Computer troubles...

[DavidofColorado]

My new desktop computer that I just put together shut off on me. While I was playing a video game. And I could smell something burning when it happened. I disconnected the power supply real fast, because I thought it was a thermal shutdown. While I haven't cleaned the dust out in awhile like I should have :banghead:

When I tried to turn it back on the little LED light on the motherboard come on and the fans twitch for a split second but then nothing. No lights on the case and nothing spools up.

Earlier today I turned off hardware acceleration while on hulu under the setting tab for flash player and I was wondering if that turned it off the system and that maybe loaded up the CPU to much and killed it?

I think its a good sign that the light comes on because that means that the power supply is still working, right? Then it could be the CPU burned out because nothing happens but a little blip when I disconnect the power and plug it back in and press the power button. If I leave it plugged in and press power more than twice then I get nothing.

I don't or can't find another power source to check it with another one. And I don't have another CPU to swap out either.

Any ideas?

I have a ASUS p5ql mother board, Intel Core 2 quad CPU 2.66 ghz, 4gb ram GeForce 9600 GSO Video Card, cool power 550 watt power supply.

ETA: I tested every pin on the PS and the most I get is 5.3 volts and a few 3 volts. There should be a clear reading of 12 volts on some of those pins right?

The CPU fan was dirty and it was overclocked BTW. But not much.

[Zach929rr]

Don't know if I can offer specific advice to solve this, but run SpeedFan in the future to keep an eye on temps.

[PrillerGrrl]

David,

If the computer is new, components do fail. I install a lot of gear every month and there is always something that goes *poof* in the first day.

If you have a spare power supply, plug it in and see if the computer boots up. If you had a card that wasn't completely seated in the motherboard and vibrations cause it to partially work its way out, the sudden spike in voltage on that slot can cause a slot capacitor to go. I've seen it happen. Made a perfect mini mushroom cloud.

If you have bad memory, usually the computer will boot.
If you have a blown processor, often the motherboard will not POST.
If you have a blown BIOS chip, nothing at all will happen usually.
Overclocking does increase the current draw of a CPU - inspect the capacitor cans near the processor socket. There should be a grouping of little cans there.

If you got a strong, acrid odor, I've only seen that happen from melted windings in a power supply and I've had that happen on servers despite thermal protection. Depending on the motherboard, you might have a 12V line. Most current systems use that.

ATX power supplies will have 3.3V, 5V and 12V leads.

There should be 4 Pin Berg at 5V and 12V connectorsfor floppy drive, 4 pin Molex for hard drives and CDROM/DVD at 5V and 12V, 20-Pin Molex for ATX power at 3 x 3.3V, 4 x5V and 1 x 12V, 4 Pin Molex 12V for P4 Procesors and the like and a 6 Pin AUX connector for 5V and 2 x 3.3V

If you don't have a spare power supply, send me a PM and I can loan you one to test with.

Good Luck!

PG


My new desktop computer that I just put together shut off on me. While I was playing a video game. And I could smell something burning when it happened. I disconnected the power supply real fast, because I thought it was a thermal shutdown. While I haven't cleaned the dust out in awhile like I should have :banghead:

When I tried to turn it back on the little LED light on the motherboard come on and the fans twitch for a split second but then nothing. No lights on the case and nothing spools up.

Earlier today I turned off hardware acceleration while on hulu under the setting tab for flash player and I was wondering if that turned it off the system and that maybe loaded up the CPU to much and killed it?

I think its a good sign that the light comes on because that means that the power supply is still working, right? Then it could be the CPU burned out because nothing happens but a little blip when I disconnect the power and plug it back in and press the power button. If I leave it plugged in and press power more than twice then I get nothing.

I don't or can't find another power source to check it with another one. And I don't have another CPU to swap out either.

Any ideas?

I have a ASUS p5ql mother board, Intel Core 2 quad CPU 2.66 ghz, 4gb ram GeForce 9600 GSO Video Card, cool power 550 watt power supply.

ETA: I tested every pin on the PS and the most I get is 5.3 volts and a few 3 volts. There should be a clear reading of 12 volts on some of those pins right?

The CPU fan was dirty and it was overclocked BTW. But not much.

[IT WASN'T ME!]

Stop looking at internet porn.

[Devaclis]

When you built this rig, did you apply any heat transfer paste between the CUP and the heat sink?

[Nick_Ninja]

Did you mount the fans backwards? :D

[DavidofColorado]

Stop looking at internet porn.

I know right.


When you built this rig, did you apply any heat transfer paste between the CUP and the heat sink?

