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View Full Version : Speaking too soon... (Self-build problems!)


Jingo
20-01-2011, 12:16
After praising the past two years of unfaltering use on my self-build in another thread, I woke up to a machine that would not power up whatsoever :(

After testing plug sockets and power cables and finding them to be fine I noticed there was no light on the psu when connected to a working socket.

After obtaining a replacement psu and setting everything up - I'm still getting nothing, no lights on motherboard, no booting action whatsoever (The replacement psu does not have a light on it to check btw).

This leads me to believe that it must be:

- the power switch connection? (but there's still no light on the motherboard).

- the motherboard has died when the psu went? (There was no 'bang', minor explosion or incident of any sort - the machine powered down as normal on last usage and then simply offered nothing the next morning).

- Something I have missed - it could be something simple or silly I have missed or not known to have checked?

Any ideas or knowledge anyone has would be really appreciated :)

Thank you

Burble
20-01-2011, 12:19
Buggered motherboard would be my guess. Have a close look and see if any of the capacitors (they look like small cans) are bulging.

The power switch is unlikely but it's worth trying - get yourself a jumper and short the pins that the power switch connects to.

Jingo
20-01-2011, 12:35
I regrettably think you might be right Burble :(

There's usually a little green led on when a power supply is connected and turned on but currently nothing!

The capacitors all 'look fine' to me but I'm guessing the motherboard could easily be shot without any visually noticable damage...

Burble
20-01-2011, 12:50
I'm guessing the motherboard could easily be shot without any visually noticable damage...

It can indeed. Some components are more likely to show physically when they're dead but most won't.

Jingo
20-01-2011, 13:07
OK thanks for your help Mr Burbs - I think i'll be finding a new MB to hopefully solve the problems... I just dislike the idea of having to spend out more dollar, faff around setting up mirror raids, reinstallations of umpteen programmes and all the other gumf!

Karl mentioned about Knoppix to help ease the transfer so it might not be too bad :)

Jingo
20-01-2011, 19:11
Low and behold the problem *appears* to be fixed! :eek:....

I've noticed that the psu came with some sort of 'extending' cable for the 4-pin. I've removed this and the mobo light came on!...

Now the new psu is firing up the machine, it appears to be acting as per normal...!

Fingers crossed this is problem solved - Thanks for advice all who responded on here and msn :)