[SOLVED] My computer won't turn on.

mwoulverine98 · 06-01-2008, 10:35 PM

My parents have an eMachine thats about 4 or 5 yrs. old. I upgraded the RAM from 512MB to 2GB about a month ago just to get it upto speed. They leave it on pretty much all the time and its plugged into a surge protector. They called me the other day and said it just randomly turned off and wouldn't come back on. Here's what I've tried.
1. Pluged it in straight to the wall to make sure it wasn't the surge protector.
2. Tried a different power cable that I know works.
3. Bought a new Antec 350 PSU and installed it. (Tested the old one and it was dead)
4. Took out the RAM recently put in and put the old 512 chip back in.
But the computer still won't come on. Now that I've replaced the PSU, the green light on the mobo comes on but that's it. No fans turn, no sound, no nothing other than that green light. I've checked the cables that come from the power button and they are plugged into the mobo fine. I don't know what else to do. Is my mobo dead? Thanks for any help.

**BCCOMP** · 06-01-2008, 11:28 PM

Hi,
Many e-machines have poor power supplies. When the power supply blows it usually takes the Motherboard and sometimes the CPU with it. Seeing you replaced the PSU, Ram and still can not get the fans to work indicates a bad Motherboard.
Bill

mwoulverine98 · 06-01-2008, 11:59 PM

Is there a way of knowing for sure which it is before forking out the money? I know neither are very cheap. Or would they be better off just buying a new computer. They aren't exactly the high-end users. Just the vary basic computing.

**BCCOMP** · 06-02-2008, 12:17 AM

I am almost positive the Motherboard is blown (fans not working). As far as the CPU, I know of no test other than putting it in a working board with the same socket.
If you parents are only using basic computing then just a replacement (used tower) may work. They can keep the Monitor, keyboard etc. Just be sure to purchase from a reliable source.
The cost of a new Mobo and CPU (possibly RAM) may run you about $200.00 or so.
A used (comparible) tower can be found for about the same price.
Bill
PS- I had 2 e-machines (under 3 years old) and they blew the PSU taking the MoBo and CPU with it.
I now no longer own E-machines due to this.

mwoulverine98 · 06-02-2008, 10:19 AM

When the new computer comes in, could I put the HDD from the old PC in the new one so I can get all the files off of it or will I need to take it somewhere to get all the files off of it?

dai · 06-02-2008, 11:53 AM

you will be able to slave it in the new computer

**BCCOMP** · 06-02-2008, 03:12 PM

Thanks dai for the backup.
Yes you can SLAVE the old HD to the new computer to retrieve your Data. If you had XP then it maybe easier to get a XP replacement tower. A Vista tower may not retrieve all the Data ( I am unsure of this, because I do not know what you have)
If you need help with this, Please post back.
Bill

mwoulverine98 · 06-03-2008, 07:17 PM

Hey guys, thanks for all the help. I have another computer coming from the dell outlet store with XP home edition. So i don't think i'll have any more problems. Thanks alot.

**BCCOMP** · 06-03-2008, 09:58 PM

Good Luck
Let us know how it goes.
Bill

06-01-2008, 10:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
mwoulverine98 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 4 OS: XP SP2	[SOLVED] My computer won't turn on. My parents have an eMachine thats about 4 or 5 yrs. old. I upgraded the RAM from 512MB to 2GB about a month ago just to get it upto speed. They leave it on pretty much all the time and its plugged into a surge protector. They called me the other day and said it just randomly turned off and wouldn't come back on. Here's what I've tried. 1. Pluged it in straight to the wall to make sure it wasn't the surge protector. 2. Tried a different power cable that I know works. 3. Bought a new Antec 350 PSU and installed it. (Tested the old one and it was dead) 4. Took out the RAM recently put in and put the old 512 chip back in. But the computer still won't come on. Now that I've replaced the PSU, the green light on the mobo comes on but that's it. No fans turn, no sound, no nothing other than that green light. I've checked the cables that come from the power button and they are plugged into the mobo fine. I don't know what else to do. Is my mobo dead? Thanks for any help.

06-01-2008, 11:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,045 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: My computer won't turn on. Hi, Many e-machines have poor power supplies. When the power supply blows it usually takes the Motherboard and sometimes the CPU with it. Seeing you replaced the PSU, Ram and still can not get the fans to work indicates a bad Motherboard. Bill __________________ PC Wizard \| Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ PC Running Slow Speedfan

06-01-2008, 11:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
mwoulverine98 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 4 OS: XP SP2	Re: My computer won't turn on. Is there a way of knowing for sure which it is before forking out the money? I know neither are very cheap. Or would they be better off just buying a new computer. They aren't exactly the high-end users. Just the vary basic computing.

06-02-2008, 12:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,045 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: My computer won't turn on. I am almost positive the Motherboard is blown (fans not working). As far as the CPU, I know of no test other than putting it in a working board with the same socket. If you parents are only using basic computing then just a replacement (used tower) may work. They can keep the Monitor, keyboard etc. Just be sure to purchase from a reliable source. The cost of a new Mobo and CPU (possibly RAM) may run you about $200.00 or so. A used (comparible) tower can be found for about the same price. Bill PS- I had 2 e-machines (under 3 years old) and they blew the PSU taking the MoBo and CPU with it. I now no longer own E-machines due to this. __________________ PC Wizard \| Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ PC Running Slow Speedfan

06-02-2008, 10:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
mwoulverine98 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 4 OS: XP SP2	Re: My computer won't turn on. When the new computer comes in, could I put the HDD from the old PC in the new one so I can get all the files off of it or will I need to take it somewhere to get all the files off of it?

06-02-2008, 11:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,630 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: My computer won't turn on. you will be able to slave it in the new computer __________________

06-02-2008, 03:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,045 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: My computer won't turn on. Thanks dai for the backup. Yes you can SLAVE the old HD to the new computer to retrieve your Data. If you had XP then it maybe easier to get a XP replacement tower. A Vista tower may not retrieve all the Data ( I am unsure of this, because I do not know what you have) If you need help with this, Please post back. Bill __________________ PC Wizard \| Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ PC Running Slow Speedfan

06-03-2008, 07:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
mwoulverine98 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 4 OS: XP SP2	Re: My computer won't turn on. Hey guys, thanks for all the help. I have another computer coming from the dell outlet store with XP home edition. So i don't think i'll have any more problems. Thanks alot.

06-03-2008, 09:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,045 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: My computer won't turn on. Good Luck Let us know how it goes. Bill __________________ PC Wizard \| Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ PC Running Slow Speedfan