My Poor Desktop!

[pokeplayer984]

It just wouldn't turn on.

I first thought it was the new hard drive, but changing back to the old one didn't work.  So I'm guessing it's the power supply the computer company I had stupidly sent it to about a month ago installed.

They told me that they would replace it free of charge if it died under warrenty, which it did.

I had a feeling something was up with that power supply they gave me and I think I'm right.

So, no desktop until further notice.

And I did so much for it! :cry2

[Petrie.]

I've never had to replace a power supply but I don't think it needs to go to a shop to be fixed if you can find a part for it.  See what model you have and go from there.

[DarkHououmon]

Perhaps it's the RAM. I heard that if the RAM fails, the computer will not turn on. If you have 2 installed, try removing both and installing just one and see if that works, if not try the other.

But if that doesn't work, I wonder if the motherboard could be dead. I hope not.

[Kor]

I've had to replace the power supply in both this computer and pc2 so it's not uncommon.  I heard one of the reasons is some people put in a power supply that is to small, so no surprise that it goes out.  I heard some do this to save money.  The watt output you need would depend what is installed in your computer, graphics cards ect.  I don't know enough to suggest a minimum watt output power supply.

[pokeplayer984]

Ugh!  Found the problem.  Take a look at this:



Now, please forgive the poor graphics, but anyone can clearly see that something is hanging loosely from that red card, right?  That's basically a vital part of the card.  A small attachment part somehow broke and caused the problem you see before you.

My theory, when it broke, it caused a chain reaction of electric discharge that fried the card below and that in turn possibly fried the motherboard.

If my theory is correct, I've got a dead desktop here.  Hopefully my theory is wrong and I just have to replace the card.  If I'm sadly right though, I'll get a new computer and salvage what I can.  After all, I spent a good amount of money to get that new hard drive, not to mention the crap I went through for the RAM.

Not to mention that I put up with it for nearly 4 years.  Something desereves to be saved from it. -_-

[Petrie.]

Hmm...sorry I don't know what that part is, but it sure appers it could've hit another part of a curcuit board.

[action9000]

Looks like a video card heat sink to me... or a wicked-huge inductor! :

Yeah that doesn't look so hot.  Sorry pokeplayer.

[landbeforetimelover]

Perhaps it's the RAM. I heard that if the RAM fails, the computer will not turn on.

Well, that's only true of extremely old computers (like early 90's).  I you have no ram in your PC, it'll make a series of beeps unless the little bios speaker is out.  It'll still turn on though.  

Let me ask you Pokeplayer, will the thing turn on at all?  Try pushing in the large white connector that connects the PSU (Power Supply Unit) to the motherboard.  If that gets loose, it can make it so the computer doesn't turn on.

Another thing you can look at is the little connectors that connect the power switch to your motherboard.  Are they secure?  If not, the power button won't do anything.

I've never heard of a graphics card just frying the MB.  Maybe if there was an electrical surge from a power outage, but never by a faulty part.

I had a feeling something was up with that power supply they gave me and I think I'm right.

What gave you that suspicion?

[pokeplayer984]

Great, another thing I just found.  The fan in the power supply doesn't even move when I turn it on, so that could be faulty too.

And the thing that gave me suspicions of the power supply was that it was making a noise I was not familiar with when it does the hard work orders. (We are all familiar with the noise a computer tends to make when it's doing some big loading thing, right?) It sounded in the area of a vaccum cleaner, just softer.  It wasn't something I was familiar with, but since that was the only time it made the noise, I just came to assumed that it's the noise this particular power supply tends to make when it's doing the hard work deals.

However, ever since I got it back, the noise just made me feel uncomfortable.  It just always triggered this nagging feeling in the back of my head that told me something was wrong.

Call me sceptical, but something could be up with that too.

Also, when I turn it on, it just stays in "Stand by" mode.  I do see that power is still flowing through by the red light in front being on.  As well as the green ACT light being on, but that's all that happens.  I even try pushing the power button in front, but that doesn't work.

So yeah, the power supply has a good chance of having a problem as well as the video card being broke.

HTH did that card break anyways?  I can't even figure that one out myself. -_-

[landbeforetimelover]

If the PSU fan isn't going then don't turn it on anymore!  You could totally blow up your PSU, which would almost certainly send a huge jolt of deadly electricity to your motherboard.  Not to mention possibly catch things around the computer on fire including the carpet and other flammable material.  The place you took it to installed a used faulty PSU! :angry: I knew they were trouble.  The only thing you can do is go in there and demand that they replace it.  If they don't, you'll have to find another place that will and pay for it.  Right now is not a good time to buy a new computer.  Wait about another 6 months.  That'll be the best time to buy.  I would suggest getting that PSU fixed.  It also sounds like the graphics card is out.  Just buy a cheap $30 just to get you up and running.  I'm sure you could install it yourself.

[pokeplayer984]

Okay, I'll stop messing with it since you gave SUCH a huge warning.

I'll do what I can to stop my dad though since he wants to mess with it.

I'll take it in ASAP.  After all, if I can get a new power supply for free, why not?

[landbeforetimelover]

Just make sure it's new this time and not some old piece of used garbage like the one they gave you before.

