Did I ruin my entire computer?

drummerboy678 · 01-05-2006, 05:36 AM

Ok, I had installed two DVD burners... I turned it on, and only one worked... While the computer was still on, I was wigging cables, just checking around, and one of the burners power cables wasn't all the way in... when I wiggled it, it pushed in, sparked, and the computer went dead...

Since then, the computer turned on eventually and was actually working for 3-4 days, occasionally shutting itself down... I figured it was bad ram.

I took it home to work on it, and it stopped working all together... When I turn it on, fans start up and things hum, but no video signal is sent to the monitor.

Since then, I've replaced the video card, mobo, power supply, processor, ram, and all cables.

But when we wired up the new equipment, we ran it through the hard drives and the DVD burner (the one that sparked).

We then decided to essentially build a simple computer, using only the new equipment. Motherboard, power supply, ram, processor, video card, monitor... That was it. All new equipment, and it still didn't work... The monitor never showed anything, like it wasn't recieving any data.

We tried listening to the motherboard speaker, but there are no beeps...

Did plugging all these new things into the possibly fried burner, somehow short circuit everything? Is everything fried now?

I wasn't sure if this was possible.

Please help, if you have any suggestions... I'm desperate, and out about $2500 if this doesn't work.

Thanks

**The_Other_One** · 01-05-2006, 06:25 AM

First off, NEVER mess with your power connections when things are running...EVER! I think you learned that by now but I should reenfornce it

Now then, I suspect your main problem is your power supply. You could or shorted it out both times, so I'd suggest trying another WITHOUT the fried burner. It sounds like that's your problem but it's hard to tell when it's elecrical.

drummerboy678 · 01-05-2006, 07:25 AM

I did try it without the fried burner... It was just the motherboard, power supply, processor, ram, and video card. Still nothing.

All these are new. Thats what I dont understand. The only reason I can suspect that they dont work, is b/c right when I bought them all, I plugged them into the fried burner... Could that have fried them all too, even though they're new? Is that possible?

**The_Other_One** · 01-05-2006, 07:55 AM

So you tried everything with a new power supply that hasn't been exposed to the burner?

If so, I beleive you did fry it. Now we shouldn't jump to anything. Double check your setup. Be sure everything is correct. Remove anything you can(single stick of RAM, no cards other than video, etc) and see if it works...

**Lax** · 01-05-2006, 09:10 AM

QUESTIONS 101 You reset the BIOS yet (always first thing to do)?

drummerboy678 · 01-05-2006, 05:03 PM

I've tried a fairly simple setup, with just one stick of ram and the video card... still nothing.

Is there a way to reset the BIOS, when the computer isn't displaying anything? It turns on, I hear fans, but I never see anything. I didn't think I could reset the BIOS like that.

helmie · 01-05-2006, 05:26 PM

To reset the BIOS, you have to remove the battery on the Mobo, and in some cases, shift a jumper. Leave the battery off for around 10 Seconds, and Put it back in again. Check your motherboard manual to see if your board needs a jumper to reset.

Blue · 01-05-2006, 07:18 PM

Quote:

First off, NEVER mess with your power connections when things are running...EVER! I think you learned that by now but I should reenfornce it

This just cannot be stressed enough. I also wanted to ask. Why 2 dvd burners? surely you did not plan on burning 2 dvds at one time? You only need one optical drive in a PC. Now back to fixing your prob.

. Good luck.

spazz31585 · 01-06-2006, 03:45 AM

have you tried all these components (except the burner) in a different case as well?
it may sound wierd, but i have heard of cases where the wire for the power button actually shorts out.

JFlo · 01-06-2006, 04:01 AM

maybe one of your new parts could have been DOA (except video card cause it would work w/o it if it has intergrated video card already)

01-05-2006, 05:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
drummerboy678 New Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 10	Did I ruin my entire computer? Ok, I had installed two DVD burners... I turned it on, and only one worked... While the computer was still on, I was wigging cables, just checking around, and one of the burners power cables wasn't all the way in... when I wiggled it, it pushed in, sparked, and the computer went dead... Since then, the computer turned on eventually and was actually working for 3-4 days, occasionally shutting itself down... I figured it was bad ram. I took it home to work on it, and it stopped working all together... When I turn it on, fans start up and things hum, but no video signal is sent to the monitor. Since then, I've replaced the video card, mobo, power supply, processor, ram, and all cables. But when we wired up the new equipment, we ran it through the hard drives and the DVD burner (the one that sparked). We then decided to essentially build a simple computer, using only the new equipment. Motherboard, power supply, ram, processor, video card, monitor... That was it. All new equipment, and it still didn't work... The monitor never showed anything, like it wasn't recieving any data. We tried listening to the motherboard speaker, but there are no beeps... Did plugging all these new things into the possibly fried burner, somehow short circuit everything? Is everything fried now? I wasn't sure if this was possible. Please help, if you have any suggestions... I'm desperate, and out about $2500 if this doesn't work. Thanks

01-05-2006, 06:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 23 Posts: 12,368	First off, NEVER mess with your power connections when things are running...EVER! I think you learned that by now but I should reenfornce it Now then, I suspect your main problem is your power supply. You could or shorted it out both times, so I'd suggest trying another WITHOUT the fried burner. It sounds like that's your problem but it's hard to tell when it's elecrical. __________________ Desktop * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT Laptop1 * C2D T5550 \| 3G RAM \| 120G HD \| Intel x3100 Laptop2 * C2D T5250 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100

01-05-2006, 07:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 23 Posts: 12,368	So you tried everything with a new power supply that hasn't been exposed to the burner? If so, I beleive you did fry it. Now we shouldn't jump to anything. Double check your setup. Be sure everything is correct. Remove anything you can(single stick of RAM, no cards other than video, etc) and see if it works... __________________ Desktop * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT Laptop1 * C2D T5550 \| 3G RAM \| 120G HD \| Intel x3100 Laptop2 * C2D T5250 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100

01-05-2006, 09:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lax Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snow country Age: 21 Posts: 2,279	QUESTIONS 101 You reset the BIOS yet (always first thing to do)? __________________ He who controls the present controls the past. He who controls the past, controls the future.

01-05-2006, 05:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
helmie Diamond Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Highlands, Scotland Age: 17 Posts: 1,208	To reset the BIOS, you have to remove the battery on the Mobo, and in some cases, shift a jumper. Leave the battery off for around 10 Seconds, and Put it back in again. Check your motherboard manual to see if your board needs a jumper to reset. __________________ For sale: http://www.computerforum.com/111463-...tml#post893380

01-05-2006, 07:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
drummerboy678 New Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 10	I did try it without the fried burner... It was just the motherboard, power supply, processor, ram, and video card. Still nothing. All these are new. Thats what I dont understand. The only reason I can suspect that they dont work, is b/c right when I bought them all, I plugged them into the fried burner... Could that have fried them all too, even though they're new? Is that possible?

01-05-2006, 05:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
drummerboy678 New Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 10	I've tried a fairly simple setup, with just one stick of ram and the video card... still nothing. Is there a way to reset the BIOS, when the computer isn't displaying anything? It turns on, I hear fans, but I never see anything. I didn't think I could reset the BIOS like that.

01-06-2006, 03:45 AM	#9 (permalink)
spazz31585 Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Age: 23 Posts: 256	have you tried all these components (except the burner) in a different case as well? it may sound wierd, but i have heard of cases where the wire for the power button actually shorts out.

01-06-2006, 04:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
JFlo Gold Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Age: 19 Posts: 483	maybe one of your new parts could have been DOA (except video card cause it would work w/o it if it has intergrated video card already)

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