Why won't my computer start all of a sudden?

G

gymjunkie

Member
Everything was running a bit slow so I did my normal thing that has always fixed it. I run CCLeaner and restart. This time I simply shut it off for an hour while I was out but now it won't turn on, absolutely nothing at all is happening when I press On. It is a home built computer, been running for 3 years now with no problem like this. When it wasn't turning on I decided to try using canned air to clean out any dust in and around the PSU and proceeded to blow out the motherboard, cpu, cpu cooler, ram...everything.

Only thing I can think of is my PSU crapped out on me but how could it make an immediate jump like that?
 
You will have to do some diagnosing to figure this out. Trying a different psu would be the first step after you make sure that the power cables are plugged in securely and if there is a power switch on the back of the power supply itself is turned on.
 
the only other psu I have is a much much smaller one, my psu now is Ultra X3 1000w and the other one is a crappy 350, mybe 450 psu that came with an old eMachines computer
 
CPU is a i5-2400k (or 2500k, can't remember but it was Sandybridge). Overclocked a small bit to 4.3 I believe (Gigabyte motherboard did it for me)

Video Card is a HIS Radeon 6850

Ram is 8g G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1600
 
All you need really is a 500 watt power supply to run that system, you went way overboard on 1000 watts. You may want to try resetting the cmos as well. Try tearing the system down and build it outside the case is another possibility to make sure its not grounding against anything. If you find out its the power supply then a Corsair CX-500 is fine.
 
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I went overboard with the psu because I knew eventually I would be upgrading quite a bit. is Amtack or Amtech a good brand? Local shop has an 850 for sale. And I can't reset anything because absolutely nothing turns on, it might as well be unplugged.
 
Unless you plan on running 2 video cards in crossfire then no sense in getting anything higher than a 600 watt unit. You mean Antec??? I've never even heard of that brand you posted before. You really want to stay with the common names such as corsair, antec, seasonic, EVGA, silverstone.
 
I've heard of Ultra, it's tigerdirect's brand name. I was talking about when you said Amtack or Amtech.

You reset the cmos by unplugging power cord from power supply, remove the cmos battery from the motherboard, press the power button on the case for 10 seconds and then wait 10 minutes. Then reinsert battery, reconnect power and try turning it on.
 
Oh ok, yea sorry I wasnt sure what they said.

Just tried resetting the cmos and thrre is still no difference at all. My buddy just had me try jumping the power switch pins to see if that was it but that did nothing as well. Also the psu does not smell burnt or anything.
 
So you did the paperclip test on 2 of the power supply leads and it didn't turn on? If so, sounds like a dead power supply.
 
I used a screwdriver to bridge the two pins that were for the Power Switch. I took it into Best Buy and they tested a brand new psu and found no difference still. Everything looks perfect on the motherboard but he thinks that is what it is.
 
It's also possible its the processor since you were overclocking it. You could try a different processor to test that though. If it still don't work, then you can assume its the motherboard. Any bulging capacitors on the board?
 
Wouldn't a bad motherboard or bad cpu still produce something at all? A couple beeps or psu turning on?

And no bulging anywhere, the whole computer looks perfectly fine
 
All depends on what part of the motherboard is bad. If you don't have the extra parts to test processor/motherboard, then I recommend taking your system to a computer repair center and have them diagnose it, will cost a nominal fee though. Don't go to bestbuy, staples, office max though. I would recommend like a mom and pop computer repair place. I do recommend rebuilding the system outside of the case to make sure its not grounding out somewhere. A short will cause this type of issue. Remember diagnose, diagnose, diagnose.
 
Only reason I took it to best buy was because they said it was free to look at it, otherwise I avoid them like the plague. Thanks for the help I really appreciate it.
 
Yeah make sure you rebuild out side of the case before trying anything. Also try reseating the CPU, I've had that prevent my computer from starting. It was just a bit loose and taking it out and putting it back in fixed the problem.
 
I'm not sure you tested the PSU correctly by what I have read.

You need to remove all the plugs that plug into the motherboard from the power supply. unplug everything else that the PSU is plugged into...such as HDD, video cards... Leaving one fan connected to the power supply will be ok. Then take a paper clip and bend it as such....

dscn00615bt.jpg


Then look for the green wire on the plug that plugs into the motherboard.
dscn00659me.jpg

You will need to jump that green wire to a plug nearby that has a black wire. There are quite a few that have a black wire. One of them should trigger the PSU into turning on. If it doesn't turn on then the PSU is simply dead. Get a new one. I don't trust the Geek Squad with any of my computers at all.
 
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Denther said:
Yeah make sure you rebuild out side of the case before trying anything. Also try reseating the CPU, I've had that prevent my computer from starting. It was just a bit loose and taking it out and putting it back in fixed the problem.
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I will make sure to do that if everything else fails....I hate messing with the cpu lol.
 
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