Thu Nov 22 01:05:30 2001

I have the plugs in the right place but I've switched the OS and monitor plugs several times and still nothing is happening!

WTF is going on? She tells me she didn't drop it. I know I didn't. Could just sitting it on its side do that to the desktop?

Seriously, need help.

M.

Thu Nov 22 02:49:45 2001

If that doesn't work, I'd next suggest that you remove any cards except for video (assuming it's not on-board video).  If the computer fails to boot at that time, then I'd say a tech should look at it.

Could just sitting it on its side do that to the desktop?

No.  But that doesn't mean it wasn't jarred or even dropped while you were away.  (Not saying your mom isn't telling you the truth, but a drop could cause this problem.)

hit the "start" button(hardware not OS)

That's typically called the power button, FYI. ;)

I've switched the OS and monitor plugs

The OS requires a plug now?  :confused:  Of course I surmised that you're referring to the power cord for the computer itself.  It just reminded me of people who point to the computer's case and call it "the hard drive."  ;)

Hope this helps.

Thu Nov 22 03:04:03 2001

But seriously, it's a new machine. I DID crack her open, against everyone's wishes over here and I DID confirm:

1. The RAM seems to be seated ok.
2. I removed the vid card and re-seated it. There seems to be no nic. My guess is that it's integrated into the mobo because all my PCI slots seem empty.
Now I can't tell if they're both seated right but I CAN say that they're not crooked or anything.

3. Then, I checked the wires from the POWER button(happy?) to the mobo. They're connected but I unhooked them and plugged it back in, careful to align the prongless spot with the blocked hole.
Then I unscrewed and checked the wires on the button themselves. The black wire made a snap sound but seems firmly on there.

4. I've got the psu unscrewed and I'm trying to figure out a way to start it wiout anything else. Is that possible?

Give me a break, this is the first time I've taken a machine by myself apart(wiout my bosses or sys admins).

I'm doing my best. :(

M.

Thu Nov 22 07:08:20 2001

Thu Nov 22 12:14:00 2001

More advice in Case and Cooling a while back.

Thu Nov 22 14:20:38 2001

Notice the ON/OFF switch.

Turn it ON. Then press the Power button.

Say "Ahh".

(hehe)

Thu Nov 22 18:24:44 2001

from Riso posted at 9:20 am on Nov. 22, 2001

/me points to the back of the PSU

Notice the ON/OFF switch.

Turn it ON. Then press the Power button.

Say "Ahh".

(hehe)

Very good point, Riso.  (And JR who also mentioned it.)  It's often difficult for me to drop down to the lowest level of end-userdom.

Assuming this is a newer machine (i.e. PentiumII-era or later) that supports auto power-down, then this would indeed be an issue.  There's a main power switch on the PSU which is typically left in the "on" position.  It's quite easy to move that switch to the off position when lifting/moving the computer, unless you're one who always lifts the computer from the bottom.

Fri Nov 23 00:50:08 2001

if it *does* activate the psu like that, then shut it down and add the ram. test. add video card. test. add other cards. test. add devices (being careful to plug them in the right way). test. see where this is going? :)

or you could just call compaq if it's still under warranty.

(Edited by pauli at 7:52 pm on Nov. 22, 2001)

Fri Nov 23 01:43:53 2001

"Welcome to my parlor", says the spider to the fly.

Choose an avatar and stay a while!

Sun Nov 25 04:15:58 2001

Mon Nov 26 19:28:31 2001

Sorry but I was out of town(Can you believe this happened the night before I left?!).

Dumb question but... a lot of PC boxen have a "hard" and a "soft" power switch.   If the hard power switch (usually a small rocker switch) is off, the big ol' power button on the front ain't doing nothing...

There is no soft/hard power switch mechanism. There is only *one* power button but thanks for trying Jeremy.

           
to short across two of the wires in the PSU-Mobo lead to start it with no mobo. Bascially, get a paperclip and put one end in the green wire's hole and the other in any black wire's hole. Then you can turn on the power and the fan should start.

A. I'm not shorting anything.
B. I'm not shorting anything.
C. The machine is a loaner AND I don't want to void the warranty.
D. I'm not shorting anything.

But thanks for the help. Really. :)

/me points to the back of the PSU

Notice the ON/OFF switch.

Turn it ON. Then press the Power button.

Say "Ahh".

Me points to the PSU and shows Riso that there is *no* "on/off" switch, simply an orange switch for 115/230 for use as a tower or as a desktop.

Me hears Riso say "d'oh".

Harbinger ...

