dead computer--motherboard?

[JRD77VET]

My "good" computer has been acting up, freezing every now and then and the past week it started shutting off at random times. ( just like you pulled the plug )

This afternoon it shutdown all by itself and now doesn't start. Hard drive gets a couple clicks but no beeps at all from it. If I turn the monitor off and back on during what should be the start up, it reads "no signal".


I'm thinking dead motherboard due to random shut offs and no beeps.

If it is completely dead, suggestions for another desktop, I'm thinking refurb and under $200 ( just spent $700 on the Jeep earlier in the week :ack: )

Thanks
Jeff

using a 10 year old laptop that is for picture duty only for vacation :lol:

[simpleman68]

Damn Jeff :sadangel: power supply possibly?
Scott

[NeedSpeed]

Doesn't sound good. Off chance it could be the power supply.

[SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84]

Vote # 4 for the power supply...

[Grey Ghost]

Not the power supply if he is hearing it clicking. Check the PS fan and see if it is spinning or moving air. You can also see if it has a CPU fan and if it is moving.

You can try removing all the chips that are pressed in - including memory, etc...reseat all of them that you can. Then give it another try. Also, blast it with some compressed air if you see dust buildup.

[JRD77VET]

I'd point at the power supply first.

Damn Jeff :sadangel: power supply possibly?
Scott

Doesn't sound good. Off chance it could be the power supply.

Vote # 4 for the power supply...

New power supply in Sept 2013
http://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/off-topic/56302-pc-died-after-freezing-what-check.html

[NeedSpeed]

Not the power supply if he is hearing it clicking. Check the PS fan and see if it is spinning or moving air. You can also see if it has a CPU fan and if it is moving.

You can try removing all the chips that are pressed in - including memory, etc...reseat all of them that you can. Then give it another try. Also, blast it with some compressed air if you see dust buildup.

If the power supply is not completely dead but weak it can cause strange behavior.

[JRD77VET]

Not the power supply if he is hearing it clicking. Check the PS fan and see if it is spinning or moving air. You can also see if it has a CPU fan and if it is moving.

You can try removing all the chips that are pressed in - including memory, etc...reseat all of them that you can. Then give it another try. Also, blast it with some compressed air if you see dust buildup.

I'll give this a try tomorrow morning

[JRD77VET]

Damn Jeff :sadangel: power supply possibly?
Scott

No worries :toast:

[simpleman68]

New power supply in Sept 2013
http://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/off-topic/56302-pc-died-after-freezing-what-check.html

On a side not, very dusty environments can kill computers very quickly.
I cooked more than 1 computer that was within 50' of my wood stove.
As clean as I could be, those things make a ton of internal dust.

I know it's a long shot but if it is a power supply issue, I'd consider it.
Scott

[NeedSpeed]

New power supply in Sept 2013
http://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/off-topic/56302-pc-died-after-freezing-what-check.html

Our troubleshooting doesn't change :lol:

[JRD77VET]

On a side not, very dusty environments can kill computers very quickly.
I cooked more than 1 computer that was within 50' of my wood stove.
As clean as I could be, those things make a ton of internal dust.

I know it's a long shot but if it is a power supply issue, I'd consider it.
Scott

Coal insert is on the first floor. The computer has been on the second floor, under the desk the entire time I've had it.

Maybe it's just "used up". :dunno:


TigerDirect.com decent for their refurbs?

[JRD77VET]

If you bought the PSU linked in that thread...then yes, it could still be the PSU.

EDIT: That's barely a 180 watt PSU in modern terms (the 12 volt rail).

I thought it was labeled 450 watt :confused5: ( going off memory, laptop is too slow to open another window :banghead: )

[simpleman68]

Coal insert is on the first floor. The computer has been on the second floor, under the desk the entire time I've had it.

Maybe it's just "used up". :dunno:


TigerDirect.com decent for their refurbs?

I've snagged a few goodies from Tiger and they've been very good so far.
Only issue I had was with an old monitor that has a red line show up and then disappear every now and again. Been doing that for 2 years. :Jeff '79:
Scott

[NeedSpeed]

Is it very dusty? Fans caked up? Heat is what kills PCs, the dust just causes the heat to work.

