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General discussion

Can't turn on PC...PSU problem?

Dec 13, 2004 12:42PM PST

Our PC cannot power up but the modem, router and monitor are powered up. When the button is pressed, nothing happens - no lights, no fan, no noise except the clicking of the button. I have tried another power cord which did not help at all.

The motherboard was replaced recently. Could this be a PSU problem? I'm really sick of this computer we have had to fix it 2 times already this year. I personally just want to take out the hard drive and the CD I have in the DVD drive. It seems a waste to fix it again but I suppose whatever is cheaper is the way to go. Any advice please? Thank you.

Discussion is locked

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Re: Can't turn on PC...PSU problem?
Dec 13, 2004 2:12PM PST

Plucky,

The power supply seems like a good place to start...Check the current power supply wattage and when purchasing something new, look for 350 watts or larger..I'm guessing the one you have is 250 watts or smaller.

Of course, it's always your choice as to whether a "fix" is in order or something "new" is the better option..

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Re: Can't turn on PC...PSU problem?
Dec 13, 2004 2:22PM PST

Thank you very much Grif. I'm ready to throw this computer away but alas I'm not the only one using it. How would I go about getting my CD out of a drive please? Or is this best left to someone with more experience?

Thank you for your time.

Plucky

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Re: Can't turn on PC...PSU problem?
Dec 13, 2004 7:44PM PST

Most CD drives have a way to eject a stuck CD. Look for a small hole near the open button. Get a paperclip, straighten it and gently press it into that hole. It should open the CD drive.

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Thank you!
Dec 14, 2004 12:57PM PST

Great idea...thank you very much. I will use this in the future. We have decided to send the PC for repair but apparently it is not the PSU.

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Re: Can't turn on PC...PSU problem?
Dec 13, 2004 10:02PM PST

Try this: remove all HD type power coonections to any other attached but leave the CD drive attached. Press the power button with your finger on the CD drive eject button as well. The chance it may pop open is slim but it could. Otherwise, remove CD drive entirely(physically) and place in another system, attach, power on and eject then. It needn't be installed, just connected(hanging on the side) and see if it ejects then. Your orginal problem is either a weak p/s unit(under rated) or the overall the quality isn't good. A decent p/s unit should be 350W, but 400W+ is better. Not only that but a secondary problem that repeats to damage the p/s could be present. Thus, a CD, HD, or too many fans on mtrbd. could wreak havoc on an iffy p/s to begin and after time, fails. Quality, is a value all its own and pays for itself over time. You can try reducing the system demands by having a minimized system, only FD, video and CD and 1-stick of ram and try to boot. Does it beep at all?

good luck -----Willy Happy

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thanks
Dec 14, 2004 1:01PM PST

Thank you very much. Sorry I couldn't take your advice because by the time I read your reply we decided to send this away for repair...or at least see what the problem is.

I think what you said could be the problem. But apparently the PSU is fine but as you said quality definitely helps. The people who built the PC used dodgy hardware from what I was told and we had to replace the motherboard recently.

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removing cd
Dec 15, 2004 1:30AM PST

If you look closely at your CD tray, near the button you press to open the tray, you will find a tiny hole.
Spread open a paper clip, and slide into that hole.
If you slide it far enough, about 2 in. it will release the tray, and then you can pull it out.