Help, Computer won't even turn on

[yochanda]

Two nights ago I went somewhere, came back and my computer was off. I went to turn it back on and it wouldn't. I have it connected through a surge protector and when I opened up my unit, I noticed that my CPU fan and the box's front fan turn around one rotation then stop. Anyone have any ideas on what the problem is? I'm thinking it would be a power supply problem- I just installed a new video card and windows XP a couple weeks back.

[blubomber]

Is there anything else plugged into that surge protector that does work?

I would also try opening the case back up and make sure everything is seated properly. If that does not work, remove all peripherals from the motherboard except the memory and video card. If that does not work, try your old video card. If you have another Power supply laying around, try it.

Just keep playing the process of eliination game until you find the culprit. But, given the symptoms, i would try the power supply first.

[Hungrycookpot]

was it like storming or anythign when you were out? or did anyone else around you complain of a power-outage or anything? Maybe your comp got fried somehow? Other than that, i would probably blame the power source. First maybe try a CMOS reset? And if that doesnt work, try a new PSU.

[TechKnickle]

Does the back of the PSU (where the fan is) smell like it has some kind of burnt-up metal or like a phosphorus smell?

Was the PSU inside ever cleaned from dust and other foreign paticles? Or was it really dusty, if so it would most likely be your PSU giving the problem to you.

Read the other posts above for more trouble shooting tips.

[yochanda]

Yes, everything else plugged in works just fine. There was no power outage or anything. My computer just turned off. What is CMOS?

[TechKnickle]

CMOS is complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (Don't get confused by the words). It is just a fancy acronym for the chip on your motherboard that holds setup information.

[John Prophet]

try it plugged straight into the wall

do you use dial up? if so...you could try it with the modem card pulled out....lots of times lightning or a surge will fry the modem and the comp wont start....

otherwise, as suggested...you might have to strip it down and see if it will boot stripped down

take out all pci cards (sound cards, modem, ethernet etc)

if that doesnt work unplug the ide cable from the board and take the power cords out of the hard drives and cdroms....of course with the hard drive unplugged it wont boot into windows but u can see if it at least stays on

[miriam]

you say your cpu fan turns once and than stops. The fan on the power supply is essential to keeping your computer from overheating. Check to see if it starts and stops, If it does than you would wanna replace the power supply.

[DestructoBro]

my computer has been doing the same thing. it sometimes turns off after about 40 mins, and sometime when i turn it on, it will go off in about 2 sec. i