What's the temp been like where the PC is at? Can you get it cold easy? Like in a garage or something?

[JRD77VET]

Is it very dusty? Fans caked up? Heat is what kills PCs, the dust just causes the heat to work.

What's the temp been like where the PC is at? Can you get it cold easy? Like in a garage or something?

Some dust but too too thick. It's in a second floor bedroom and as far as temp, it may get down to 65*

[SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84]

Every 1st of every other month I use compressed air and 2' paint brush to clean everything inside with a vacuum cleaner nozzle nearby to pick it all up.
Power supply gets lots of compressed air at one side and vacuum nozzle at the other. PSU really packs in the dust over time.

[NeedSpeed]

Some dust but too too thick. It's in a second floor bedroom and as far as temp, it may get down to 65*

I've seen cases where if it's cold, or you can keep the CPU cold it'll work fine, but die under normal operation.

You might try opening it up, and putting some forced air on it to see if it will start or do anything different. Though, does it act the same if it's been off awhile?

[JRD77VET]

I've seen cases where if it's cold, or you can keep the CPU cold it'll work fine, but die under normal operation.

You might try opening it up, and putting some forced air on it to see if it will start or do anything different. Though, does it act the same if it's been off awhile?

I turn it off every night and as of now, the switch on the back at the power supply is turned off too. I'll blow it out tomorrow and see if that worked.


Thank you everyone for the help, it's greatly appreciated :cheers:

[2k4ce]

This can happen for the reasons above (as mentioned...) But I can also happen if a USB peripheral is going on the blink.

Have had issues where a bad mouse cable, of all things, would cause a system to shut down and not power back up.

When it happens, and won't fire up, unplug everything but monitor and power and see if it turns on.

[DukeAllen]

Like the above I'd check power supply first. And get a cooling pad for that laptop.

[Black94lt1]

It wouldn't happen to be a Lenovo would it? They had a run of bad motherboards, ask me how I know!

[09CTSV]

I've snagged a few goodies from Tiger and they've been very good so far.
Only issue I had was with an old monitor that has a red line show up and then disappear every now and again. Been doing that for 2 years. :Jeff '79:
Scott

Just bought a Barebones kit and put together. So far it is rocking, once I figure how to make Win 7 download to the HD instead of the SSD I'll be happy. Computer is very fast booting up on the SSD.

[Jeff '79]

Coal insert is on the first floor. The computer has been on the second floor, under the desk the entire time I've had it.

Maybe it's just "used up". :dunno:


TigerDirect.com decent for their refurbs?

I just bought a Refurb Dell Optiplex 780 which is small enough to sit under my monitor on top of my desk.
It's 2.6Ghz with a Pentium Dual Core CPU, ES 300, DDR3, 4Gb, 64 Bit with Windows 7.
Cost at Tiger Direct was $199.00 minus a $10.00 coupon .
I had to load all of my programs etc, but so what. It works great, and has a 1 yr. warranty.
This is not the exact one but pretty close to it.
DELL 760 Desktop PC - Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66GHz, 4GB Memory, 160GB HDD, DVDRW, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (Off-Lease) - RB-DL76264167 at TigerDirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8698985&CatId=2628).

Seriously, for $200.00? Just get it.and be done with the BS for another few years.:cert:

[simpleman68]

I just bought a Refurb Dell Optiplex 780 which is small enough to sit under my monitor on top of my desk.
It's 2.6Ghz with a Pentium Dual Core CPU, ES 300, DDR3, 4Gb, 64 Bit with Windows 7.
Cost at Tiger Direct was $199.00 minus a $10.00 coupon .
I had to load all of my programs etc, but so what. It works great, and has a 1 yr. warranty.
This is not the exact one but pretty close to it.
DELL 760 Desktop PC - Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66GHz, 4GB Memory, 160GB HDD, DVDRW, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (Off-Lease) - RB-DL76264167 at TigerDirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8698985&CatId=2628).

Seriously, for $200.00? Just get it.and be done with the BS for another few years.:cert:


:iagree: Almost impossible to beat those refurb deals online. You might get yesterday's tech, but that is plenty enough to keep your working/surfing for a couple years. :yesnod:

Jeff, I also get my equipment from a company in Malvern called Alpha Computers. They attend all the computer trade shows locally and are great guys to deal with. They speak very little English but their prices match or beat online retails.
I've been going there for over 10 years.
Scott

[Jeff '79]

I would have got this one if it were available when I was ready.

