machine down for three months now or so...need help

grignard

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Oct 19, 2011
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18,510
I have been having a real problem. My computer spontaneously powered off and then I could turn the machine on but only the fans would run. I had posted a thread previously and I tried out some ideas. I replaced the mobo, but that didn't help. I have replaced the ram, which did not help.
I checked the battery and all that....no luck.

After trying the above, I decided to try a new PSU since my 750 W is pretty marginal even assuming it is working correctly. So I tried an 1100W PSU of the same brand ( Seasonic ) and this time the computer would not show any signs of being on whatsoever. No fans, no output, no BIOS, nothing. I checked where the power switch on the case connects to the mobo but it looked properly connected. I'm going to check it again when I get home though I've already checked it twice.

I'm totally at a loss, and I'm considering giving up and just buying a new machine. Is it possible or likely that I somehow have multiple component failures? It seems highly unlikely, but I guess I could have gotten a bad PSU, but i've never heard of that happening to anyone.

Any help is much appreciated.
 
Solution
BREADBOARD. Take EVERYTHING out of the case, take off all components (yes CPU too there is a reason for it!). Lay on a wood board / cardboard box. Reseat the CPU, 1 stick of RAM, as you haven't' told us your components I don't know if you have onboard video but if you do use that to a monitor else install the GPU, run the case ON/OFF switch to the mobo and run the PSU connections to the MOBO only. Can you get to BIOS? If not then these components have issues (Mobo, CPU, RAM or PSU). As you said you replaced the Mobo, RAM and PSU that leaves that the CPU is most likely DOA.

To test the Mobo, take the RAM out first and see if it BEEP codes for the RAM, if it does then the Mobo seems to be working as so does the RAM, you can repeat with...
BREADBOARD. Take EVERYTHING out of the case, take off all components (yes CPU too there is a reason for it!). Lay on a wood board / cardboard box. Reseat the CPU, 1 stick of RAM, as you haven't' told us your components I don't know if you have onboard video but if you do use that to a monitor else install the GPU, run the case ON/OFF switch to the mobo and run the PSU connections to the MOBO only. Can you get to BIOS? If not then these components have issues (Mobo, CPU, RAM or PSU). As you said you replaced the Mobo, RAM and PSU that leaves that the CPU is most likely DOA.

To test the Mobo, take the RAM out first and see if it BEEP codes for the RAM, if it does then the Mobo seems to be working as so does the RAM, you can repeat with the CPU, but if you remove a critical part and the MOBO does NOT beep error about it (see Mobo manual for the 'beep codes') missing/not working, then the MOBO is broken/DOA. Removing the power, wait 15 min, then remove the battery. Wait 30 min. then Plug battery then power and try again would 'reset' and 'get rid of' any an all setting in BIOS if it was just a glitch.

IF you can get to BIOS with the BREADBOARD, then insert the next stick of RAM, repeat to BIOS okay? Does it show the proper memory? Then connect the GPU, again test does it all work right? Then connect one drive (C Drive) can you get to Windows? Does Windows Work now? Great, unplug PSU and HDD and GPU and seat back into case the MOBO ONLY! Now again starting from BREADBOARD, only switch and PSU to Mobo, can you BIOS? If so then add the next component to the case, repeat, rinse and repeat again till the HDDs are added then see if you can get to Windows (Windows is always last).

IF at ANYPOINT you have a problem THAT step is where the problem is (Short in the case, the GPU fried, HDD causes short, etc.).
 
Solution