Computer won't boot, but is getting power.

Bacchus219 · 28-06-2007, 05:48 PM

Yesterday my wife called me to tell me that the computer wasn't working. These are the events as she described them. She brought the computer out of hibernation and the monitor gave her a message telling her that it was not receiving a signal. She turned off the computer and rebooted. She was able to log in, saw the desktop and then the computer shut off. At that point, she smelled something burning (awesome) so she just turned everything off.

When I came home I was not able to get a response pushing the power button, so I unplugged the power cord from the unit, waited and plugged it back in. As soon as I plugged it back in, I heard the motherboard fan come on. The amber light on the front of the tower came on to indicate that the unit was receiving power. I was not able to power the CPU on however by pressing the power button, nor did the power-on light come on.

I opened the unit to see if my limited hardware knowledge could spot anything obvious burnt or unplugged. I couldn't find anything obvious. Even today, when I plug in the power cord, the motherboard fan comes on right away. What's going on here? This is beyond my scope of knowledge. Please help! Thanks so much!

Ghostman 1 · 01-07-2007, 09:59 AM

First thing is to smell the back of the power supply..It sounds like the power supply is starting to go bad... Next How long was the pc on for, before it quit?
a pc that won't turn on, (Could ) be allot of different things.

rephistorch · 01-07-2007, 02:31 PM

I agree with ghostman. Sounds like a similar issue I had when I first built my computer. The lights and fans would spin, but the BIOS wouldn't post and nothing would come on the screen. I thought it was a bad motherboard, but it ended up being the power supply. I would suggest getting a new power supply or borrowing one from a friend. Also did you add any new hardware? It could be that you strained your power supply too much, or maybe it just got worn out.

Bacchus219 · 02-07-2007, 09:10 AM

Thanks guys. I'll check that out when I get home. I do have an extra power supply that I could check out.

Bacchus219 · 03-07-2007, 09:08 AM

I swapped power supplies with a known good one and it still did nothing. So it's not that, and I've removed everything and found nothing melted on the motherboard. Both fans still come on when the power supply is plugged in. Any other ideas?

28-06-2007, 05:48 PM	# 1 (permalink) Top
Bacchus219 Geek Trainee Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4 Status: Offline	Computer won't boot, but is getting power. Yesterday my wife called me to tell me that the computer wasn't working. These are the events as she described them. She brought the computer out of hibernation and the monitor gave her a message telling her that it was not receiving a signal. She turned off the computer and rebooted. She was able to log in, saw the desktop and then the computer shut off. At that point, she smelled something burning (awesome) so she just turned everything off. When I came home I was not able to get a response pushing the power button, so I unplugged the power cord from the unit, waited and plugged it back in. As soon as I plugged it back in, I heard the motherboard fan come on. The amber light on the front of the tower came on to indicate that the unit was receiving power. I was not able to power the CPU on however by pressing the power button, nor did the power-on light come on. I opened the unit to see if my limited hardware knowledge could spot anything obvious burnt or unplugged. I couldn't find anything obvious. Even today, when I plug in the power cord, the motherboard fan comes on right away. What's going on here? This is beyond my scope of knowledge. Please help! Thanks so much!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Computer won't boot, but is getting power.	Bacchus219	CPU, Motherboards and Memory	2	28-06-2007 01:26 PM
Just how much power does a computer need?	Yuchao719	Power Supplies and UPS's	5	15-05-2007 08:32 AM
Power On, No Boot	twanny	CPU, Motherboards and Memory	3	10-01-2007 03:12 PM
Boot / power problem???	slimsoul	General Hardware	0	18-10-2005 05:29 AM
boot up problems (power) HELP	peanut	General Hardware	4	30-07-2005 10:39 AM

01-07-2007, 09:59 AM	# 2 (permalink) Top
Ghostman 1 Ultra Geek Join Date: May 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 961 Times Helpful: 43 My Mood: Mellow Status: Offline	First thing is to smell the back of the power supply..It sounds like the power supply is starting to go bad... Next How long was the pc on for, before it quit? a pc that won't turn on, (Could ) be allot of different things.

01-07-2007, 02:31 PM	# 3 (permalink) Top
rephistorch Geek Trainee Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4 Status: Offline	I agree with ghostman. Sounds like a similar issue I had when I first built my computer. The lights and fans would spin, but the BIOS wouldn't post and nothing would come on the screen. I thought it was a bad motherboard, but it ended up being the power supply. I would suggest getting a new power supply or borrowing one from a friend. Also did you add any new hardware? It could be that you strained your power supply too much, or maybe it just got worn out.

02-07-2007, 09:10 AM	# 4 (permalink) Top
Bacchus219 Geek Trainee Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4 Status: Offline	Thanks guys. I'll check that out when I get home. I do have an extra power supply that I could check out.

03-07-2007, 09:08 AM	# 5 (permalink) Top
Bacchus219 Geek Trainee Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4 Status: Offline	I swapped power supplies with a known good one and it still did nothing. So it's not that, and I've removed everything and found nothing melted on the motherboard. Both fans still come on when the power supply is plugged in. Any other ideas?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Whats this? Sponsored Listing