A most puzzling PC issue

Mephisto_Helix

Mephisto_Helix

Resident Postwhore
Joined
Jan 29, 2008
Messages
33,893
Reaction score
11,780
Location
UK
Ok this is a long one but it has me stumped big time ......

So loadshedding (and a blown transformer in the area) had my PC dead, I couldn't make it back in time to unplug like I usually do :/ I took it to the local tech shop, told them what happened and left it at that. Later that day, I go back and erm, guy says it's working there no problem, weird. He says they replaced cmos battery so off I go home. I plug in and it's dead, sigh. Next morning I take it back and true story it comes on in the shop (wtf) and I'm standing there totally puzzled. Anyway, tech guy mentions he's using a thicker cable (260V) so I can take that home and try it. I get home and bam, it comes on and I use it all night to game and whatnot. Next morning I shut down and unplug for loadshedding the next morning, afterwards plug it back in and it's dead as hell all over again, even with the cable
1f615.png
Tried different plug points around the house, even got the neighbor to toss over an extension but nada.

Once more, next day off to the shop where the guy says ok leave it here for the whole day. Gets back to and says he's tested the PSU and it's working but just to make me feel better, he's put in his 650W and it's fine, take it home. True as bob, I plug it in and nothing. So I think no man, I'm lost ..... I reset the DB on a whim thinking hey the microwave is acting less powerful after the loadshedding so maybe it's related. Back to the study and I see the motherboard light is on and the PC starts up :unsure:.

Can't be a dead PSU if that's been changed out, surely it can't be the mobo (can it?) so is it possible that the area has lost some amps or volts and that's why my monster won't turn on? I give up trying to work it out and am hoping some of you more knowledgeable guys can give your input ;)
 
Try reseating your ram and cards?

Sounds like something might be shorting the board?
 
problem with the switch may be?? when the PC dies try to hot wire the PSU if u know how to do it or use a PSU tester like this one
bc7746e538ba3244f770d2bbd552368b.jpg
 
I would but a brand new 650W doing the same thing surely rules out my PSU? I'd even go oh well it's my motherboard but it works fine at the shop, lol. Strange stuff I tell ya guys


@ghoti - will try that if it happens again (just in case the tech didn't), I'm kinda hoping it won't do it ever again :confused:
 
Try running it via a UPS? Off the top of my head sounds like a power issue in your area. Ups should provide a better more consistent power supply.
 
theratman said:
Try running it via a UPS? Off the top of my head sounds like a power issue in your area. Ups should provide a better more consistent power supply.
Click to expand...

Actually gonna try get the electrician in tomorrow because it just seems that's the likely culprit. Wish I had the money for a UPS but every cent is supposed to be going toward emigration in May, heh.
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
Actually gonna try get the electrician in tomorrow because it just seems that's the likely culprit. Wish I had the money for a UPS but every cent is supposed to be going toward emigration in May, heh.
Click to expand...
They aren't too pricey, get one on TA and return it if it doesn't work :)
 
When all else fails, and just before RTFM, check the power! So the electrician idea is not a bad idea.

LS has a habit of causing bad CBs in the DB board to simply die. A short cut maybe to switch all CBs in the main board off, one by one and then the EL and a main Isolator if there is one and push them up one by one starting with the main Isolator and the EL unit. Try and feel if there is any sign that the CB istelf is not faulty. A faulty CB very often has a soft "feel" about it when you push it up.
After that it is the wall socket and switch that may also be moeg, especially if you switch it on and off a lot.
A multimeter is a good investment!

A multiplug extension involved? If so is it an el cheapo? That is something that a LS surge will also expose if faulty.
 
I'm definitely eyeing the DB if not an area thing seeing as a transformer blew on Monday morning ........ I did also try all the sockets in the house (and the neighbors), with and without extension cords and/or multiplugs with no luck.
 
Are you able to test the voltage in your house?

I occasionally have this problem with my microwave (runs very slow) and have been told that it's because the voltage is sometimes just below a certain threshold and that causes strange things to happen.
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
I would but a brand new 650W doing the same thing surely rules out my PSU? I'd even go oh well it's my motherboard but it works fine at the shop, lol. Strange stuff I tell ya guys


@ghoti - will try that if it happens again (just in case the tech didn't), I'm kinda hoping it won't do it ever again :confused:
Click to expand...

I am not saying the PSU is faulty. In such situations we need to isolate the problem, u said the PC runs fine but when u shutdown and try to re-start it back it doesnt.
Lets say u are trying to start it and its not starting up, first u check if the PSU runs when u unplug it from the board. to do this u either hotwire it or use a tester. There can be two outcomes :-
1. If it works u know the problem is not ur PSU or the wiring in your house.
2. If it doesnt work u know something is wrong with the PSU or the wiring in the house. U said its a different PSU so definately its the wiring

Now if its the first one you have to plug it back in the motherboard, locate the lead which is connected to the power switch, short that with a screwdriver, If it starts running you know its ur power switch. If it doesnt something to do with the motherboard and we troubleshoot further.
 
Intermittent problems are quite common with electronics and also one of the worst to diagnose. It could be the actual motherboard is faulty as this seems to be the common component in all of this and one you have not changed yet.
 
Just one I have seen. Your IEC plug (the 'kettle plug') on your power cord, is it making proper contact? I have seen issues with them. Sometimes it's a case of pressing it slightly harder, sometimes the cord quality is bad and it does not make proper contact, but comes on when fidgeting with it and pressing the power-on switch. Easy to check.
 
Sounds like an electrical issue, and since you say a transformer blew and was replaced, there may very well be an issue with the power supply to your entire house, most electronic devices can work at lower voltages (90-240vac), PC power supplies are less forgiving and normally need either 220-240v, or 110-120v, highly recommend getting an electrician to check.
 
