I think a power outage/surge may have killed my father's Emachines pc. The outage happened a couple of days ago and he can't get it to boot up since.

I came around tonight and when I went to switch it on, the amber light was already on so I turned the screen on but got nothing. So I attempted a hard reset, but it didn't power down after 5 seconds, or even 10 seconds. So I had to pull the power cable.

When I plugged it back in, the amber light at the front automatically came on and the psu fan started, but the dvd drive would not open or close. When i pressed the power button the amber light at the front turned off, the dvd drive blinked on, I heard the whine from the hard drive and it began running for about 2 seconds then it just stopped booting. The dvd drive would open and close normaly at this stage.

Next I opened it up and noticed the cpu fan was not working. I sequentially disconnected the dvd drive, floppy drive, hard drive and removed the ram, restarting each time. I even replaced the cpu fan but got no improvement.

On one of the restarts I got a clicking sound from the hard drive and unplugged it straight away, left it for a few minutes and tried again. No clicking, but no improvement. At no point did anything appear on the screen. It just remains black. I'm not sure what else to try. The system is old so I don't mind dumping it if I have to but my father has all his business files on the hard
disc and will be totally screwed if he loses it all. Any help at all would be a great help. Thanks

These are his specs
Emachines 220
Intel Celeron 2.5GHz
2x256MB Corsair Ram
40GB Hard Drive
CDRW/DVD
Intel Extreme Integrated Graphics
XP SP2

Suggest you try first replacing the powersupply. Emachines are notorious for cheap unreliable powersupplies. Your other diagnosis techniques are in the right direction but without a known good PSU you have no way to determine if any other damage was done by the power spike.

I used to have a signature but it disappeared and I just couldn't be bothered writing another so please feel free to ingore this.

Obviously your Father needs to get and use something to protect his computer and everything connected to it from power spikes and surges, including all devices that connect to AC power one way or another, and the cable that connects him to the internet.
However, sometimes things such as a lightning
strike somewhere near you on the power grid or a circuit breaker tripping at the location of the computer can kill the PS or other computer components in spite of there being such protection.

Dead or failing emachines computers
See response 1 in this:
http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/...

"...Next I opened it up and noticed the cpu fan was not working."

Normally it should be spinning whenever the computer is powered on and the mboard and PS are working properly.
Try it connected to another computer, such as on the 3 pin header for a case fan - if it works, the emachines PS is not putting out +12v, or the mboard is damaged and the circuits to the cpu fan header are fried.

"On one of the restarts I got a clicking sound from the hard drive..."
"....my father has all his business files on the hard
disc and will be totally screwed if he loses it all."

If the emachines PS is faulty, that doesn't necessarily mean the hard drive is damaged - a failing or failed PS usually hasn't damaged the hard drive(s), or the ram - try it connected as slave on either IDE or as master on the secondary IDE of another computer (don't boot with it on the other computer - XP probably won't load if the other mboard's chipset is more than a little different - that's normal and doesn't indicate the hard drive is damaged). You could check for obvious damage to it's power connector or cable, or it's data cable or it's connection, but that's rare.

"When I plugged it back in, the amber light at the front automatically came on and the psu fan started, but the dvd drive would not open or close. "

It won't open or close until it is getting at least +5v power - it uses both that and a little +12v power. Normally it will open and close anytime the computer is powered on and the PS is working properly, whether or not the data cable is connected, though there may be a delay depending on what the computer is doing and/or if it has a CD in it.
..........

You can also check the hard drive on another computer, connected so you aren't booting from it, with the manufacturer's diagnostics.
See the latter part of response 1 in this:
http://www.computing.net/windows95/...

If the hard drive works connected to another computer, your father can use it and it will probably work fine, but if the drive is connected to a mboard with a chipset that is more than a little different, XP Windows probably won't load when you boot with that drive - typically you see the first bit of Windows graphics when Windows starts to load, then a black screen with a blinking cursor top left, and nothing further happens.

In that case, if Windows was installed from a regular XP CD, you run a XP Repair Setup procedure if you don't want to lose the data already on the drive.
We can supply info about how to do that XP Repair Setup.