[pokeplayer984]

Interesting thing, my dad went to the trouble of getting me a new graphics card despite the fact I got one myself. : So I need to return it and get back my $140.00 that I paid for it. (I went for eForce.  My dad got something else.  We paid the same price.)

Now, here's the thing, after installing my new graphics card and turning it on, the fan was moving again. (I'm not joking here.  I'm DEAD SERIOUS.) How's this possible?  Here's the deal:

The power supply I hold is quite different from the one I had before I took it in over a month ago.  Turns out that this one basically shuts down if there is a hardware problem. (Like that of my graphics card not working.) As long as everything's functioning like it should, the fan moves and it powers everything.

I'll still keep an eye on my stuff though.  One major problem like this is enough to keep me cautious for quite a while.

Still, it's working now, and I couldn't be happier.

[landbeforetimelover]

I've never heard of a power supply that automatically shuts itself off when a component is faulty or disconnected.  That doesn't make any sense.  You wouldn't be able to repair a computer if it wouldn't even turn on.  That's what beep codes are for.  You wouldn't be able to hear the beep codes if the computer wouldn't turn on.  Even if it did turn on and it was just the fan that wasn't working, that wouldn't make any sense either.  You need to be able to turn it on and diagnose the problem in order to fix it.  I would still bring it into the shop and tell them that it just stopped working but started again for some reason.  Demand a replacement.

[pokeplayer984]

I've never heard of a power supply that automatically shuts itself off when a component is faulty or disconnected.  That doesn't make any sense.  You wouldn't be able to repair a computer if it wouldn't even turn on.  That's what beep codes are for.  You wouldn't be able to hear the beep codes if the computer wouldn't turn on.  Even if it did turn on and it was just the fan that wasn't working, that wouldn't make any sense either.  You need to be able to turn it on and diagnose the problem in order to fix it.  I would still bring it into the shop and tell them that it just stopped working but started again for some reason.  Demand a replacement.

Well, I can't explain it much better.  Somehow, plugging in a new graphics card got it working again.

Can you give a proper explanation of some kind?

EDIT:  Here we go!  This is the power supply I currently hold:



This is one of the better 500-watt power supplies on the market. (But boy was I ripped off.  I paid $100.00 and this website is selling it for about half that?  What a rip! :angry:)

Now, here's the Specifications on it:

Model

Brand    XCLIO
Model    GOODPOWER 500W

Spec

Type    ATX
Maximum Power    500W
Fans    1 x 12cm ball bearing fan
PFC    No
Main Connector    20+4Pin
+12V Rails    2
PCI-E Connectors    2 x 6Pin
CrossFire    Ready
SLI    Certified
Modular    No
Power Good Signal    100-500ms
Hold-up Time    >20ms at full load, nominal line
Efficiency    >70% at full load, nominal line
Over Voltage Protection    +3.3V, +5V and +12V
Overload Protection    +3.3V, +5V
Input Voltage    115/ 230 V
Input Frequency Range    50/60 Hz
Input Current    5A max
Output    +3.3V@30A; +5V@28A; -5V@0.5A; +12V1@16A; +12V2@17A; -12V@0.3A; +5VSB@2.0A
MTBF    80,000 hrs at 80% load, 25 ?C ambient
Approvals    UL, CUL, TUV, CB, VDE, FIMKO, DEMKO, NEMKO, SEMKO

Features

Connectors    1 x Main connector (20+4Pin)
1 x 12V (P4)
6 x peripheral
2 x SATA
2 x PCI-E
1 x Floppy
Features    Vibration-Reduction rubber coating

And Overview information:

The XClio GoodPower 500W power supply is everything an enthusiast could want. Rock-solid construction makes it one of the more durable power supplies in the market. The power output of 500 watts, making it an excellent option for dual-GPU systems. SLI ready, it ensures that your purchase won't be rendered obsolete by the onslaught of newer technologies. The presence of a large 120 mm, ball-bearing fan ensures effective cooling and noise reduction. Vented back panel further aids heat dissipation by channeling air right over the core circuit.

The GoodPower is designed to last, with its MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure) of 80,000+ hours. Usage of industrial grade components ensures stable and unflappable output, and provides protection against power and voltage surges. It comes with one Main connector (20 + 4 pin), one 12V (P4), one Floppy, six peripheral, two PCI-E, and two SATA connectors. Bring the power home, and stop suffering the slings and arrows of outraged opponents!

My research:

Note:  The following is to the best of my understanding of it.  If I misunderstood something or overlooked it, sorry in advance.

Further research through the reviews indicated that when there is an over heating deal, it goes into Standby to try and protect itself.  It doesn't actually shut itself down as I first assumed.  When in Standby, the fan doesn't move.  This is quite normal for this particular Power Supply.  This also solves the mystery of what happened.

My computer got too hot inside and the heat sink of the graphics card melted off as a result.  So basically, it was an overheat and the Power Supply saved the computer by going into Standby until the Graphics Card was replaced.  Let's just say that I'm lucky only the Graphics Card suffered.  I'd best improve the cooling to ensure it doesn't have anything else happen.

Remember, this is to the best of my understanding.  I could be off somewhere.