Author Topic: My computer crashed....HELP! (Read 3592 times)

Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach · « **on:** April 15, 2009, 09:38:38 PM »

I am on my wifes computer right now, so I will have access to the net when she doesn't need it.

I tried to start my computer and it didn't start. I tried rebooting...nothing. I tried inserting my boot disk....nothing. I tried to reboot with the boot disk in....nothing. Tried restarting while repeatedly hitting the "esc" key....nadda. I'm out of ideas, can anyone help?

Garf · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2009, 10:03:39 PM »

If you don't get so much as a light, you need to reset the power supply. There should be some sort of switch on the back of the computer that will do this. If you still get nothing, you may have lost the power supply. This won't affect the rest of the computer, meaning you can replace the power supply and it should work as before.

Richard Grogan · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2009, 10:26:40 PM »

How dead is it? Does the monitor come on indicating the PC is trying to power on(DOS like screen with text)?Let us know.Could be like Phil said on the power supply. A very common failure item. Not hard to replace. 50 bucks on up. Mine last about 2 years or so.

Worst case scenario-There's a short between seat and keyboard!

Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2009, 09:14:28 AM »

Richard....there is definitely a short between the seat and the keyboard!

Ok....I looked for that power switch on the back of the tower....al I found was a transport lock and it seemed to be fine.

When I reboot the computer, the light comes on indicating that it is powered up. The light blinks rapidly for a few seconds, indicating that it is working on something. Then it stops blinking but remains lit.

I have also noticed that the monitor goes into snooze mode almost immediately and it shouldn't. A little square comes on saying "No Input Signal", which it does everytime I start the computer till it fully fires up, this stays on for about 3 seconds then goes into snooze mode. Screen goes dark and the lite on the front begins blinking. I have never had a computer do this before and I am at a loss. Please help, I just can't afford to tke it into the city to have it fixed.

oh yeah....just something a little weird.....when I log onto this site and click on the "Show unread posts since last visit" button.....nothing new shows up.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2009, 11:52:56 AM »

Can you hear the drive spinning? Are you able to get into the CMOS? (this is the low level settings) Usually, when the computer goes into a self check, you can hit the DEL button and it will enter CMOS. If you are not even able to do that, then it is likely a failing power supply or video card (that's if the drive is spinning up). Also, check your cables.

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2009, 12:04:07 PM »

Are you on A.O.L.? That could be the problem. It spends a long, long time downloading a bunch of crap into your computer, and won't let you do anything else until it is finished loading up your hard drive with their advertisments.

Floyd

Richard Grogan · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2009, 12:19:38 PM »

Glen, It sounds like you power supply has crapped out on you. It is a switching power supply, and it has several different voltages it produces. You'll have to disassemble the cover to the machine, get the part# off of the power supply,or even just the model of the computer, and Google for a replacement. You can get a replacement with a higher power rating (ie 650W) and will (hopefully)last longer. What does the power supply look like? It's the grey box your power cable is plugged into and has 2-3 colorful wiring harnesses coming out of it.1-2 harnesses plugs into the motherboard, the other(s) plug into hard drives, cd/dvd drives, ect.It's not hard to do!
If you feel overwhelmed by all of this, you're gonna have to go to town!

(edit-04/17/09 2:55) Glenn, what is the make and model of your computer?That information would be most helpful in diagnosing your problem.
Usually, you can Google the make/model number with the problem and it will come up with several forums that are discussing the very symptoms and the fixes found for your model computer. Alot of these sites have "resident" experts that moderate them. This is just a suggestion, if you don't figure it out from prior suggestions mentioned in this thread. By your description of the symptoms you describe above, experience tells me power supply problem. If your monitor doesn't display anything except loss of sync on its display,and nothing such as the video card bios info, the motherboard is missing an essential voltage to power up the processor, and/or the video card. If the memory was missing/inoperable, the on-board buzzer would scream at you. If its not beeping/screaming , you have no voltage for it either! When a power supply fails,like Randy said, it just happens.No warning signs.A whole new day! Well, what do I know anyway.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2009, 01:19:00 PM »

Sorry I didn't respond sooner just saw this thread...

