PC lights on but nobody home - Teh Forum

<body> <div id="header"> <span class="left"> <span class="back"><a href="lthread_list.php?webtag=DEFAULT"><span class="image mobile_back" title="Back"></span></a></span> <span class="image mobile_logo" title="Beehive Forum Logo"></span> </span> <ul> <li> <a class="reply_all" href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.0&return_msg=41538.1"> <span class="image mobile_reply_all"></span><span class="text">Reply to All</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="navigation" href="#"> <span class="image mobile_navigation"></span><span class="text">Show messages</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="main" href="#"><span class="image mobile_menu" title="Menu"></span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="menu main"> <ul> <li><a href="lthread_list.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Messages</a></li> <li><a href="lpm.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Inbox</a></li> <li><a href="lsearch.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Search</a></li> <li><a href="llogon.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Login</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="menu navigation"><a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.1">1–10</a><a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.11">11–20</a>…<a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.51">51–60</a></div> <div id="page_content"> <h3 class="thread_title"><a href="index.php?webtag=DEFAULT&amp;msg=41538.1">PC lights on but nobody home</a> </h3> <div id="messages" data-navigation="41538_1_60_10"> <a name="a41538_1"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_1"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: milko<span class="message_time">20 Jul 2015 19:39</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: ALL<span class="message_count">1 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.1">41538.1</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Yesterday, I did some photo editing, and then turned off my PC. Now, it won't turn back on. The lights on the motherboard and an external card reader plugged into the USB are lit up. But the power switch is doing nothing at all. <br /> <br /> Is it possible the PSU can be faulty given that at least some power is getting through? Any other trees I could bark up? There's a power button on the motherboard itself, which has a similarly nothing-at-all result, even though it too is lit up. I've removed all the USB devices and that's not changed anything either. Slightly worried I'll go buy a new PSU only to discover the motherboard's died or something. </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.1&return_msg=41538.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.1"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_2"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_2"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: ANT_THOMAS<span class="message_time">20 Jul 2015 19:48</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: milko <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 20 Jul 2015 20:48"></span></span> <span class="message_count">2 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.2">41538.2</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.1#a41538_1" target="_self">41538.1</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Quick and easy way to test the PSU, if you're careful, is to unplug it from the motherboard, and probably everything else, get a piece of wire and insert one end into the plug with the green wire, the other end into a black one. That should make the PSU turn on, fan etc.</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.2&return_msg=41538.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.2"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_3"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_3"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: 99% of gargoyles look like (MR_BASTARD)<span class="message_time">20 Jul 2015 20:21</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: milko <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 20 Jul 2015 20:48"></span></span> <span class="message_count">3 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.3">41538.3</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.1#a41538_2" target="_self">41538.2</a></div> <div class="message_body"> If that doesn't work I suggest, in no particular order:<br /><br /> Updating from XP;<br /> Reseating the RAM;<br /> Upgrading the PSU;<br /> Shouting, screaming, and thumping the keyboard.</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.3&return_msg=41538.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.3"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_4"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_4"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: milko<span class="message_time">20 Jul 2015 22:10</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: ANT_THOMAS <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 20 Jul 2015 22:11"></span></span> <span class="message_count">4 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.4">41538.4</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.1#a41538_2" target="_self">41538.2</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Hmm. I don't really have any wire and my case design is such that unplugging everything might not actually be that quick. But I suppose I may have to do it anyhow. <br /> As for Truffy's ideas. I could try reseating something. I dunno shouldn't it beep or something for those? Or at least spin up some fans?</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.4&return_msg=41538.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.4"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_5"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_5"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: ANT_THOMAS<span class="message_time">20 Jul 2015 22:12</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: milko <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 21 Jul 2015 11:30"></span></span> <span class="message_count">5 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.5">41538.5</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.1#a41538_4" target="_self">41538.4</a></div> <div class="message_body"> A paperclip is apparently good enough.</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.5&return_msg=41538.