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Question

Computer won't power up

by Oct 4, 2016 2:23PM PDT

A computer I built 3 months ago won't power up. Pushing the power button doesn't cause any sort of cycling to occur. If I unplug and reconnect, case remains completely dark. However once I push the power button, an indicator light on my video card comes on and stays on. Otherwise no indication that I hit the button.

Background - When I came home, computer was acting weird. Case was on, fans on, lights on. However no connection to monitor or mouse (LEDs off). Computer responded to a power button push and went to sleep, but didn't come back on. That's when I switched power supply off and back on a few minutes later. Now I'm at the situation above.

Am I looking at a power supply issue, a mother board issue, or maybe a faulty line in the case? Any recommendation on where to start would be most welcome.

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

4 Posts
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Answer
You really can't tell from that.
by Forum moderator Oct 4, 2016 2:26PM PDT

Google "the dead pc" and you find the usually is to downsize the PC to as few parts as can be. We don't need more than 2 parts and no case to reach rock bottom but how far you go varies with each dead PC.

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Follow up
by Bigguykc Oct 4, 2016 2:37PM PDT

Can I provide any additional information that would help?

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Yes.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Oct 4, 2016 2:51PM PDT

You can start downsizing until it works. At worst I've taken it down to motherboard and PSU on a cardboard square. Then I had to use "The Green Wire Test" and a Volt meter to tell which of the last two parts it was.

There are folk that think a tech can tell from the information so far. Sadly they may say "you need a new PC" or "the service counter is to the West."

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Answer
turn the power off for half hour or more
by Oct 4, 2016 5:32PM PDT

Plug the plug if you have to. Some PSU will never reset until powered down for awhile, especially the cheaper ones.

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