HP Compaq DC5800 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8GHz, 4GB Memory, 1TB HDD, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (Off-Lease) at TigerDirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8669512&Sku=1AS-102107698)

It's faster and has more memory. It's a SFF which means it's very small. (Small Form Factor).
By the way... If you're not a gamer, these are totally sufficient for your surfing, video watching, picture, and music needs. :yesnod:

[Cybercowboy]

If the power supply is not completely dead but weak it can cause strange behavior.

Yup. Had the 12V rails go out on one of my computers last year and it was acting really weird.

[carlton_fritz]

Just bought a Barebones kit and put together. So far it is rocking, once I figure how to make Win 7 download to the HD instead of the SSD I'll be happy. Computer is very fast booting up on the SSD.
Why do you want Win7 on the HD instead of the SSD?

[Cybercowboy]

Why do you want Win7 on the HD instead of the SSD?

I think he means that when he downloads stuff, like stuff off the interwebs, it is getting placed on his SSD instead of his HD. If that is the case, then he just needs to go into his browser settings and change the default download folder to one on the HD.

[Thunder22]

I would have got this one if it were available when I was ready.

HP Compaq DC5800 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8GHz, 4GB Memory, 1TB HDD, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (Off-Lease) at TigerDirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8669512&Sku=1AS-102107698)

It's faster and has more memory. It's a SFF which means it's very small. (Small Form Factor).
By the way... If you're not a gamer, these are totally sufficient for your surfing, video watching, picture, porn and music needs. :yesnod:

Fixed :)

btw- I just picked up 2 toshiba 15.6 laptops with i3's and win7pro for the paretns, $499 each. phenomenal deal.

[Jeff '79]

Fixed :)

btw- I just picked up 2 toshiba 15.6 laptops with i3's and win7pro for the paretns, $499 each. phenomenal deal.

I hope you like the Toshibas, but we have one and I hate it. I don't even use it because it's that bad.
I would never get another. We also have a Dell and it's ok, not great, but usable.
The finger pads are sub-par on both of them, leading to the degree of dislike for them.

[snide]

Fixed :)

btw- I just picked up 2 toshiba 15.6 laptops with i3's and win7pro for the paretns, $499 each. phenomenal deal.

I hope you like the Toshibas, but we have one and I hate it. I don't even use it because it's that bad.
I would never get another. We also have a Dell and it's ok, not great, but usable.
The finger pads are sub-par on both of them, leading to the degree of dislike for them.

I picked up a cheap Toshiba on Black Friday last year. Posting from it now. While I don't love this laptop, it works. And it was cheap.

The battery was DOA. Filled out a form on Toshiba's website the other day. Got a new battery delivered the next day, and send the old one back. New battery works great!

I'd consider a Toshiba again.

[09CTSV]

I think he means that when he downloads stuff, like stuff off the interwebs, it is getting placed on his SSD instead of his HD. If that is the case, then he just needs to go into his browser settings and change the default download folder to one on the HD.

Correct, I typed this while getting frustrated at Win 7. So used to XP. I got it figured out and have it up and running. I just need the wife to decide which email program to use. I don't like the windows live crap. I hope she picks outlook.

[JRD77VET]

I've seen cases where if it's cold, or you can keep the CPU cold it'll work fine, but die under normal operation.

You might try opening it up, and putting some forced air on it to see if it will start or do anything different. Though, does it act the same if it's been off awhile?

It really didn't have much dust in it at all. I reseated all the boards and it's still dead.

One of the guys at work "plays" with computers so I'll have him take a look at it. He's good for basic repairs and he keeps up on who has good prices.

Once again, a sincere Thank You for those who helped :toast:

[JRD77VET]

I would have got this one if it were available when I was ready.

