Computer Boot Problem

F

frozengorilla

New Member
This is my first post on here so would like to start of by saying hello to everyone and thanks in advance.

The problem that i face is a strange one. I have a old Tiny computer:

2GHZ processor (AMD Athlon 64 3000+)
512 RAM (Two sticks)
200GB hard drive (IDE)
2 optical drives (1 DVD RW and 1 CDRW both IDE)
300W PSU
256mb Graphics card (ATI Radeon 9200)
TV card (AverMedia 303p)

The system has been working fine until i moved it (nothing else had been changed). The problem that i now have is that when mains power is attached the power LED will light up but when i press the power button nothing happens.

So far I have stripped the system down to try and diagnose the problem component, I have tried booting the system with just the motherboard processor and power supply, the system would still not boot. I then changed the power supply as I thought/hoped that was the problem but no change. Then I changed the motherboard (an exact replacement) still no change. I have also changed the processor but I still have the same problem.

I am at a total loss with this one and any help would me much appreciated

Thanks Ben
 
If absolutely nothing happens, have you checked the Power button and its connection to the MB? Disconnect from the MB, put a multimeter on ohms (or a battery and bulb) and check the contacts close when the button is pushed. You could also connect the Reset button (if there is one) across the MB Power On terminals and see if that switches the PC on.

If the button was hit during moving, the microswitch or its mounting bracket may have broken. Most buttons are really cheaply made.
 
Hi Nanobytes, thanks for your response.

When I build the in "stripped down mode" I used a different switch then, so I do not believe that this is the issue.

Ben
 
When you did the stripped down test, did you have some RAM in the MB?

No lights on the MB such as the standby voltage light if there is one? Have you tried the "paper clip" test on the power supply? Normally that is to test the supply but in this case it's really a step to show something at least works - the PSU fan should run. If you have a digital multimeter it would be nice to check the voltages on the PSU MB main connector too (PSU disconnected from MB).
 
I tried both with and without RAM but there was still no change.

Unfortunately their are no LED's on the motherboard at all.

I have tested the power supply on another system and it booted fine. So i know that the PSU is fine (Although i have never heard of the "paper clip test" so thanks for that, im sure that will come in useful at some point).

I have now just fitted a new motherboard and the system booted fine.

So it turns out that the first replacement motherboard was faulty.

Thanks once again for your help you'v been great.

Ben
 
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