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Computer won't turn on
Name: dee2199 Date: June 16, 2008 at 05:48:14 Pacific OS: Windows XP CPU/Ram: 2800/1gig Product: Compaq Presario
Comment:
My computer was on, when suddenly a thunderstorm began and the power went out. After the storm I could not get my computer to turn back on. I get an orange light on the back showing the internet connection is on and there is a green light next to a red 115/230v switch on the back. I have tried disconnecting and reconnecting the power cable. I looked for some short of reset and couldn't locate one. I also opened the side panel and could find nothing wrong inside the tower. I unplugged and replugged the switch directly behind the power on button and got nothing. The monitor power button is flashing like normal when the computer is off and the printer is on as normal. They are all plugged into the same surge protector so I know that is not the problem.
Name: guapo Date: June 16, 2008 at 06:05:12 Pacific
Reply:
The lightning might have fried your power supply. If you don't see the POST, chances are that's what happened.
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Response Number 2
Name: dee2199 Date: June 16, 2008 at 06:39:28 Pacific
Reply:
Had a feeling that would be the most popular answer. Something in the computer was getting louder over the past few months and I had a feeling that the power supply was going. The computer is about 6 years old now. Luckily we needed to change out a power supply on another computer that was off the shelf a couple of years ago to put in a stronger one so it could run a faster graphics card and I can probably try swapping in that one since it was brand new at the time and has just been sitting in a box since.
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Response Number 3
Name: Jennifer SUMN Date: June 16, 2008 at 06:44:33 Pacific
Reply:
I'd also recommend that you connect your computer to some sort of surge protector so that this doesn't happen again.
Life's more painless for the brainless.
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Response Number 4
Name: guapo Date: June 16, 2008 at 06:46:00 Pacific
Reply:
You're quite lucky if you already have another PSU available. Just make sure it's close enough in output.
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Response Number 5
Name: dee2199 Date: June 16, 2008 at 07:12:52 Pacific
Reply:
The computer was connected to a surge protector. The monitor and printer were plugged into the same surge protector and they are fine.
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Response Number 6
Name: Ghostman 1 Date: June 16, 2008 at 07:17:36 Pacific
Reply:
Are you on Dial up or DSL ? I have seen lightning come through Phone lines as well.. And it would fry the modem/keyboard and mouse all at once.
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Response Number 7
Name: dee2199 Date: June 16, 2008 at 07:52:47 Pacific
Reply:
I actually use cable internet.
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Response Number 8
Name: Ghostman 1 Date: June 16, 2008 at 12:49:54 Pacific
Reply:
Is your cable routed through the surge protector..??
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Response Number 9
Name: dee2199 Date: June 17, 2008 at 09:07:24 Pacific
Reply:
The cable internet goes from the wall outlet to the modem and then to a Router. The Modem is plugged into a surge protector. The router is also plugged into the surge protector. There is a line that runs from the router to the computer. I have spoken to our office IT tech and his thought is that since I have lights on the back of the tower - it is more likely to be the motherboard that is fried than the power supply. Any Thoughts?
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Response Number 10
Name: guapo Date: June 17, 2008 at 13:22:31 Pacific
Reply:
You said you have another power supply that you could use as a test. Why are you still guessing when you could know for sure? Swap it and see if it works?
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Response Number 11
Name: dee2199 Date: June 18, 2008 at 05:33:13 Pacific
Reply:
Tried to swap power supply and found that my motherboard only has a 20 pin connector but the newer power supply has a 24 pin connector and the pins are a hair larger, every other connection is perfect, but since I can't connect the main one-can't use the new power supply. The computer is about 6 years old and the new power supply is only about 2 years old.
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Response Number 12
Name: Ghostman 1 Date: June 18, 2008 at 07:02:23 Pacific
Reply:
If it is a newer Power supply,the should be a break in the connector so you can use the 20 pin. Well at least thats what mine has..
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Response Number 13
Name: dee2199 Date: June 18, 2008 at 08:20:31 Pacific
Reply:
I didn't notice one, however the box it is being stored in for the power supply we put into my daughter's computer 2 years ago, says that 500 watt power supply has replacable pins so it can be used by either 20 or 24 pin motherboards. I didn't see any break point on this one, and the pins seem a little bit larger than the ones on the connection on the motherboard.
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Response Number 14
Name: Ghostman 1 Date: June 18, 2008 at 09:48:13 Pacific
Reply:
Well, I would first try to get another power supply some how and see if that works, Then if it does not start up, Then there could be a bigger problem with the Motherboard.. I am working on one right now with a bad power supply,It is almost the same has your story. Only in this case, It also fried the MotherBoard as well..
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Response Number 15
Name: dee2199 Date: June 20, 2008 at 06:09:16 Pacific
Reply:
Tried to swap power supply, but there was no break point from 24 to 20 pins. The spare power supply I have can only be used on a 24 pin motherboard. No sense in paying for another new power supply or paying anyone to test it. Cost wise I guess it is time to upgrade to a newer computer. Thanks for all your help.
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Response Number 16
Name: Ghostman 1 Date: June 20, 2008 at 07:50:55 Pacific
Reply:
You can get a power supply for under $20.00 to test it , to see if that is indeed your problem..
Name: dee2199 Date: July 31, 2008 at 11:54:31 Pacific
Reply:
I took the tower to the Geek Squad at Best Buy and had them test the power supply and it was dead. As soon as they hooked up a new power supply it turned on. They didn't charge me for the test, but the cheapest one they had in stock was $90. I ended up ordering one from Newegg.com for $19.99 and installing it myself. My computer is now up and running again. Thanks for all your help.
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