 Computer won't start, HD startsfor a few seconds then stops |
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 Jul 3 2009, 10:40 PM
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#1
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New Member  Group: Members Posts: 5 Joined: 3-July 09 Member No.: 348,066  |
I used my computer yesterday and it worked fine and now it won't start. If I turn my computer on at the power point and press the on button the HD starts for a few second then stops. I don't know the make or model but the operating system is Windows XP professional and my poppa put the computer together for me. All the cords are plugged in and we tried a different power cord and into a different power point and it didn't change. Has anyone got any suggestions on what is wrong or how to start it? |
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Jul 3 2009, 10:51 PM
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#2
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 Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 372 Joined: 9-June 09 From: Pittsburgh, PA Member No.: 340,397 |
When you power on your computer do you see the initial "boot" screen? ( the BIOS information or "splash" screen )
-------------------- Techextreme
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?" -- Albert Einstein |
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Jul 4 2009, 03:23 PM
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#3
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Forum Addict Group: BC Advisor Posts: 13,963 Joined: 3-September 05 From: Killeen, TX Member No.: 33,068 |
Do you have a Microsoft XP Pro install CD?
Louis |
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Jul 4 2009, 11:05 PM
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#4
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 5 Joined: 3-July 09 Member No.: 348,066 |
Thanks for answering
in answer to techextreme: No, the computer doesn't do anything except for the HD starting for a few seconds. in answer to hamluis: Yes, i have the XP pro install disk. |
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Jul 5 2009, 12:10 AM
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#5
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 372 Joined: 9-June 09 From: Pittsburgh, PA Member No.: 340,397 |
Ratboy....
I would first start by looking at the motherboard and looking for this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bad_Capacitor_01.jpg Popped Capacitors. These will be close to the processor itself. You said the "hard drive starts for a few seconds then stops".... do you mean the "computer itself" or can you hear the hard drive making noise? -------------------- Techextreme
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?" -- Albert Einstein |
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Jul 5 2009, 12:25 AM
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#6
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 Bleepin' Night Watchman Group: Moderator Posts: 4,166 Joined: 5-December 05 From: The City of Saint Francis, by the western sea Member No.: 43,307 |
Another thing (which has happened to me) is to make sure that the motherboard isn't coming in contact with the case, as this can cause a short and prevent the system from powering up.
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Jul 5 2009, 12:34 AM
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#7
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 5 Joined: 3-July 09 Member No.: 348,066 |
Thanks techextreme
I had a look at the Capacitors and they appeared fine, (alot better then the picture). Sorry it was the power supply making the noise. We tried to start it with the side of the box off and that's where the noise is from. |
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Jul 5 2009, 12:40 AM
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#8
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 5 Joined: 3-July 09 Member No.: 348,066 |
Thank Amazing Andrew
We looked and the mother board isnt touching the case. |
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Jul 5 2009, 12:44 AM
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#9
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 372 Joined: 9-June 09 From: Pittsburgh, PA Member No.: 340,397 |
OK. That makes much more sense.
You're probably running up against a failed power supply. You also may want to pull the power cord from the hard drive including the ide cable. Try once again restarting the computer and check for the BIOS boot screen. Also, with the computer powered off, put your nose to the rear of the power supply, not directly against it, and smell it. You may smell a foul odor like something elecrtical has burned. If you smell that, then you know for sure it's a bad power supply. Do you have another power supply you can try in your computer? -------------------- Techextreme
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?" -- Albert Einstein |
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Jul 5 2009, 01:24 AM
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#10
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 5 Joined: 3-July 09 Member No.: 348,066 |
Thanks for all your help!
While we were looking, we noticed a green light on (on the mother board) and tried to turn the computer on and it worked!  I wonder what was wrong? |
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Jul 5 2009, 03:53 AM
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#11
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Bleepin' Night Watchman Group: Moderator Posts: 4,166 Joined: 5-December 05 From: The City of Saint Francis, by the western sea Member No.: 43,307 |
Gremlins.
This post has been edited by Amazing Andrew: Jul 5 2009, 03:53 AM -------------------- |
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