However, if he still had the orginal Emachines software installation on that computer, that is not an option.
He or you would have to:
1. - use the hard drive as is and either:
- have to get the Emachines computer running properly again, which may require you replace the PS AND some other components, often the mboard,
- or you get another working Emachines system of the same model, (or possibly another Emachines model that uses the same mboard but that's not a sure thing)
(the original Emachines software installation is "tied" to the original model and it's mboard - it and the OEM licensed XP on it can't be used for a different mboard)

2. OR - he or you must connect the hard drive to another computer as a slave on either IDE, or as master on the secondary IDE, and/or so that it isn't booted from, and copy all the data he wants to save elsewhere, then load Windows from scratch from a regular XP CD, load the drivers for the changed mboard and other components, and copy the saved data to the hard drive.

Thanks a lot for the suuggestions guys. I never realised emachins had such a bad rep for cheap psu's.

Tubesandwires, I followed your suggestion to try the cpu fan in another computer, as I suspected it was the culprit, but it worked fine. So that narrows it down to motherboard or psu.

I was going to try another psu as Richard59 suggested, but from your links I learned that the emachines psu is a non standard size and I wasn't sure if connecting a more powerful psu would damage the motherboard. I have no idea how to test the motherboard for faults. A visual inspection of cables, connectors and motherboard reveal no sign of any damage. ( In fact they look brand new ).

Most important is the data recovery so I'm going to attempt to connect the hard drive to my computer. I have only 1 hard drive in my machine so I'll connect it as a slave to that. Is this correct ? The emachine has an oem xp installation but I have the repair disc for it. Will I need this to transfer files to my pc in order to read the emachines hard drive ? Also could I damage my machine if the emachines drive is corrupted/damaged ?

" he or you must connect the hard drive to another computer as a slave on either IDE, or as master on the secondary IDE, and/or so that it isn't booted from, and copy all the data he wants to save elsewhere, "

This is what I hope to do.

" then load Windows from scratch from a regular XP CD, load the drivers for the changed mboard and other components, and copy the saved data to the hard drive. "

Do you mean, in order to use the emachines drive as a second drive on my machine I'll have to reformat it and install my machines motherboard drivers etc ?

I've told my father more than once, to invest in offsite storage or at least back up his data to disc. I think he'll listen to me now. Also, I think santa might be bringing him some surge protectors for christmas. lolol

Thanks again for all your time, help and information. It's greatly appreciated

"...the emachines psu is a non standard size"

That depends on the model, and on the size of the case - if it's in a micro atx case or a slim desktop case, the PS is micro atx sized, and most micro atx sized PSs are el-cheapo proprietary PSs that tend to fail more often, and it's an oddball smaller size.
For testing purposes, you can connect any standard ATX PS by propping it up beside the case, whether or not it fits in the case - the PS uses standard ATX wiring in any case.

I could look up whether your model has a normal PS/2 standard sized case or not - you specify it's model is 220 - normally there is something besides just the number - e.g. Etower, and/or a letter before the number - do you have something that goes with the number? The specific model is often on the label on the outside of the case.
Standard PS/2 size - 86mm high, 150mm wide, 140mm deep, or 3 3/8" h x 5 7/8" w x 5 1/2" d , or very close to that, though the depth can be more or less for some PSs.

"The emachine has an oem xp installation but I have the repair disc for it."

Any Recovery or Repair CD that comes with a brand name system software installtion allows you to re-load software from the hard drive's second partition that all brand name systems have, whether that second partition has been made visible to you in Windows or not (if it's visible it's your D logical drive, may be labelled Recovery or similar, sometimes you aren't allowed to access it, and/or you are warned not to alter it's contents). The second partition must be undamaged and in it's original state - if it isn't the Recovery Cd will refuse to attempt to load software from it.

If the second partition is missing or has been altered or has corrupted data, or if your hard drive is failing, the single Recovery or Repair CD is useless. You can only re-load your original brand name system software if you have a Recovery CD set for your model. Newer Emachines computers insist on you making a set of Recovery CDs when you first use the system. If that wasn't the case for your Dad's computer, you are supposed to make a set ofRecovery CDs while Windows is working properly, using an Emachines supplied program already installed in your Programs in the Start menu. If he didn't do that, then you would have to go online to the Emachines web site and order a Recovery CD set specifically for his model (e.g. for a HP computer I ordered a set for, it was $5x and arrived in about 4 days - that's a lot cheaper than even a regular OEN XP Home CD). The problem with that is Emachines support is so-so - if the model is older and isn't on their web site you may not be able to get a Recovery disk set for the system.

"Will I need this to transfer files to my pc in order to read the emachines hard drive ?"

You don't need the Repair or Recovery CD to do that.
If there's nothing wrong with the hard drive, you will be able to read it's contents no problem.

