Computer will not start

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Today, when comming back from school. I go to my computer and press the power button. And to my suprise nothing shows up! Then I remember "ah! I forgot that I turned the surge protector off!" So I turn on the surge protector, then pressed the power button on my computer... But nothing happened. No whirring, no clicking, no nothing.

I know its definately the computer itself, the monitors and speakers have power, and I tried it on different outlets and it still doesn't work. Any help please?

[Rexman64]

If your computer won't start, how are you posting here?

Um... Did you check to make sure the power cable was plugged into the back of the tower?

If that's not the case, one of the power supply cables from inside the tower might have come loose...

[Slater]

The surge protector may need a few minutes or so to charge its onboard battery before it starts outputting power... maybe.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

1. I'm using my laptop.

2. Slater, that can't be possible. I turned it off last night and turned it back on when I got back from school (so it was off for maybe 14-15 hours)

[Mr. Rogers]

Try checking all the cables. Starting from the outside, then inside to the power supply. I supposed you could also check to see if the power button (the one that you push) is hooked up correctly to the motherboard, though those things are a pain to see if they are on the right pins.

Slater is talking about a UPS (Uninteruptable Power Supply). They look like this:

http://www.cdw.com/shop/hubs/default.aspx?hubpage=/hardware/powerprot.html

They have a battery, but I doubt it would be drained if everything was turned off (if you even have one to begin with).

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Everything seems to be okay on the inside and out... do you want me to detatch the power supply?

[Sephiroth]

it could be your actual power switch that is not working, that or the power supply. hmm or it could be you power cable. if you have any other power cables try that, or check the fuse in the cable. though i dunno how different power cables in the US are to european ones..

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Its not the cables. Somebody told me its either the power supply or motherboard BIOS.

So how do I tell which it is?

[Sync]

if your BIOS was damaged the computer would still power on but wouldnt pass POST;
check with a flashlight for any burn marks around the motherboard (if the cause is a damaged capacitor). for testing the power supply maybe find someone with a tester box (or get one for about $6-$10), or pull it out and connect the mainboard ATX power cable to another computer motherboard to see if it'll power on.

[Shao Feng-Li]

I can only guess the power supply died, but I hear that it just doen't happen very often.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Well, I do see the little light on my motherboard... whats that mean? I guess it means its functional?

[Mr. Rogers]

that light on the motherboard is usually to tell you that the motherboard is recieving power

[Mithrandir]

Well, that light at least means one of the power sources for the MB is working.
Find a manual for your MB and see if it shows both the 12 and 5 V+ are working.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Well, that light at least means one of the power sources for the MB is working.
Find a manual for your MB and see if it shows both the 12 and 5 V+ are working.

I don't believe I have the manual... I bought this computer from Dell about 2-3 years ago... >_> Anyway I bought a 450W Rosewill Powersupply off of Newegg yesterday. I hope it fits

[tripperdan99]

Try this...

Unplug the computer. Press and hold the power button for about 20 seconds

Plug unit back in and now try the power button. On some units (not common) there was a capacitance (sp) that build up that prevented the ATX soft switch from working. Not common but seen it a number of times, plus I'm having issues with Dells and their power supplies lately also. (I baby sit about 4000 computers)

td99

[Mr. SmartyPants]

My rosewill 450W PSU came in today. Hooked up up and everything is running smoothly! <3 <3 <3

*Kicks Dell in the shins*

[tripperdan99]

figures, I've had a rash of power supplies die, must be a bad batch. Units only about a year old kicking the bucket.

Glad you got it going

td99