[Solved] i need help

[deano40]

i have a desktop custom built. running vista ultimate 5gb ram, 700hd. i know this is strange but if i stand my tower upright it wont turn on, yet if i lay it on its side it works perfectly. its been happening for a few months so i just lay it on its side but im moving soon and im going to need it stood up, can someone help. oh and it is switched off when i move it obviously. thanks

[Plastic Nev]

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

Being a custom build, my suspicion turns straight to something loose behind the mother board, a screw or other metal part. When laid down flat, whatever it is falls away, but when stood back up it is dropping onto a connection on the motherboard and short circuiting to the case.

With it turned off and the power lead disconnected, if possible remove the cover, then try standing first on its end, or even completely upside down, if you hear something rattling about inside when you do that, it is most likely to be what I suspect is a screw, nut, or other loose metal part.

If you can't persuade whatever it is to fall out completely, it will need the motherboard removing from the case to get at it.

 

Nev.

[deano40]

thank you for the reply but but thats what i thought so tried that first. sometimes when i turn it on it powers up then turns off after a couple of seconds, then other times it says cant find boot manager, also no hdd. i changed the power unit 3 times also, everything on the mb has been replaced. could it be something to do with the rams because even though they all register as working ok in the startup menu, when vista starts up it says its only got 3n half yet the start up says 6

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, from what you say now and considering you have looked at my suggestion for something loose, the only thing that could be orientation sensitive is the hard drive itself.

If you have an external hard drive or other large storage device or medium, first off I would recommend fully backing up everything while the computer is on its side and working.

 

Then remove the hard drive from the case and reconnect it, while it is held in your hand start the computer up and move the drive to different positions, if it either works in one position but not another, then there is your fault.

 

Nev.

[deano40]

hi

it was the hard drive, i had to get a new one. thank you for your help :)

[KenB]

Hi

 

Good to hear that your system is up and running again .....literally :)

 

If you have not already done so - it may be possible to get your data off the old hard drive using a caddy or hard drive to USB adapter.

Let us know if you need more information.