HP Compaq DC5800 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8GHz, 4GB Memory, 1TB HDD, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (Off-Lease) at TigerDirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8669512&Sku=1AS-102107698)

It's faster and has more memory. It's a SFF which means it's very small. (Small Form Factor).
By the way... If you're not a gamer, these are totally sufficient for your surfing, video watching, picture, and music needs. :yesnod:

Negative on the HP. My brother purchased a HP a few years back and any upgrades cost a small fortune due to proprietary hardware/software.

[Jeff '79]

Negative on the HP. My brother purchased a HP a few years back and any upgrades cost a small fortune due to proprietary hardware/software.

I've had HP's forever and love 'em.
You don't seem to be a guy who will update a computer.
A $200.00 computer is basically disposable.
If you need more, buy more right off the bat.
At the speed that technology is progressing, it's three years and on to the next one, so that's why I go cheap.

[Datawiz]

I'd point at the power supply first.

First thing that came to mind too.

Second would be the cooling fan on the cpu if it has one.

[The_Dude]

I am going through the same thing with my HTPC. It died a couple of weeks ago after a power failure. Lights and fans would come on, but nothing on the screen. A new power supply didn't change anything. I just about have my new one built now. It's been one thing after another. I was trying to save money by salvaging as many old parts as I could. So far, I have been a complete failure.

[JRD77VET]

I am going through the same thing with my HTPC. It died a couple of weeks ago after a power failure. Lights and fans would come on, but nothing on the screen. A new power supply didn't change anything. I just about have my new one built now. It's been one thing after another. I was trying to save money by salvaging as many old parts as I could. So far, I have been a complete failure.

Thanks for sharing that uplifting story :leaving:

Hope you get it figured out :seasix:

[The_Dude]

Thanks for sharing that uplifting story :leaving:

Hope you get it figured out :seasix:

I just meant I failed at being able to use anything from the previous build. I wanted USB 3.0, so I needed a new case. I didn't notice that the case I chose mandated low profile expansion cards, so I had to buy a new tv tuner card. The specs for the case said it supported standard ATX power supplies, so I bought a decent modular power supply for a good price. Well, the case is also too short for a standard DVD/bluray drive, if you use an ATX modular power supply, so I had to buy a laptop bluray drive and a 5.25 adapter to put it in the case. I got the machine running yesterday, but I'm still waiting for my capture card and bluray drive. My old machine was running 32 bit XP. I'm hoping my DVR software will run on 64 bit windows 7. Snapstream hasn't updated that software since 2010.

[JRD77VET]

I'd point at the power supply first.

Jim put in another power supply and it works :hurray:

I'll have it back tomorrow :cool1:

[Rob]

Jim put in another power supply and it works :hurray:

I'll have it back tomorrow :cool1:

I have been waiting to see you were back up and running :cert:

[JRD77VET]

I have been waiting to see you were back up and running :cert:

I'm on the ancient laptop right now. Tomorrow I'll be more current :seasix:

[simpleman68]

:dance:

Make sure you get a reasonable quality unit this time! :lol: Crappy PSUs are almost never worth the time to deal with and they can take out your whole machine if you're unlucky.

Yeah, seriously. Don't pick the same one that last guy got stuck with. :leaving:

Really glad that's all it was. Does make me want to go back and slap the guy that did the work.
Scott

[JRD77VET]

Yeah, seriously. Don't pick the same one that last guy got stuck with. :leaving:

Really glad that's all it was. Does make me want to go back and slap the guy that did the work.
Scott

My shoulder is starting to feel better, can I try ? :D

:bslap:

:hurray:

[simpleman68]

My shoulder is starting to feel better, can I try ? :D

:bslap:

:hurray:

Hell yeah, the guy's shop is across from the Lehigh Valley Mall. :yesnod:

Glad the shoulder is doing well.
Scott

[Sneaks]

My shoulder is starting to feel better, can I try ? :D

:bslap:

:hurray:

Use more hip rotation and arm swing. That will cut down on shoulder stress and give you more wallop to your pimp hand. :D

[JRD77VET]

Use more hip rotation and arm swing. That will cut down on shoulder stress and give you more wallop to your pimp hand. :D

I'm ambidextrous so if the right doesn't hit hard enough, I'll use the left :D

[Sneaks]

I'm ambidextrous so if the right doesn't hit hard enough, I'll use the left :D

I didn't realize we were talking about your :joebuck: sessions.
:lol: