PC will not start (no power)

[pc_guy]

I've also seen (experienced) a short circuit when a loose PSU molex connector touched a metal part inside the case. The unit powered down, but would not turn on when I pressed the computers power button. Had to turn the switch off at the back and unplug PSU from wall, then plug it back in for it to work again.

[Quakindude]

Do you have a spare PSU you can trouble-shoot this with?

[Hitman]

Try taking everything out of the system or disconnect it. With only the MoBo and PSU connected (No CPU, Memory, Drives, or Card installed) If it powers up install one component at a time until it stops powering up. If it doesn't power up you know it's either you PSU, Mobo Or your Power Switch.

[PrOLifIC_onE]

I started this post just for general troubleshooting in case someone else had some no power issues. The rebuild I did with one4yu2c and this older MB that I have both had a no power issues (this weekend) so I figured I would post this for future use, as a reminder and a tip for all.

BUT it just so happens I went through each piece of hardware prior to starting this post and determined that the motherboard in question apparently went bad. It kinda sucks because it was working perfect when I took it out of the case a couple days ago. I tried swapping out everything and ended up determining it was a bad MB. I have no idea what happened to it.

The good news is that the new MB is finally starting to work without issues, so we will see how that goes (knock on wood!).

[stinger608]

I know what you mean, I have a soyo dragon mobo, that when I first tested it, it worked just fine. So I put together a system with it, and the damn thing would not power on!!!

It just make this awful squeaking noise 3 times. Well I took the system back apart and tested the board again, and all it did is squeak at me the same 3 times. Never could figure out what the hell was wrong with it.

I still have the stupid thing, and every once in awhile I will pull it back out and test it

You would think that I would give up on the damn thing

[carpenator]

I don't know if this did it or not, but it is amazing what a static shock can do. Now if it was in a good anti-static bag while you moved it chances are slim, but I know I don't from time to time. I read once that unless a static charge was over 3000 volts, you don't feel it because the amp is so low. It only takes around a 1000 volts to damage a PC component. The thing is also that most of the time it doesn't damage it enough that it just dies, it just shortens its life span. That is why I try my best to keep grounding myself before picking a component up. I just can't wear one of those straps though, eww.

Electricity is another thing that just causes weird issues. Thank God for the keyed PSU that are out now. I fried my bosses computer once when I slipped the AT connector over once and didn't notice due all the mess. OOPS. I did get all the parts RMA'd though. =)

Just my thoughts for whatever they are worth.

[PrOLifIC_onE]

A friend of mine just had an issue with his battery. The light would come on, on the MB, but nothing would boot up. He replaced the battery as a last resort and now it is all working fine. It was very interesting so I wanted to update this thread (I also edited my original post to cover it).

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by PrOLifIC_onE

A friend of mine just had an issue with his battery. The light would come on, on the MB, but nothing would boot up. He replaced the battery as a last resort and now it is all working fine. It was very interesting so I wanted to update this thread (I also edited my original post to cover it).

HAHA, good call! I never would have thought of that. Reminds me of when my brother's girlfriend left her computer outside in her car for a week or so during the middle of winter (below freezing temperatures 24/7) and it drained the CMOS battery on the motherboard and she had to replace it. She said her hard drives never seemed the same after that either... :dontknow:

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by carpenator

I don't know if this did it or not, but it is amazing what a static shock can do. Now if it was in a good anti-static bag while you moved it chances are slim, but I know I don't from time to time.

As I've read through this, static charge was something I thought of, but carpenator beat me to it. I try to be as careful as possible with components, since I don't have a static-free environment to work in. I use that little wrist strap when I think it will help, and I try to keep parts off of carpet and other surfaces that I think might be bad.

Originally Posted by gvblake22

I don't think an improperly seated processor would prevent all the fans from spinning up. You would probably destroy the processor and/or motherboard, but I think (at least the first try) the fans would at least spin up.

This made me think of the time I tried to change one cpu for another (changed a P4 2.8 for a P4 3.2) and when I tried to power on, I got no response at all, as if the thing was unplugged, which wasn't the case. I changed the cpu back, and everything was good again. I think if I had thought to reset cmos, maybe I wouldn't have had the problem, but I didn't.