3. Yes, unplugged it, messed around sorting wires and plugged it back into a different spot on the UPS

I'm worn out - drove eight hours after six days with no good sleep, watching out for my 94 year old Mom.

I will open the case up tomorrow see if I can tell anything. If not I guess it goes into the shop - the local computer builder that assembled it for me. He can replace whatever it needs but I trust him to not change out stuff at random just to make a buck.

I'm upset though - I brought back a bunch of family photos to scan, some tintypes and other really old pictures including ones from my parents' wedding day I've never seen.

[drm604]

5. If you've got a good tech that you trust then that's your best bet.

I'm usually my own tech, but if you're not sure about what you're doing then take it to someone who is.

The one important thing, and I'm sure you know this, is to make sure that all important stuff is always backed up someplace reliable online.

[csziggy]

8. This guy helped me pick the parts and assembled this computer for me

I've built my own computers in the past but these days I'd rather haave someone else do the assembly. I'm only a plug in the bits and hope it works type of person anymore and haven't kept up with the technology changes over the last ten years.

Greg hashelped my wih my computers since the first time I upgraded a hard drive back i 1993. It also helps that we usually agree on politics.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. Are there fans connected to the power supply?

(Not through the mb, directly to one of the power distribution cables from the power supply).

If those fans are spinning your power supply is likely ok.

A voltmeter is a big help. 5v from the power supply out the power cables for disks fans etc and easy to test.

[csziggy]

4. No fans are running at all in the case so it could be the power supply.

There are two case fans which I don't think are hooked to the mobo. One has been making noises but it was working when I turned the computer off last Wednesday. I've got a voltmeter somewhere but I'm pretty hopeless with it.

[Warren Stupidity]

10. See if you can buy the identical power supply on amazon. Shouldn't be too expensive.

And it is pretty easy to replace. It might fix things. Or not, but the lack of fan spinning suggest power supply croaked.

[csziggy]

11. I'll take it into my friend's shop - it will be faster and he'll have a power supply in stock

Plugging in all those connecors is one of the things I'm no longer good at. And I need to get started scanning materials and sorting them so I need the computer working quickly. My friend won't charge me much and as a bonus he'll clean out the case and check the fan that's been making grinding noises!

[TexasTowelie]

6. Not only should you unplug the computer,

but remove the battery pack for a minute so that it will power down completely. Reinsert the battery pack and hold down the power key for up to one minute when you try again.

[csziggy]

7. It's a desktop - no battery pack n/t

[TexasTowelie]

9. Well, never mind then.

However, you still might want to disconnect the power supply and leave disconnected, then hold the on button for up to a minute. It can sometimes take a minute or more for residual power to dissipate. I ran into a similar problem with my brother's laptop this past month and when I talked with the man who does repairs he said that the same advice does apply to desktops. I hope that helps.