 | Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years. Thanks, CNET Support |
Hey there! Recently bought a new PC from a friend but it doesn't quite seem to start up. Once I put the power cable into the PSU, and press the power button, it turns on and everything comes to life but nothing appears on the monitor. Together with that, the only way to turn it off is by pulling the power cable as pressing the power button doesn't work. I've tried connecting the VGA cable to another monitor just in case but nothing. Just loud purr of the fans, no beeps.
This is a Compaq Presario, with a newly added PSU (since the previous one blew up, don't worry, I changed the power cable as it was also broken) and graphics card being the Sapphire HD6670, 512MB ram but apparently (according to my friend) the motherboard has an integrated RAM of 4GB? Cooler master fan, and 160GB hard drive.
Here is a picture just incase it helps
http://i57.tinypic.com/otf8qo.jpg
Discussion is locked
Everything has been removed to put it as much to stock as possible. I managed to fix the loud noise problem, but unfortunately the power is still all on green, together with it not being able to turn off and be shown on screen. Would you say the PSU is not the right one for the system?
If it's missing that connection, then what you note will happen.
OK, let's catch up a little. You wrote you can't turn it off. TEST THIS!!! Press and hold the power button and some time from 4 to 20 seconds it should power down. If not I fear the motherboard is truly shot.
Bob
The missing ram could be the clue. Many of the Compaq's had service manuals so go find that and remember that sometimes it is our old friend BAD CAPS so you get to change what ever boards those are found on.
The power supply blowing up is typical of the BAD CAPS issues. Repairs often exceed the cost of another PC.
Bob
A RAM stick still remains in the system, and unfortunately I do not have such manuals.
What are bad caps if you don't mind me asking?
But without a complete model number I can only share I google that.
2. BAD CAPS? Google BAD CAPS. Plenty of content about it. Not much need to duplicate it here except to ask you inspect for that.
Bob
Apologies but my skills with IT are still at an Amateur level, could I provide you the model number or is that information that shouldn't be disclosed publicly?
2) Thank you, I'll check it out. Would it be fixable by myself by any chance or is that something an expert should be handling?
Sharing the full model number is what lets folk here help you. There's more folk here than me so your #1 reply is going to have me write that if such is considered a breach of privacy I think a repair counter is best.
2. All skill levels show up here and the prior discussions about finding and replacing BAD CAPS are out there for you to read, view pictures and decide if that applies and if repair is inside your comfort zone.
2 prime! I would never have an expert repair a machine with BAD CAPS with few exceptions. Why? Because said repair in most cases exceeds the replacement cost of the machine.
Bob
Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic