Computer wont turn on at all

[Benjamin]

Hi there, I've signed up to this forum to try and benefit from some of you more technically minded people out there. I've got a computer that I'm trying to get started but I'm not having much luck. I was told it was the PSU so I've borrowed one from a friend (he said that it works, but I'm not too sure).

 

I put the PSU in (well, to the best of my ability) and the computer turned on for about 5 seconds before cutting out. Now it just won't start at all. I've disconnected everything apart from the 20(4) pin connector but it still isn't even attempting to start. Is there anything else that can try?

 

Thank you very much of taking your time to help, it really is appreciated.

 

Edit: just to add, the light on the motherboard is still on. Is it possible I've disconnected the actually "on" button on the front of the case?

Edited July 21, 2012 by Benjamin

[Plastic Nev]

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

The cables from the front are usually easy enough to follow, there will be one from the main start button, if it has a light as most do there will be a cable for that too.

Next will be for whatever ports you have on the front, such as USB, Headphone or Speaker and possibly microphone jack, all those can be left plugged in unless there is a specific reason for suspecting a short circuit on any of them when running a motherboard check.

 

Providing the start button at least is connected, do you get any fans to run and/or if fitted, beeps from the motherboard speaker?

 

If nothing it looks like the motherboard is the fault, to be sure there are no shorts to the case, remove the board from the case, leave connected the 20(4) connector and the start button cable, and lay the board down on cardboard or other insulating surface and try it again.

 

Nev.

[maynardvdm]

Hi

 

Do you have the 4-pin connector from PSU for the CPU connected?

[Benjamin]

I didn't have the 4pim connected to the ,other board.

 

I, going to be home soon so I'll plug in the front button again then. Of it does then boot up is my next step to start connecting each card/device one by one until it won't boot again?

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, as Maynardvdm suggested, as well as the 20(4) pin connector and start button, also connect the 4 pin CPU connector, it won't actually boot until the HDD is connected, but you should at least get beeps and fans spinning.

 

Nev.

[Benjamin]

Thanks for all the great help so far. I've plugged the front power switch back in and it's all turned on with fans spinning and hasn't cut out so far (albeit only a few minutes).

 

What shall I do next? Again, thank you very much I really do appreciate it.

[maynardvdm]

Dont plug in any expansion cards yet, just have the monitor and keyboard connected to see if you can get into the BIOS.

[Benjamin]

I think I got a bit carried away whilst waiting for a reply and I connected the RAM, HDD and CD drive (both SATA) and it worked fine. I then put n the graphics card (PCI-E) and it died after 1 second of me turning it on. I've now removed the graphics card yet it still won't turn back on. Have I done something wrong?

[maynardvdm]

Try disconnecting the power cable from the back of the PSU plug it back in and see if it will turn on. Leave the graphics card out.

 

What graphics card do you have, also what motherboard, CPU and RAM?

[Benjamin]

The card is a nvidia GeForce 8600GT, RAM is Kingston "KVR667D2N5/2G" x 2 and the motherboard is an ASUS P5KPL-CM

[maynardvdm]

Take out both RAM sticks and try them 1 at a time, keep using the onbaord vga for the time being.

[Benjamin]

It was running with both RAM in for 30min or more untilmimadded other stuff. But I'll try this when I get home. Thank you