Is it a power supply problem?

[al8078]

Hi all,

I have trawled through the forums and found no answer so now I'm asking for help! The family desktop(HP compaq, approx 4 yrs old) will not boot up or switch off. (currently switched off at wall socket). When power is switched on the on /off switch lights up and for two seconds and the pc looks like it is booting up then nothing. Monitor says no input signal, pc on/off light stays on constantly and will not switch off. I have tried it with the casing off and green light on motherboard? is also constantly on. Is it time I bought new? Wife fretting (can't go on facebook). Sons fretting (can't get study tips/game cheats). All suggestions appreciated.

Thanks

Alan

[Tootech]

It's possibly a PSU fault, the only way you can check is to swap it for a known good supply unit ie borrow one or unfortunately, buy one.

 

It could equally be a mainboard fault, or memory fault.

 

If you are confident enough, make sure your system is powered off at the wall socket and remove the memory and reinstall it - just to reseat it. It does sometimes make a difference.

 

Next check is a PSU swap, then if that makes no difference, I would disconnect all the peripherals you do not need to boot - that means USB devices, then going inside, hard drives and CD drives.

 

If after disconnecting all of these things and booting you cannot get a boot screen then it is most likely a board fault.

 

If you need help going through this lot, come back and we'll try to go through each one at a time

[al8078]

Thanks Tootech,

I have reseated the memory and disconnected all usb devices. I have also disconnected the dvd/cd driver. The fan now comes on and stays on but still no input signal on monitor. I'm now off to try and get hold of another PSU.

Cheers

Alan

[al8078]

Hi Guys,

Just to update, tried another PSU and no change...took a trip to aria and couldn't resist, bought a new pc!(well, it is my birthday on Sunday).

[Diurno]

Glad to know that your problem is solved.

 

If you need any help with that new pc (let's hope not) you know where to find us!

[BeeCeeBee]

Happy Birthday enjoy the new toy!!

[Plastic Nev]

Happy Birthday, and at least a new machine is one answer.

However is there much data on the hard drive that you may need to get at? If so the hard drive may be used either fitted internally to the new machine, or put in a caddy and used as an external. Let us know and we will help you get that sorted if you need to.

[al8078]

Thanks for all your kind wishes. Not a lot of data on old computer just photos and music, I have backup for anyway. Having fun with new toy, no xp anymore now vista!

Happy New Year everybody.

Alan

[Plastic Nev]

Thanks for the reply, and glad all is sorted for you. You can if you wish still retain that hard drive, and providing it is still working can be used as extra capacity either inside the new machine, or as an external in a caddy so that it can be moved from machine to machine. (I don't like seeing good usable gear just discarded)

A great and Happy New Year to you to.