It had some on the fan when I installed it. But I think I put some more on it too. When I pulled the CPU fan it was dried and crusty looking. I might have to add some more before I put this back together. But yes I did.


David,... I've seen it happen. Made a perfect mini mushroom cloud. :lol:
{snipped for brevity.}

If you don't have a spare power supply, send me a PM and I can loan you one to test with.

Good Luck!

PG
PM sent.:yes:


Don't know if I can offer specific advice to solve this, but run SpeedFan in the future to keep an eye on temps.Thanks. I will try that when I get it running again. :cheers:


Did you mount the fans backwards? :D I like the internet porn joke better. It was like he knew me or something. But the fan only installs one way and [I did screw it up] locking it down but it wasn't backwards.:slappers:

[Devaclis]

You do have to put some back on the CPU when you replace the heatsink. If not, your CPU will overheat and the system will shut down to protect itself.

Can you check the error logs in your BIOS and see what the errors are?

[DavidofColorado]

You do have to put some back on the CPU when you replace the heatsink. If not, your CPU will overheat and the system will shut down to protect itself.

Can you check the error logs in your BIOS and see what the errors are?
It won't do anything when I try to boot it. Not even the bios screen. Aside from the LED on the motherboard that's lit up its like its unplugged.

I checked the ASUS website troubleshooting section and it says if you are having trouble booting listen to the beeps when it boots (e.g. 5 short beeps for the CPU... ) But ASUS was being so cheap when the made this MB that they didn't install a system speaker. There is a place for it but no button speaker.

[Mel]

:shrug: take it to someone who knows what they are doing to look it over, put it back together, and configure it (especially if you have "acceleration" or overclocked settings on it).

[Devaclis]

if it will not POST then it is either a power supply issue or a dead mobo/CPU

[TurboGizzmo]

Will take 2 seconds for someone with a powersupply tester to let you know what to replace. You use to be able to test a powersupply pretty easy but now you have to jump some pins to get it to run outside of the computer.......i have mine right here in my bag, but it would be a bit of a drive :)

Also Fans, no joke i have seen that so many times where both fans are blowing in or out of the computer :no:

And where people use ALL of the thermal paste on the cpu where it looks like a Oreo cookie :no:

[DavidofColorado]

:shrug: take it to someone who knows what they are doing to look it over, put it back together, and configure it (especially if you have "acceleration" or overclocked settings on it).
I thought that's what I was doing? With all due respect though.
As far as the dirty work I can handle that for now. I know what you mean though. I will take your advice and take it somewhere if it comes to that.


if it will not POST then it is either a power supply issue or a dead mobo/CPU
That's what I was thinking too.

[DavidofColorado]

Will take 2 seconds for someone with a powersupply tester to let you know what to replace. You use to be able to test a powersupply pretty easy but now you have to jump some pins to get it to run outside of the computer.......i have mine right here in my bag, but it would be a bit of a drive :)

Also Fans, no joke i have seen that so many times where both fans are blowing in or out of the computer :no:

And where people use ALL of the thermal paste on the cpu where it looks like a Oreo cookie :no:
So running a mutimeter might not tell me if the power supply is bad? It might not have been powered up?

I'm not sure that my fans are blowing enough. I have one in the front that blows cold air in and one in the back to blow out hot air. I need to add a bigger fan or something. Or clean it more often.

[TurboGizzmo]

So running a mutimeter might not tell me if the power supply is bad? It might not have been powered up?

I'm not sure that my fans are blowing enough. I have one in the front that blows cold air in and one in the back to blow out hot air. I need to add a bigger fan or something. Or clean it more often.

There are different ways to do it......

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-1056686.html <-- be careful as always

or something like this

http://www.antec.com/images/400/ATX12PSUTester.jpg

or

sometimes the kiddos at bestbuy have one and will test it for you for free....

[Devaclis]

Microcenter has PSU testers for CHEAP!!

[DavidofColorado]

Microcenter has PSU testers for CHEAP!!
That's where I'm headed. I am 95% sure that the power supply is bad. I have tested the leads with a multi meter and there isn't a 12v to be found. I searched for the model number and newegg reviews all said this PS was a POS. At this point I think its the PS I just hope that it didn't take my MoBo with it when it went.

[TurboGizzmo]

site for the PS pinout http://www.helpwithpcs.com/courses/power-supply-basics-inc-pinouts.htm

[Zach929rr]

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but a PS will (usually?) only take out the mobo if the failure was power-spike related. If you just had a bunk PS, here's hoping it just died on its own and didn't kamikaze anything else.