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.5"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_6"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_6"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: william (WILLIAMA)<span class="message_time">21 Jul 2015 07:57</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: milko <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 21 Jul 2015 11:30"></span></span> <span class="message_count">6 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.6">41538.6</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.1#a41538_4" target="_self">41538.4</a></div> <div class="message_body"> If you can get hold of a multimeter, it's reasonably easy to test a power supply. Here's a<s>n irritating man</s> <s>demonstrating</s> tutorial on U-tube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac7YMUcMjbw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac7YMUcMjbw </a><br /><br /> I had a very similar situation to yours a few months back and it turned out to be my motherboard that had failed even though the fans etc. were spinning up every so often.<br /><br /> Multimeters are cheap(ish) from somewhere like Maplins and when it's done you have a multimeter for next time.<br /><br /> </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.6&return_msg=41538.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.6"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_7"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_7"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: milko<span class="message_time">21 Jul 2015 11:31</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: william (WILLIAMA) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 21 Jul 2015 12:26"></span></span> <span class="message_count">7 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.7">41538.7</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.1#a41538_6" target="_self">41538.6</a></div> <div class="message_body"> I do have a multimeter! <br /><br /> I am going to do the 'taking out and reseating one a time' thing with the RAM this evening as well.</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.7&return_msg=41538.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.7"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_8"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_8"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: CHYRON (DSMITHHFX)<span class="message_time">21 Jul 2015 14:13</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: william (WILLIAMA) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 21 Jul 2015 14:28"></span></span> <span class="message_count">8 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.8">41538.8</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.1#a41538_6" target="_self">41538.6</a></div> <div class="message_body"> I kind of need to test my pc power outlet while the air conditioning is running on the same circuit to see if that's maybe been causing some of my problems, but I probably need a nortamericano to explain how to do that</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.8&return_msg=41538.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.8"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_9"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_9"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: william (WILLIAMA)<span class="message_time">21 Jul 2015 14:39</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: CHYRON (DSMITHHFX) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 21 Jul 2015 14:47"></span></span> <span class="message_count">9 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.9">41538.9</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.1#a41538_8" target="_self">41538.8</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Never mind all that. What you really have to beware of is finding a fault with your kit, replacing some parts and then being left with some perfectly good bits and pieces. If that happens, a little voice starts saying <span style="font-size:10px;">'you could build a server with that. Go on, you know you want to' Look, you've got the CPU and memory - and that old case in the attic - all you need is a cheap motherboard and...' <span style="font-size:12px;">and before you know it you're £lots ($lots) out of pocket and somehow you have more bits left over than you started with.<br /><br /> As for the air conditioning thing: I imagine a multimeter with its probes stuck in a molex would show any spike or drop out associated with a switching event. You'd have to sit and watch it as the timer or thermostat or whatever is tripped.</span></span><br /> </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.9&return_msg=41538.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.9"> <span class="rating">+1/1</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_10"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_10"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: CHYRON (DSMITHHFX)<span class="message_time">21 Jul 2015 14:53</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: william (WILLIAMA) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 21 Jul 2015 14:53"></span></span> <span class="message_count">10 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.10">41538.10</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.1#a41538_9" target="_self">41538.9</a></div> <div class="message_body"> And I've got the dusty old boxes of kit stacked around my midden to prove it!<br /><br /> At least I tossed a couple of old pc's a few months ago. Pretty sure I've still got a fucking huge old 8-bay server tower case stored in the back room. I'm actually using MrsD.'s old sff pc as a development server, also driving a scanner from an xp virtualbox on it.</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.10&return_msg=41538.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.10"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="message_page_footer"> <ul> <li class="right_col"><form accept-charset="utf-8" method="get" action="lmessages.php" target="_self"><input type="hidden" name="webtag" id="webtag" class="bhinputtext" value="DEFAULT" dir="ltr" /><input type="hidden" name="msg" id="msg" class="bhinputtext" value="41538.11" dir="ltr" /><input type="submit" name="submit" id="keep_reading" value="Keep reading…" class="button" /></form></li> </ul> </div> </div> </body>