Very good point, Riso.  (And JR who also mentioned it.)  It's often difficult for me to drop down to the lowest level of end-userdom.

True. Still, I'm content that most ppl on Ars basically gave me the same diagnosis I had made, considering my limited hardware skills. I knew it was the PSU. I have no doubt. While it is an empowering sensation, I still prefer the ease of never having to open your machine. ;)

Assuming this is a newer machine (i.e. PentiumII-era or later) that supports auto power-down, then this would indeed be an issue.

It is. There is no manual PSU switch. Short of rebuilding the PSU myself, I'm going to need outside help.

There's a main power switch on the PSU which is typically left in the "on" position.  It's quite easy to move that switch to the off position when lifting/moving the computer, unless you're one who always lifts the computer from the bottom.

Uh, no there isn't. Unless it's inside the PSU case. Is that possible? If so, what would such a switch look like. On the metal case of the PSU itself, there is no switch other than the 115/230 and the machine won't start under either.

assuming the psu does not have its own switch turned off (it shouldn't have one, i can't remember seeing one on modern oem machines for the very reason that it might get turned off), and you've made sure it's set for 115v instead of 220v,

It doesn't and I did.

and you're sure it's plugged into the mobo correctly...

I am, Pauli.

try shorting the power switch leads on the mobo. if that doesn't work (and you verify the psu works by shorting the correct pins on the atx plug, i *think* it's wire 14 and any black ground but i'm not sure), then pull every card out and disconnect all cables. if it fails to power up with nothing but cpu and power lead plugged into the mobo... take a guess as to which component is in question.

E. I am not shorting anything.

if it *does* activate the psu like that, then shut it down and add the ram. test. add video card. test. add other cards. test. add devices (being careful to plug them in the right way). test. see where this is going?  

Unfortunately, yes. I rebuild the machine. I *literally* ripped out the mobo and put it back together. It's not the vid/hd/RAM/proc...etc. It's the PSU. I'm fairly sure it's fried.

or you could just call compaq if it's still under warranty.

Bingo! I called them today. They were *very* nice. I'm hoping I'm under warranty. If so, I simply have to call them tonite(24/7 service) and have an appt for someone to come by tomorrow or Wed. Then they fix it.

I hope.
But thanks for the suggestions.

Oh, and thanks Pizza. :rolleyes:

Mad.

(Edited by Madan at 11:31 am on Nov. 26, 2001)

Mon Nov 26 20:59:07 2001

On the metal case of the PSU itself, there is no switch other than the 115/230

and the machine won't start under either.

No, no I daresay it wouldn't ever start after having ever been set to 220/230 and turned on. My uncle tried that, once. For him it was a new mobo + CPU + PS. Be ready to call compaq back if you tried too much stuff with it switched to 220. (if it was already well and truely dead before then, it may not have hurt anything, but there's no telling until you have the new one to try out...)

Good Luck.

Mon Nov 26 21:13:41 2001

M.

Mon Nov 26 22:26:49 2001

indicated that the 115/230 switch was *only* from switching between tower and desktop modes.

As for the manual + CD, I'd have her searching garbage bags for them ;) (I too lost my $150 Win 98 SE disc not long ago. I'm still pissed.)

Tue Nov 27 00:12:24 2001

from Madan posted at 3:13 pm on Nov. 26, 2001

indicated that the 115/230 switch was *only* from switching between tower and desktop modes.

Tue Nov 27 21:54:48 2001

and i have an avatar. it's the 900ft invisible jesus. you just can't see him cause:

a: he's too big to fit in the space allotted for avatars.
b: he's fucking INVISIBLE!

Tue Nov 27 22:58:45 2001

;)

Mad!

Wed Nov 28 00:20:34 2001

Wed Nov 28 01:58:29 2001

Wed Nov 28 11:26:29 2001

Precisely *why* are you resurrecting this dead thread?

Presumably because he felt like it, and had something to say. Ya think?

:eek: :eek2: :eek: :biggrin: :evilgrin: :biggrin: :eek: :eek2: :eek:

(Edited by Imitation Gruel at 3:27 am on Nov. 28, 2001)

Wed Nov 28 13:22:46 2001

Alliterations are almost always absolutely awesome, assholes! :biggrin:

Sun Dec 2 18:04:09 2001

                                    Precisely *why* are you resurrecting this dead thread?

it's not dead...

do i have to say it? well, this is osy, so the answer is, "indeed!")

IT'S JUST RESTING!

(Edited by pauli at 1:04 pm on Dec. 2, 2001)