Sollie said:
Just one I have seen. Your IEC plug (the 'kettle plug') on your power cord, is it making proper contact? I have seen issues with them. Sometimes it's a case of pressing it slightly harder, sometimes the cord quality is bad and it does not make proper contact, but comes on when fidgeting with it and pressing the power-on switch. Easy to check.
Click to expand...

I have also experienced this.
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
Ok this is a long one but it has me stumped big time ......

So loadshedding (and a blown transformer in the area) had my PC dead, I couldn't make it back in time to unplug like I usually do :/ I took it to the local tech shop, told them what happened and left it at that. Later that day, I go back and erm, guy says it's working there no problem, weird. He says they replaced cmos battery so off I go home. I plug in and it's dead, sigh. Next morning I take it back and true story it comes on in the shop (wtf) and I'm standing there totally puzzled. Anyway, tech guy mentions he's using a thicker cable (260V) so I can take that home and try it. I get home and bam, it comes on and I use it all night to game and whatnot. Next morning I shut down and unplug for loadshedding the next morning, afterwards plug it back in and it's dead as hell all over again, even with the cable
1f615.png
Tried different plug points around the house, even got the neighbor to toss over an extension but nada.

Once more, next day off to the shop where the guy says ok leave it here for the whole day. Gets back to and says he's tested the PSU and it's working but just to make me feel better, he's put in his 650W and it's fine, take it home. True as bob, I plug it in and nothing. So I think no man, I'm lost ..... I reset the DB on a whim thinking hey the microwave is acting less powerful after the loadshedding so maybe it's related. Back to the study and I see the motherboard light is on and the PC starts up :unsure:.

Can't be a dead PSU if that's been changed out, surely it can't be the mobo (can it?) so is it possible that the area has lost some amps or volts and that's why my monster won't turn on? I give up trying to work it out and am hoping some of you more knowledgeable guys can give your input ;)
Click to expand...
Hi
My fionce had the same issue with her pc and it turned out to be her motherboard was faulty. Could be something different, but the way you explained it sounds exactly the same fault. Her pc did not want to switch on and then we took it to the tech guy and it switches on, we changed power points and power cable and then we take it back, changes the psu and it goes on but afterwards it does not want to switch on and eventually the tech guy found its the motherboard.
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
Ok this is a long one but it has me stumped big time ......

So loadshedding (and a blown transformer in the area) had my PC dead, I couldn't make it back in time to unplug like I usually do :/ I took it to the local tech shop, told them what happened and left it at that. Later that day, I go back and erm, guy says it's working there no problem, weird. He says they replaced cmos battery so off I go home. I plug in and it's dead, sigh. Next morning I take it back and true story it comes on in the shop (wtf) and I'm standing there totally puzzled. Anyway, tech guy mentions he's using a thicker cable (260V) so I can take that home and try it. I get home and bam, it comes on and I use it all night to game and whatnot. Next morning I shut down and unplug for loadshedding the next morning, afterwards plug it back in and it's dead as hell all over again, even with the cable
1f615.png
Tried different plug points around the house, even got the neighbor to toss over an extension but nada.

Once more, next day off to the shop where the guy says ok leave it here for the whole day. Gets back to and says he's tested the PSU and it's working but just to make me feel better, he's put in his 650W and it's fine, take it home. True as bob, I plug it in and nothing. So I think no man, I'm lost ..... I reset the DB on a whim thinking hey the microwave is acting less powerful after the loadshedding so maybe it's related. Back to the study and I see the motherboard light is on and the PC starts up :unsure:.

Can't be a dead PSU if that's been changed out, surely it can't be the mobo (can it?) so is it possible that the area has lost some amps or volts and that's why my monster won't turn on? I give up trying to work it out and am hoping some of you more knowledgeable guys can give your input ;)
Click to expand...

Sounds like static electricity build-up... As you switched off your main DB it should be fine now. Maybe get an electrician to look at your earthing or get a ground loop isolator
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
Ok this is a long one but it has me stumped big time ......

So loadshedding (and a blown transformer in the area) had my PC dead, I couldn't make it back in time to unplug like I usually do :/ I took it to the local tech shop, told them what happened and left it at that. Later that day, I go back and erm, guy says it's working there no problem, weird. He says they replaced cmos battery so off I go home. I plug in and it's dead, sigh. Next morning I take it back and true story it comes on in the shop (wtf) and I'm standing there totally puzzled. Anyway, tech guy mentions he's using a thicker cable (260V) so I can take that home and try it. I get home and bam, it comes on and I use it all night to game and whatnot. Next morning I shut down and unplug for loadshedding the next morning, afterwards plug it back in and it's dead as hell all over again, even with the cable
1f615.png
Tried different plug points around the house, even got the neighbor to toss over an extension but nada.

Once more, next day off to the shop where the guy says ok leave it here for the whole day. Gets back to and says he's tested the PSU and it's working but just to make me feel better, he's put in his 650W and it's fine, take it home. True as bob, I plug it in and nothing. So I think no man, I'm lost ..... I reset the DB on a whim thinking hey the microwave is acting less powerful after the loadshedding so maybe it's related. Back to the study and I see the motherboard light is on and the PC starts up :unsure:.

Can't be a dead PSU if that's been changed out, surely it can't be the mobo (can it?) so is it possible that the area has lost some amps or volts and that's why my monster won't turn on? I give up trying to work it out and am hoping some of you more knowledgeable guys can give your input ;)
Click to expand...

We had a blown transformer some time back and when power was restored , most of the equipment at home didnt run so lekker. Power went off again and they replaced some **** and everything was back to normal. Not sure if it might be what you experiencing, especially with the microwave not so powerful which we also experienced. Maybe check with city power if all is fine. Just a thought.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X