[SOLVED] Computer and fans won't power up after cleaning

Wr1525 · 09-26-2009, 07:06 PM

HP media center pcm7160n. My computer was giving me registry errors so I decided to clean the ram contacts and blow out all the dust. I used a pencil eraser and electronic cleaner to clean the contacts. Now my computer won't power on. No fans, no led's, nothing. I checked for 12 volts coming from the power supply to the motherboard but there was nothing. Is the ps bad now? I have tried reseating the ram but that didn't work.

**wrench97** · 09-27-2009, 12:17 PM

How did you test the 12v by jumping the PS_On or using the power switch?
If you have not seen it follow this guide> Test your power supply with a multi meter

Wr1525 · 09-27-2009, 08:26 PM

There are 2 connectors going to the mb, 1 is, I believe, a 20 pin, and the other is a 4 pin that is next to the CPU fan. Right next to the 4 pin connector on the mb it says 12 volts. I unplugged it, connected my multimeter, and switched the power switch on and got nothing.

Wr1525 · 09-27-2009, 08:39 PM

Sorry, the other connector is a 24 pin. I'm going to follow the instructions for troubleshooting the ps using that 24 pin connector instead of the 4 pin.

**wrench97** · 09-28-2009, 01:17 AM

Follow the steps in the link on the 24 pin let us know what you find.

FlashMyBIOS · 09-29-2009, 02:27 PM

also never use a pencil eraser small bits can become jammed between the pins making it lose contact take em out blow off and closely inspect them for residue from the eraser. ( just some added info)

Wr1525 · 09-29-2009, 08:17 PM

Ok, I checked the 24 pin connector and here's what I got:
Pin 9, 1.9-2.3 volts fluctuating
Pin 14, 1.8-2.2 volts fluctuating, no change after unplugging ps
Connector, also no change when shorting the ps_on pins.

So what do you think?
Thanks

**wrench97** · 09-30-2009, 01:17 AM

Sounds like a bad power supply since the purple 5v VSB is that low with the connector unplugged.

What video card are you running?

Wr1525 · 10-10-2009, 06:20 PM

Thanks for the help. I replaced the power supply and everything now powers up.

**wrench97** · 10-10-2009, 06:36 PM

Good to hear you have it solved:)

09-26-2009, 07:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Wr1525 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 OS: Xp	[SOLVED] Computer and fans won't power up after cleaning HP media center pcm7160n. My computer was giving me registry errors so I decided to clean the ram contacts and blow out all the dust. I used a pencil eraser and electronic cleaner to clean the contacts. Now my computer won't power on. No fans, no led's, nothing. I checked for 12 volts coming from the power supply to the motherboard but there was nothing. Is the ps bad now? I have tried reseating the ram but that didn't work.

09-27-2009, 12:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,378 OS: Win7	Re: Computer and fans won't power up after cleaning How did you test the 12v by jumping the PS_On or using the power switch? If you have not seen it follow this guide> Test your power supply with a multi meter __________________ Power Supply and Selection

09-27-2009, 08:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
Wr1525 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 OS: Xp	Re: Computer and fans won't power up after cleaning There are 2 connectors going to the mb, 1 is, I believe, a 20 pin, and the other is a 4 pin that is next to the CPU fan. Right next to the 4 pin connector on the mb it says 12 volts. I unplugged it, connected my multimeter, and switched the power switch on and got nothing.

09-27-2009, 08:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
Wr1525 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 OS: Xp	Re: Computer and fans won't power up after cleaning Sorry, the other connector is a 24 pin. I'm going to follow the instructions for troubleshooting the ps using that 24 pin connector instead of the 4 pin.

09-28-2009, 01:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,378 OS: Win7	Re: Computer and fans won't power up after cleaning Follow the steps in the link on the 24 pin let us know what you find. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

09-29-2009, 02:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
FlashMyBIOS Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: OH Posts: 89 OS: Vista 64 sp2 My System	Re: Computer and fans won't power up after cleaning also never use a pencil eraser small bits can become jammed between the pins making it lose contact take em out blow off and closely inspect them for residue from the eraser. ( just some added info)

09-29-2009, 08:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Wr1525 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 OS: Xp	Re: Computer and fans won't power up after cleaning Ok, I checked the 24 pin connector and here's what I got: Pin 9, 1.9-2.3 volts fluctuating Pin 14, 1.8-2.2 volts fluctuating, no change after unplugging ps Connector, also no change when shorting the ps_on pins. So what do you think? Thanks

09-30-2009, 01:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,378 OS: Win7	Re: Computer and fans won't power up after cleaning Sounds like a bad power supply since the purple 5v VSB is that low with the connector unplugged. What video card are you running? __________________ Power Supply and Selection

10-10-2009, 06:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
Wr1525 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 OS: Xp	Re: Computer and fans won't power up after cleaning Thanks for the help. I replaced the power supply and everything now powers up.

10-10-2009, 06:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,378 OS: Win7	Re: Computer and fans won't power up after cleaning Good to hear you have it solved:) __________________ Power Supply and Selection