"...could I damage my machine if the emachines drive is corrupted/damaged ? "

That's extremely unlikely. If the hard drive is faulty you may not be able to read it at all, or can only read parts of it - e.g. clicking on a file or folder generates an error that it is corrupted. If the computer was on when the PS failed or the powrer spike or surge occured you may need to run CHKDSK /F on that logical drive, at a cmd prompt (Start - Run - type: cmd (press Enter); type chkdsk /f (d:) , where d; is the drive letter assigned by Windows (press Enter) answer yes to any question - it may say it will run chkdsk the next time you boot - if it does let chkdsk check the drive the next time you boot.)

"" then load Windows from scratch from a regular XP CD, load the drivers for the changed mboard and other components, and copy the saved data to the hard drive. "

Do you mean, in order to use the emachines drive as a second drive on my machine I'll have to reformat it and install my machines motherboard drivers etc ? "

No.
That info is for if you need to boot with the hard drive on another computer, which you don't want to do when you're just checking it to see if it's okay, if you don't want to repair the emachines system vand the hard drive is connected to a different mboard that isn't on the same emachine model.

There are often used working emachines motherboards available on the web if you're interested in that option, e.g. for maybe $100 or so. I could look up which mboard you need if you like. In many cases, Trigem, the Korean company that made the system, didn't make the mboard - it was supplied by a regular mboard maker and has an emachines bios version on it.

It's very common for people to not back up their data. The easiest way is to install a second hard drive or an external hard drive and have copies of the data on that.

Well I installed the emachine drive as a slave on my machine and all data seems present and correct. Had no problems during boot so it looks like the drive didn't suffer any damage after all. ( Phew ).

I may be able to get my hands on an emachines psu through a friend of a friend for testing purposes. I'll also try the suspect ( bestec ) psu in his machine if he'll let me. You were spot on with the measurments by the way.

" Standard PS/2 size - 86mm high, 150mm wide, 140mm deep "

The motherboard is "Imperial_GV 20030812" but to be honest, I'm not prepared to spend that much money on it. If it's just the psu that needs to be replaced I'll pick one up and sell the system on. I might get €150 for it, but if the motherboard is damaged I'll just bin the system and keep the drive in my machine as extra storage. Either way my father is getting a new Dual core system ( and an external hard drive ) in the next day or two. He uses Quark Express and Photoshop so the emachine was annoyingly slow for him anyway. But thanks for the offer to look one up.

And thanks again for all your time and support. Hopefully I'll be able to return the favour some time

"I may be able to get my hands on an emachines psu through a friend of a friend for testing purposes."

It doesn't have to be an Emachines PS - any standard ATX PS will do - if you're not sure, the main connector from the PS must have the same coloered wires in the same places - most PSs do.

"I'll also try the suspect ( bestec ) psu in his machine if he'll let me. "

I wouldn't if I were you in the case of a Bestec PS. See the info at the link I provided above - you can inspect it physically and confirm whether it is no good in most cases - it often stinks if it has failed.

"The motherboard is "Imperial_GV 20030812" "

That's a Trigem model. You may be able to get a used working one for $100 or less. Would you like me to find you some examples? If you would, I need your specific model number as I mentioned above - Emachines 220 may not be enough info - there are several different Imperial GV mboards.

Try a friends PS and go from there.

If you choose not to repair it, see the above info - if your Dad wants to save some data he doesn't want to lose he'll have to copy it somewhere. The Emachines software and it's licensed OEM XP copy can't be under on other mboards/systems. Some programs have files that hold the personal settings - e.g. email (e.g. Outlook, Outlook Express), Office programs - you can look up which files you need to save, some may have to be converted to a format compatable with importing, then they can be loaded (imported, or you replace the default file of the same name) on another Windows installation.

Sorry about the delay. I bought a new psu and that made no difference whatsoever. I wasn't going to spend any more money on the computer so I took what I wanted from it and took the computer to the recycling centre. R.I.P It was bought second hand for €300 in 2002 so there's no hard feelings. Thanks again for all your help

Better late than never.
Unfortunately your experience is common with emachines computers, caused because they use cheap PSs that cost them a few less bucks that are well known to fail and likely damage something else on the system.
I have heard there is a class action suit against emachines in the US somewhere but I don't know the details.
So now you know you can tell anyone who comtemplates buying or does buy an emachines system to spend a few bucks more, throw away the PS in it, and replace it with a decent one and they probably won't have any problems.