I added a wireless card to the computer and vacuumed a little very carefully. When I put it back together, nothing happens when I pus the power button - no fan, no lights - nothing. The computer is completely stock, with the bestec atx-250-12z power supply. There is a green light on the back of the power supply that is blinking. When i disconnect all drive power cables, the light continues to blink, and when I disconnect the 4-pin power cable to the mobo it still blinks. Disconnecting the 20-pin cable to the mobo allows the light to glow continuously. My question is, what is broken? Power Supply or motherboard. I tested the front panel power switch and it is OK.
2007-01-20 15:18:36 · 4 answers · asked by ncwaterskier 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Thanks for the suggestions so far. According to the HP web site troubleshooting procedure, the power supply is good because the light is green with everything disconnected. I've now pulled the memory and all other cards and re-installed, and it is the same. Because the light only blinks when the mobo is connected, I'm pretty sure that is the problem. There are no visible shorts to the case, as justin suggested. Does anyone know if I replace with an aftermarket mobo whether this computer will work with the same windows XP installation? I know the windows XP with some brandname computers won't work without the manufacturer's mobo, and I may have to install a new copy of windows. I had to do this when I replaced mobo and processor in my son's emachines.
2007-01-21 04:05:27 · update #1
First off, I would say the power supply would be the problem, however have you tried disconnecting the new hardware you recently added?
2007-01-20 15:23:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it looks like the power supply it not powerful enough. so what you need to do is first take out the wireless card, and then replace the cables to the motherboard, and try to boot the system, if that works everything is ok you will then need to get a higher voltage power supply. minimum 350.w I don't think you blow the mother board unless you touched it while it was plugged into the mains, always un plug the mains plug when delving into the systems case. always remember the mother board is live when it is plugged into the mains plug though it is only 12 volts system you can still blow the mother board and memory
2007-01-20 15:52:59 · answer #2 · answered by Carling 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definately you shorted the motherboard likely due to static electricity discharged on a component or your power supply is telling you your motherboard is touching the metal housing behind it leaving the potential for you to nuke the system. If everything is properly grounded you may be able to get up and running. When a power supply goes it pops, and sounds like a small cherry bomb.
2007-01-20 15:59:58 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had this to happen more than once. What I always do is remove the side cover, remove that card you installed, unplug the ac power cable from the power supply first though, carefully reseat the ram. Now try to power it up again and see what happens.
2007-01-20 15:34:01 · answer #4 · answered by jerk p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