Hardware help needed

Hello there folks. I have a problem with my (main) computer. I was sitting around surfing on the Internet from my IPAQ which is connected to my pc via bluetooth and trough the pc out on the Internet I had problems connecting to the Internet so I checked it out on the pc. I got the message saying "a network cable is unplugged" with 2-3 second intervalls and between the messages it worked fine. I thought this was just some bug that would be fixed by restarting so thats what I did.
Rebooted, choose to load windows XP (got dualboot with XP and windows 2000, xp for working and 2000 for gaming) and everything was fine and dandy. All of a sudden the darned thing just went black, like if the power cable had been disconnected. Now it wont start or do anything. I have tried removing networl card, dvd-rom, floppy and just about everything exept the GFX card. Still wont start. No lights flashing when I push the power switch, no dvd-rom spinning, no nothing. If I disconnect the power cord and re-insert it the power indicator on the motherboard flashes for about a split second and the fan spins a couple of times when I push the power button but then - nothing.
Could it be the power unit that's broken? Would the power indicator on the motherboard still flash if that was the case?
The system I have is a AMD XP 2000+ with a GeForce 4 MX, 256 Mb RAM, noname network card. Pretty much standard equipment all the way. I have never had any problems with it before and it was working just fine this morning.
Any idea on what might have happend?

Possibly a Short circut ot you may need a New battery for your motherboard...maybe..

I would try a different outlet. I noticed that you said MIN pc so i'm guessing that you have another. Try using another power cord. But most likely its a burn out piece of hardware.

I would attemp to Mix and Match hardware parts between both computers until you find the broken piece of hardware.

I've heard of this before (on this very site) where the backplane of the motherboard was shorting out on the case (I think it was a bad screw position or something). The solution they came up with was to take it all out of the case, lay it on the floor and then boot it.

It definitely doesn't sound like a bad fuse, so that should rule out the cable (as the fuse wouldn't allow anything to happen). Are you getting any beeps from the mobo? As spools said, can you try changing the memory/cpu with your other PC?

I would make sure that nothing is lose and all cabels are connected correctly.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm gonna check the mb to see if it shorts out but that isnt very likely since it worked fine a couple of hours earlier and no one had toughed it before it broke down. I cant switch processors since they have different sockels.
There are no beeping from the motherboard (the only beeping is me going "work you *beeep* of a *beeep* of I will *beeep*"). And i tried different cables already, no luck there either.

If you have a spare power supply you may want to give that a try too, start small just hook up the motherboard and the hard drive and build your way up, its possible you are overdoing your power supply or that it is going bad.. BOL -spy

Make sure that the fan in the Power Supply is working. Sniff around it to make sure there is no acrid, burnt electronics smell.

If the fan on the power supply is working, the next thing to do is test for output voltage. If you have a small multi-meter, disconnect the motherboard power connectors (all of them) and test for DC voltage (usually between +/- 3 and +/- 12 volts -- check the label on the PS to see what the output levels are supposed to be). You only need to check a couple of the lines.

If you are getting voltage output your PS should be OK.

If the power supply fan is not working, the PS probably overheated and is likely dead.

Good luck!

I once had a similar problem with a server. Once you pressed the power button it would try to power up and then just shut down before it could boot. I took off the case and it turned out that the plastic cover on the power button was sticking, so that when you pressed it, it stayed pressed in and shut the machine off. I broke off the cover of the power button and it's worked fine since. To be honest if this happened to you after it had already powered up and was working it is unlikely that it is the same problem, but it might be worth a look just in case.

I would say the power supply has malfunctioned. Rapier57 has the right idea, as does Spyrus.

If you do have a spare or can borrow one I would try it, but make sure it has sufficient output to support your current kit.

Good Luck

I've been doing some testing and moving some parts around and as far as I can tell it's the power supply that has given up but I'm not quite sure yet. I have too much to do try and replace it right now and I dont think the power output on my other one is the same so I guess I'll have to buy a new one. A big thanks to all of you who took the time to help me.
Hope I get my baby running again soon.

The power supply is the first place to look as there is a power good signal going from the supply to the cpu. If that signal isn't received the system will fail to boot.The next place would be the cpu fan. You said you have an AMD 2000+ correct? I have built over a 100 amd systems. I have failed to plug in the cpu fan a couple of times also:bawling:
The result was the exact situation you describe. Check the cpu fan and be sure it's turning.
If not.....the fan AND cpu need replacing. A high speed AMD chip will burn in second if the fan isn't working.Keep your fingers crossed and hope it's the power supply.

[QUOTEThe solution they came up with was to take it all out of the case, lay it on the floor and then boot it.[/QUOTE]

A sure way to kill everything with a bad dose of static!!

Make sure you have a Anti Static mat if you do this, or at least a mouse mat as most of these are anti static mats too!

TOOL KIT Hint: Go to Wallies world (Walmart) purchase a $5 digital multi meter.. remove from packet.. switch to the V position.. now black probe goes to a pin in a Molex plug that has a black wire going in.. now the red one .. when attached to the red wire.. should read 5V and when attached to the Yellow Wire.. should read 12V.. if these are dramaticly different like 0V.. then you have a PSU failure or .. the MOBO has a confused BIOS.. reset bios.. check the 2032 battery should read 3V or so (not <2.95V)

BTW.. Anti Static Mats are CONDUCTIVE.. not a good idea either


cheers

Yeah you might electocute your carpet.

I also agree with rapier57. My folks' computer had a similar problem and it turned out to be a bad power supply. For what seemed like no reason the computer would just shut off as though the power cable was yanked out of the socket. At first all that we needed to do was flip the main power switch on the power supply itself on the back, and then press the cases power button on the front and it would start up and work for awhile, but then it would do the same thing again later on. Replace your power supply ASAP before you chance damaging anything else in your machine.

I once had a problem with a M/B where the fan would turn for half a second then would quit. After that it wouldn't start at all unless I unplugged the PS for a minute. I took the M/B out of the case hooked everything up again and it worked. Ended up being a short with a screw behind the ram. So try that.

Quote:

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I have built over a 100 amd systems. I have failed to plug in the cpu fan a couple of times also

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Sounds like you were the one building my machine :D because when I got it I just hooked it up and turned it on. 2 seconds later I had a burned cpu on my hands. They hadn't connected the cpu fan and all I could do was send it back. Kinda sucks since I had been waiting for it for nearly two weeks at that time. Well well, that is long ago forgotten.

This time it's different though. The cpu fan is and was securely plugged in. Like I said in an earlier post, when I unhook the power cord and then plug it back in and switch the power on the power indicator on the motherboard flashes for an instant and the cpu fan turns 2-3 rounds. Judging from this I see no other alternative than a broken power supply.
All I have to do now is
1. buy a new one - no problem, cheap and easy to come by
2. install it - bigger problem since I'm not a great one for fidgeting with tiny gadgets and, to be honest, am not very experienced in exchanging parts inside a computer. Sure, I have installed my share of network adapters, GFX cards and such but never a power supply.
I'm greatful for any helpful hints here, anything I should keep in mind when I do this (except unplugging the power cord :D )?

I'm telling you, its a short somewhere.

Have you tried taking the M/B out of the case yet?

check SMPS sure u will have a faulty Smps

I think you've had a power surge.Get a power surge protector.