[opensuse] OT: Power supply problems
Hi, I just got back from trying to help a friend with a computer. She says that she moved it, and now it won't supply any power to the computer. The computer itself is 2 years old, so is that about the time when a power supply fails? If it's not that, what else could it be? Note: I looked at all the cables (power and IDE) and they were all on tight. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On Sunday 17 December 2006 19:50, John Meyer wrote:
Hi, I just got back from trying to help a friend with a computer. She says that she moved it, and now it won't supply any power to the computer. The computer itself is 2 years old, so is that about the time when a power supply fails? If it's not that, what else could it be?
Note: I looked at all the cables (power and IDE) and they were all on tight.
Does wall outlet has power? Is the extension cord good? Is power cord (from wall to computer) good and tight on both sides? Is power switch on the back of the box on? Imagine some more trivial reasons that might be before you open the box. For power supply to fail after 2 years seems too short. I have some really old and still work fine. -- Regards, Rajko. http://en.opensuse.org/MiniSUSE http://en.opensuse.org/Portal -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On Sunday 17 December 2006 20:50, John Meyer wrote:
Hi, I just got back from trying to help a friend with a computer. She says that she moved it, and now it won't supply any power to the computer. The computer itself is 2 years old, so is that about the time when a power supply fails? If it's not that, what else could it be?
Note: I looked at all the cables (power and IDE) and they were all on tight.
The first thing to look for: is there AC coming out of the wall outlet? If there is, then is there an UPS, and is there power coming out of that-- under load? Try changing the power cord to the computer. Is there a fuse in the computer that you can access? (Probably not.) Is the connection from the power switch on the computer to the MOBO connected? If you measure with an ohmmeter across the power switch wires (with them disconnected from the MOBO) does the switch work? Is the connection to the MOBO on the right pins? If all of this is copacetic, try disconnecting everything but the MOBO-- the disk drives, etc. and any plug-in cards, including the memory. See if the MOBO powers up now. If so, connect things one at a time until you don't power up. Whatever was the last thing is apparently defective. If you have a spare power supply, try substituting it and see if things work. You can then take the defective power supply apart, and see if it has an internal fuse that you could replace. (Probably not, but doesn't hurt to look.) Make sure your friend has not changed anything inside the computer during the move. Modern video cards come in at least 3 voltage ranges, and if you have the wrong one for your MOBO, the computer will probably not power up. If it does, you will let the smoke out of something! This may seem obvious, but is it possible that the computer is powering up, but the monitor is not responding? Then you have to troubleshoot the monitor, and its connection to the computer, and to the wall. Can't think of anything else. Good luck! --doug -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
Okay, and this is what she's saying (I don't know what happened): she went to move the computer towards her, she didn't open anything up, and it stopped. I looked in the computer and checked the connections. Everything seems tight. Again, I don't know how much she moved it (she says nothing sounded like it came loose, and I believe her, but I can't find anything that isn't connected. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On Sunday 17 December 2006 21:27, John Meyer wrote:
Okay, and this is what she's saying (I don't know what happened): she went to move the computer towards her, she didn't open anything up, and it stopped. I looked in the computer and checked the connections. Everything seems tight. Again, I don't know how much she moved it (she says nothing sounded like it came loose, and I believe her, but I can't find anything that isn't connected.
John, Have her check to see if there's a mini-rocker style 'master power' switch built into the back of the CPU chassis, at the power supply and in close proximity to the main power cord socket. These switches *usually* override the convenience On/Off/Delay-Off switch that is built into the front of the box. They're usually marked "0" ('Zero' for 'Off') and "1" (On) and are quite easy to inadvertently switch from one position to the other when you're moving/carrying the box around. Be sure to tell her not to touch the recessed "115-230VAC" switch. That switch does something entirely different! ;-) regards, Carl -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
John Meyer wrote:
Okay, and this is what she's saying (I don't know what happened): she went to move the computer towards her, she didn't open anything up, and it stopped. I looked in the computer and checked the connections. Everything seems tight. Again, I don't know how much she moved it (she says nothing sounded like it came loose, and I believe her, but I can't find anything that isn't connected.
Though the power supply mounted on/off switch is certainly a good possibility, if that isn't it I have seen a case flex enough to cause the pins on the agp video card to loosen enough to short out and cause the power supply to cut off as soon as it is turned on. Reseating it will fix that usually. HTH. -- Joe Morris Registered Linux user 231871 -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On 12/17/2006 Doug McGarrett wrote:
On Sunday 17 December 2006 20:50, John Meyer wrote:
Hi, I just got back from trying to help a friend with a computer. She says that she moved it, and now it won't supply any power to the computer. The computer itself is 2 years old, so is that about the time when a power supply fails? If it's not that, what else could it be?
Note: I looked at all the cables (power and IDE) and they were all on tight.
The first thing to look for: is there AC coming out of the wall outlet? If there is, then is there an UPS, and is there power coming out of that-- under load?
Try changing the power cord to the computer.
Is there a fuse in the computer that you can access? (Probably not.)
Our daughter just had a similar problem. The power wires came loose inside. Plugged them back in solid and everything was fine. There is a fuse. However it is inside the power supply. You have to take it out of the computer and disasemble to get to it. (o:]>*HUGGLES*<[:o) Billie Walsh The three best words in the English Language: "I LOVE YOU" Pass them on! -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
participants (6)
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Billie Walsh -
Carl Hartung -
Doug McGarrett -
Joe Morris (NTM) -
John Meyer -
Rajko M.