wolfwiser

Hi all, a couple of weeks ago I received a couple of windows XP error message relating to my hard drive, everything seemed fine. A couple of days later I noticed a burning type smell from the PSU area, this went away. As I was concerned for my HD I started backing up files etc, which went OK. I then ran a seagate diagnostic program for my HD to see if there was a problem. Sometime during this test my PC just died, switched itself off and wouldn't power up (I wasn't in the room at the time).

I replaced the PSU but the same thing happens, no power. When the PC is powerd (though not every time) the CPU fan spins for a fraction of a second and then nothing. I noticed that there is power getting through to light an LED on the wireless mouse (usb powered) but that is all.

There are no beeps from the PC, nor can I get to the BIOS screen, the monitor will not power (but does work).

I have tried the PSU on with all hard/disk drives and different combinations removed and still nothing. I have also reset/cleared cmos but that doesn't work either.

Is this likely to be the motherboard, CPU, hard drive or other. Both my PSUs do the same so I think I can rule that out (one is brand new).

Also is there a way of checking my components as I don't have another motherboard which can take my processor/hard drives.

ANY help greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

linderman

Hello:


please give us your full system specs with PSU maker and model (both old one & new one please)

wolfwiser

Full system spec is as found
http://support.packardbell.com/uk/it...4201701&g=1400
new power supply:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...ModuleNo=47952

thanks in advance.

wolfwiser

Any thoughts Joe?

daz215

You shouldnt have opened up your computer, If you had any warrenty left it would now be void, so taking it back to the shop is out of the question! Doesnt seem like a PSU related problem, cant say as i think its short on power, I have the same PSU rating but with bigger components . Sounds to me like you got a faulty HDD, try sending an email to the manufacturer, they'll probebly be more than happy to send you a replacement!

dai

try resetting the bios,but it sounds like the psu went taking something else with it
get a torch and remove the power plug and check for any discolouration of the connectors in the slot indicating a power surge has gone through it
disconnect the power plug from the drives and see if it posts

wolfwiser

Thanks all. At the minute I'm waiting on some artic silver as I've tried reseating the processor, prior to this I tried to get to the BIOS with only the mobo, RAM and CPU connected, this failed. Its looking like the motherboard has gone - do you agree?

How do you reset the BIOS? Is this the same as switching the cmos/removing the battery? If so I've tried this, to no avail.

dai

yes it sounds like you have a short somewhere on the m/b
pull it out of the case and check both sides of the m/b for any damage including all the slots,if you cannot see any,set it up out of the case on a piece of cardboard with just
cpu
video
ram
speaker
and start it by touching the two pins the case switch connects to,on the
m/b with a paper clip or small screwdriver and see if it will post

Barry_R

I would agree that it is likely that the mobo has a bad component. The smell comming from the PSU may have just been the fan sucking the smoke through it but it could have gone bad also. Look for capacitors with bulged tops or any other visible damage to the mobo.

Since you bought a new PSU and it gave no indication of any further damage it may not have been the old PSU. But now that you have a new one I would not try the old one when and if you replace the mobo.

wolfwiser

thanks for all your help, I'll follow your suggestions.

wolfwiser

Following your great advice I'm sure I have found the problem, upon removing the motherboard from the case I noticed that one of the components (sorry I don't know what its called, looks like a donut shape with wires around the side and through the middle) seemed to have blown. I'm pretty sure this will be the source of the burning smell. you can see it here:

http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/3715281


So I'll have to replace the mobo, the only thing I'm worried about now is:

What could have caused this in the first place?
Will this just happen again on a new motherboard?
How can I stop it happening again?

Also I dont have a power surge protector (yet) could this be the cause? (original PSU still seems to be ok)

As I first mentioned, the first thing I noticed out of the ordinary was an error message relating to the hard drive, is this just likely to be coincidence that the mobo died soon after this?

Again thanks for all the help.

dai

i would check out the psu before using it again
http://www.techsupportforum.com/showthread.php?t=65936