Oh yeah, get yourself an Antec or Corsair next time.

Also, I don't think this was said, but if you replace the PSU and the computer still doesn't boot, clear the CMOS as a starting point.

[DavidofColorado]

site for the PS pinout http://www.helpwithpcs.com/courses/power-supply-basics-inc-pinouts.htm
I ran thru that test and I got nothing but 5v and 3v readings on their posts.
Thanks that was very helpful.

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but a PS will (usually?) only take out the mobo if the failure was power-spike related. If you just had a bunk PS, here's hoping it just died on its own and didn't kamikaze anything else.

Oh yeah, get yourself an Antec or Corsair next time.

Also, I don't think this was said, but if you replace the PSU and the computer still doesn't boot, clear the CMOS as a starting point.
I will. I ran thru that already so now I have to reset everything. But once the PSU is replaced I will try again. Plus, micro center said that they wouldn't replace this unit and I had to go the manufacter to get it replaced but the company that I called doesn't make PSU. I am pissed about this and I am going raise hell in there for selling crap like this. A squeeky wheel gets greased.
The only reason I was concerned about the MoBo going out with the power supply is one of the reviews on newegg. His system was very similar to mine with ASUS mobo and 775 socket. And he said he wanted to sue somebody.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16817193018&SortField=1&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&Local=y

[TFOGGuys]

I replaced 4 power supplies in 4 machines in the space of about a month last year, 3 oem and one cheapo aftermarket, in 2 different locations. Symptoms were identical to yours, with just a brief surge of power to the fans and nada from the mobo. Replaced 'em and stuff runs fine a year later. All of 'em were on UPS power with power filtering, so I'm guessing surges were not the issue. Solar flares, maybe? :dunno:

[DavidofColorado]

Well, I have a new problem. I went back to Microcenter and they let me return the PSU after 163 days. And I got a newer better one with more SATA connectors and just paid the difference.

I got it home and I install this huge heat sink for the prossesor and install the new PSU unit. But when I installed it it started but a red light was shining from my PCIe grafix card so I turned it off and plugged in the 6 pin plug and tried to start it again and nada. It was doing the same thing as before. I unplugged the card and the PSU and waited a few then tried it again. It started but only because the card was unplugged. I had an adapter for 4 pin mollex to go into the 6 pin plug and still nothing. But now my computer beeps (from somewhere) and it gives me the trouble code for the graphix card. The fan on the card works but there is something broken I think. What do you think?

[chanke4252]

This is why I don't like overclocking, especially on a new pc where you can easily void a warranty on an unproven piece of hardware, ESPECIALLY with only air cooling. But like a previous poster said, when things go wrong they often go wrong right at the start.

If it was a new power supply I'd try to replace it with a known good one. I don't even try to troubleshoot power issues anymore as they can cause some really funky things to happen that don't make much sense and can leave you chasing phantoms, even if the power supply tests ok. Generally I'll just put in a known good power supply and a try it with another ups if you use one of those. If that doesn't work then troubleshoot like normal.

[DavidofColorado]

Would anybody have a PCIe card they could loan me to see if my card bought the farm or if its still power issues?

[t_jolt]

yeah i have one you could use. Its an ati something or other a couple years old. I dont remember exactly what it is.

pm me

Tyrel

[DavidofColorado]

yeah i have one you could use. Its an ati something or other a couple years old. I dont remember exactly what it is.

pm me

Tyrel
Thanks. It doesn't have to be the greatest just working and PCIe. My needs are uncomplicated.:)

[DavidofColorado]

Great news. It was the video card that died. I contacted the maker and they want me to fill out a bunch of forms and send it back for replacement (or repair). I will get your card back to you tomorrow like I said. But don't worry I can still get on the board via my laptop but I won't be able to watch HD movies.
+2 for t_jolt/tyrel he ran home on his lunch hour to get me the card and he loaned me the card to help me figure out my problem.

Thanks to everyone else that gave advice and funny smart ass remarks. I wasn't thinking systematically enough to fix my own computer at the moment and you came thru for me.
Love you all.

[chanke4252]

A system speaker will help in the future.

[DavidofColorado]

I got a replacement card yesterday and its a XFX 9800 gt a slight upgrade from the old one. But it doesn't come with a 6 pin PCIe hole. I don't know what's that all about. Makes me wonder if the old one even needed it. But the replacement card only has 5** MB ram and the old card had 7** mb. Maybe it doesn't need as much power? I think they should have listened when asked for the same amount of ram. What do you think?