Argh

[DGuller]

I came back home after being a day away, and my PC doesn't turn on.  Nothing happens when I press the button, except seeing a fan try to start up for a second, and then stop.  I could try starting the PC directly from a motherboard, but that would violate my cardinal rule of never touching the inside of PC with the power plugged in (and given the fan behavior, it probably won't change anything.  Any ideas what may be fucked?

[DontSayBanana]

I came back home after being a day away, and my PC doesn't turn on.  Nothing happens when I press the button, except seeing a fan try to start up for a second, and then stop.  I could try starting the PC directly from a motherboard, but that would violate my cardinal rule of never touching the inside of PC with the power plugged in (and given the fan behavior, it probably won't change anything.  Any ideas what may be fucked?

I take it you don't have an internal speaker hooked up?  It sounds like it's failing POST.  It could be the RAM, it could be the video card, it could even be certain kinds of faults with the power supply, but without a beep code, I wouldn't know where to start.

Also, that's an interesting cardinal rule you've got; you're better off working with it plugged in than not- if you keep a hand on the metal edge of the case that way, the power cord actually grounds the metal rim, which means you're grounded while you're in contact.

[DGuller]

I honestly can't see how I'm better off doing something that has a chance of electrocuting me, as opposed to not doing it.

[DGuller]

I guess this is one of those problems that I really need to consult Google for.  Usually Languish manages to cut straight through BS and point me to a solution, but in this case there just doesn't seem to be much to go on.  The whole thing literally tries to work for a quarter of a second and then dies silently.

[Vricklund]

DSB's advice is as bs free as you'll ever get it. If it doesn't boot then you need to check your motherboard for error codes. Some boards beep codes, some has a small LCD display. The codes will tell you where the computer failed to post. If it doesn't even give an error code then it's probably the PSU.

[Caliga]

I would agree that it's most likely the PSU.

[Grey Fox]

I honestly can't see how I'm better off doing something that has a chance of electrocuting me, as opposed to not doing it.

No one is getting electocuted on the output side of a computer PSU. Unless you have a like a 0 ohm resistance in your hands.

[DGuller]

Is there any way to test the PSU?  After the motherboard, it's the biggest PITA to physically replace, and I wouldn't want to start buying new components without knowing which one I need to replace.

[Barrister]

Is there any way to test the PSU?  After the motherboard, it's the biggest PITA to physically replace, and I wouldn't want to start buying new components without knowing which one I need to replace.

I've fairly allergic to fiddling on the inside of my computer, but even I managed to replace a PSU once.  It was quite easy - one of the easiest swaps you can make in fact.

One way to test is to swap out the PSU for another one (or put your current PSU into another computer) that I'm aware of.  If you have an older system sitting in a closet that might be the way to go.

[DGuller]

Is there any way to test the PSU?  After the motherboard, it's the biggest PITA to physically replace, and I wouldn't want to start buying new components without knowing which one I need to replace.

I've fairly allergic to fiddling on the inside of my computer, but even I managed to replace a PSU once.  It was quite easy - one of the easiest swaps you can make in fact.

One way to test is to swap out the PSU for another one (or put your current PSU into another computer) that I'm aware of.  If you have an older system sitting in a closet that might be the way to go.

I'm saying that because PSU connects to ten different things, and some of the old-style connectors are incredibly difficult to line up before they're able to click.

[Barrister]

Is there any way to test the PSU?  After the motherboard, it's the biggest PITA to physically replace, and I wouldn't want to start buying new components without knowing which one I need to replace.

I've fairly allergic to fiddling on the inside of my computer, but even I managed to replace a PSU once.  It was quite easy - one of the easiest swaps you can make in fact.

One way to test is to swap out the PSU for another one (or put your current PSU into another computer) that I'm aware of.  If you have an older system sitting in a closet that might be the way to go.

I'm saying that because PSU connects to ten different things, and some of the old-style connectors are incredibly difficult to line up before they're able to click.

I've only ever replaced one PSU ever but that involved unplugging the cables from the PSU, not keeping the cables connected to the PSU, IIRC.

[DGuller]

Unfortunately, I threw out my old PC in the move.  It didn't occur to me to save the power supply for such an occassion.

I think my plan is to order the new power supply, and see if it fixes it.  I suspect it won't, which would leave mobo as the only other suspect.  Any other failure would at least make mobo tell me something.  If that's the case, I may as well use the opportunity to build a new PC, and I'll already have PSU for it.  No sense in replacing mobo on a 3.5 year old PC, especially since that would also require getting a new Windows key.

[Caliga]

I had a PSU fail on me once and I ordered a new one following this exact same line of reasoning.  It turns out the PSU was indeed the problem, so no need to go any further with the upgrade that time.

[DGuller]

When your PSU failed, did it fail completely?  The reason I'm doubting PSU is that it is clearly providing some juice.  The fans are spinning for a very little while, and the mobo light is on.

[Razgovory]

Why not just take it to a shop and have a certified tech look at it?