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Question

Computer Won't Do Anything

by Apr 24, 2015 9:08AM PDT

Help! I am an avid Mac user, but have a couple of older windows PCs. I also have experience repairing computers. The computer I need help with is a HP Pavilion m9000. It used to have Windows Vista but I put Ubuntu 14.04 on it. It has worked since I bought it in 2009, but a couple of weeks ago, I tried to turn it on, and the tower booted, but no externals worked (I use a wireless mouse, plug-in keyboard, and HDMI/VGA monitor). I have opened the tower and cleaned inside, as well as looked for loose wires and other problems, but it still does not work. If I could get the keyboard and monitor to work long enough to boot to USB, I might be okay, but the keyboard does not do any input and the monitor does not receive a signal.

What can I do to fix my computer?

Thanks

Discussion is locked

4 Posts
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Answer
The thing is.
by Former Forum moderator Apr 24, 2015 9:24AM PDT

Diagnosing is not possible with that story. Google "How to fix a dead PC" and you'll find there is no single answer. I like to get the machine beep first.

You claim you repair computers. OK, how many Volts does the CMOS battery read?
Bob

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More Specifics
by TheSkyGuy98 Apr 24, 2015 1:55PM PDT

Sorry about the semi-vague story. My specific model is an HP Pavilion Elite m9340f. It has an NVIDIA GeForce 9500GS graphics card, but using the integrated ports do not work either. I do not even get a beep from the computer, it just turns on and starts whirring, maybe loading, I don't know, because no keyboard works, and I get no display signal. I want to boot to USB or CD, but that required at least the keyboard to work. I have repaired computers before as a job, but I do not have a battery voltage reader.

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A computer repair tech without a Volt meter?
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Apr 25, 2015 1:18AM PDT

I guess you start replacing parts till you find it. Since a low/dead CMOS battery can stop some machines form beeping/booting and it's cheap, start with that.
Bob

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Answer
after reset of CMOS by shorting
by Apr 25, 2015 7:08AM PDT

put a multimeter on the PSU outputs. Sounds like the 5V line (used for USB ports) might be dead. Also visually look at the larger caps (capacitors) near the CPU, make sure none of them are blown, burnt, pushed up, etc.

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