Okay, there have been many posts here about their computer not starting up. Whenever I read them, they always say they can turn the computer on. In my situation, however, I can't even start up the computer. I press the power button, but nothing happens. I opened the computer to see if anything was wrong, but there wasn't anything plugged in that wasn't plugged in before.

I'm not sure how anybody could tell me how to solve a problem like this over the Internet, heh. Perhaps somebody could send me a diagram showing me what plugs in where? Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I don't believe so. Please help.

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If you get absolutely no response, the problem most likely is the power supply or powerstrip. Have you tried another power outlet? Also, check on the back of the computer on the power supply for an O/I toggle switch. It should be set for I.

It does sound like a bad power supply, but it would help if you gave a little background. Just saying it won't turn on doesn't give much to go on. Had it been working OK up until now? If so, did you make any hardware changes that may have brought this on? Is the PC connected to a surge protector? Have you had any power related problems or electrical storms where you are? It could simply be that the PSU "gave up the ghost". It happens......

Asus A7N8X-X
1800+ @ 8 x 210MHz
512MB PC3200
Asus Ti4800SE 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro

If you get no response at all, I would consider dumping the cmos. To do this, although many will tell you that the "reset cmos" jumpers on your motherboard will work, I would do it the old fashioned way, and unplug the power from the wall, and remove the small battery on your motherboard (it looks a lot like a watch battery). Let it sit for a few minutes and plug it back in (without the battery). Try to turn it on. If it doesnt turn on, Theres a good chance you Power supply is toast. Ive had it happen to me a few times, and it can be a real pain unless you have another to test with.

Also check the cpu fan. This is a classic case of a bad cpu fan.

Okay, the computer hasn't been used in a while. Here's how the story goes: basically, it's a Windows ME, so we (my family) decided to get a Windows XP (along with which, we got a new computer). The old computer was just sitting around for months until, one day, I decided to move it into my room. Up until that point, it had been working fine. So, I put everything together, connected and hooked up everything, pressed the power button, but it wouldn't turn on. My computer is plugged into a power surge. This same power surge supports my GameCube and TV. Nothing seemed to be wrong, so I unplugged everything and opened up the computer.Some things weren't connected, so i put them in, tried again, and it still didn't work. I found some plug that said "Power SW/LED" that wasn't plugged in anywhere. That wire came from the box behind the power button, too. Could that have anything to do with my problem?

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yes, that is your problem. There should be 2 seperate plugs, one for power led, and 1 for power switch. They both need to be plugged into your motherboard in coresponding spots. The best way is to lay the machine down, and have a lot of light, so you can see exactly where they go. If you have a model type of the machine, we may be able to help you locate the correct spot for the plug. The power led is not needed, as it only lights up your light on the front when its on. (You should still use it for convenience). let us know what you find so we can help.

Some things weren't connected, so i put them in, tried again, and it still didn't work.

What things? Did you take precautions against static discharge? Did you know what you were plugging in to what?

I found some plug that said "Power SW/LED" that wasn't plugged in anywhere. That wire came from the box behind the power button, too. Could that have anything to do with my problem?

Yes, that is a wire to your power switch and LED power indicator on the front bezel of the case.

The things I connected inside the computer were more loose than disconnected altogether. They were disconnected, but still in their slot, so I just pushed them in.

The "Power SW/LED" plug is only one plug, and you (spinemangler) said I didn't need an LED switch (even though it would be convenient). Does the SW make up for the LED?

The model is an ATX100-5.

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ok, that model number looks like the power supply model number. Its a hewlett packard, right? Look on the front of the case for a model number. One other thing, is the power led/switch, one plug? If it is, it will probably be easy to figure out where it goes. Either way, let me know

On my power supply, it says my model number is ATX100-5. That's the number I'm looking for, right? Or is there another one?

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Oops, ignore my last post, heh. Okay, would the model number be the serial number?

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you need the number from the front of the computer. The power supply model number is the same on hundreds of HP, and compaq compters. On the fron, does it say "pavillion 8971", or something like that. If you can supply me with that info, I can help you a lot more

The only reading on the front says the OS, processor, etc. On the back, however, there's a lot of stuff, and one of the words there says "HP Pavilion XG825." Could that be what we're looking for?

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Okay, I did some poking around with that number, and I finally went to HP's website and found that the model number is P3997A.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=ca&docname=bph07170 < That web page gives me a view of the motherboard, but I can't find where "Power SW/LED" would go.

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OK, the "front panel" connector is the one you want. Scroll down that page about 3/4 of the way down, and theres a "front panel connector" section with a small diagram. That has the layout of your pin locations, and should show where you need to plug that part in. The tricky part is HP decided to group the 2 plugs into one, so you will nee to do a little bit of looking to determine which is which. from the looks of this diagram, the power led, and power switch are not next to eachother. How many pins can fit into the plug you have?

Aah, I'm lost right now. Because the two plugs are grouped into one, I can't plug it in? Why is it bad that the power switch and power LED aren't next to each other?

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how many pins can fit into the plug

Six. I found spot to put it in, but it still wouldn't turn on (I'm probably doing something wrong). But then I noticed something else: there's a plug from my power supply that says "P8" on it. I can't find a spot to plug that in, either. Those two are the only plugs.

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Well, it's obvious that it wasn't "just sitting around for months until, one day, I decided to move it into my room".

Wires don't just become detached on their own. Someone opened the case & started messing around with things. How about being straight with us?

Asus A7N8X-X
1800+ @ 8 x 210MHz
512MB PC3200
Asus Ti4800SE 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro

Well, if someone did take the time out of their life to open up a computer, detach wires, and screw it back together, I certainly wasn't aware of it. I can't be "straight" with you if I don't know about it.

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You dont need to plug the p8 into anything. It is there in case you add something else. And Jam, its plainly obvious that your a tool, so if you could keep your incredibly intelligent comments to yourself, because im pretty sure your the only one listening. Cham, you gotta just line up the plug with the one on the diagram, and you should be all set. You just gotta look at it for a minute, and try to line stuff up. Theres not much more we can do until you line that plug up correctly.also make sure the switch on the back of your power supply is on. All I can say now is good luck, and I hope it works.

So, when I test it, do I have to screw everything back together and hook everything back up, or just turn it on?

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Never mind, I found it. Woohoo, thanks for all the help!

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