Before you do anything.. Unplug it from the wall, wait about 30 seconds, plug it back in but don't try to turn it on. Remove the side cover and wiggle everything you can see that looks like a circuit board. Keep one hand on the metal case.. You will be grounded through the AC cord and reduce the risk of blowing something with static electricity. Don't get too carried away just a little wiggle and a solid press down toward the main board. Especially look for one or more small boards that are about 3 inches long and 1/2 to 3/4 in high.. These are the memory chips and may be hiding down under cables and such.

Once you have done all the above try to turn it on.. Listen carefully for beeps.. If it beeps one or more times the supply and processor are probably good.

If you still have the problem it's pretty serious.. May or may not be the power supply and the only good way to find out is by temporally plugging in another supply which you probably don't have. If you buy one and find out you have a bad processor or main board your out the cost of the supply.

Come back and let me know the results of the above...

Randy Powell · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2009, 03:16:32 PM »

Bob's point is very good. If the computer worked fine before, then the options are limited. A badly seated (or oxidzed) card or memory stick can muck things up. Or if one or more cables aren't getting a good connection including plugs ins from the power supply. Follow Bob's directions and if it still doesn't work, then the probably is quite probably more serious. Could be a bad power supply (I've had a few of these go out over time and that's just about what they do) or it could be much more serious.

John Stiles · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2009, 07:28:03 PM »

Quote from: Gravitywell on April 16, 2009, 09:14:28 AM

Richard....there is definitely a short between the seat and the keyboard!

oh yeah....just something a little weird.....when I log onto this site and click on the "Show unread posts since last visit" button.....nothing new shows up.

That's most likely because your wife's computer has firewall blocking cookies from this site. >>>You might try turning off your computer, then un -plug it for about 10 minutes....then plug it back in and hit the power on button while continually hitting the f-10 button....it should get you into a computer set-up screen from where you could change some settings. From that area you can also start windows in "SAFE" mode.

Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2009, 08:38:58 AM »

Thanks everyone. I will try all your suggestions and get back to you. I hope I don't have to go to the big city, but I bet I do!

William DeMauro · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2009, 05:03:22 PM »

I build all my own computers and have rebuilt a number of them for others. This could really be any number of things.Depending on the age of the PC(and how valuable the stuff you have on it is to you) would determine how much I would be willing to put back into it to get it going again. First guess on I would make on it would be a failed hard drive. Second ,failed video card or chip. Of course the first thing I would ask,Is your monitor,PC plugged in to the wall and to each other? If you don't get it going pm me tomorrow and we can try to chat on the phone. I am on vacation but should be home by tomorrow night.

John Stiles · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2009, 05:33:47 PM »

Quote from: William DeMauro on April 17, 2009, 05:03:22 PM

I build all my own computers and have rebuilt a number of them for others. This could really be any number of things.Depending on the age of the PC(and how valuable the stuff you have on it is to you) would determine how much I would be willing to put back into it to get it going again. First guess on I would make on it would be a failed hard drive. Second ,failed video card or chip. Of course the first thing I would ask,Is your monitor,PC plugged in to the wall and to each other? If you don't get it going pm me tomorrow and we can try to chat on the phone. I am on vacation but should be home by tomorrow night.

I bought my computer in 1999............it has crashed at least three times....it's a compac HP.....so ya reckon I should keep bringing it back from the dead(?) or use it for target practice...

....

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #13 on:** April 17, 2009, 05:40:53 PM »

Sorry guys but read what the symptoms are.. All the advice you are giving him is way off base.. The computer isn't getting through POST.. The video card doesn't even initialize.. He can punch keys till his fingers hurt and it won't do a darn thing. And saying is hard drive may be bad is really off base you can't know if it isn't getting past the POST.

I've been in the computer business off and on since IBM introduced it's first PC. Have seen it many times, someone builds a couple computers and think they are a computer tech. I know you are trying to be helpfull but make sure you know what you are talking about.

Pinecone · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2009, 07:10:44 PM »

Agreed.

If NOTHING is showing up, it is failing POST. That means partially dead power supply (there are several voltages supplied, if one voltage it not working the board will not boot). Or dead MB.

Most likely your data is perfectly safe on the hard drive.

And BTW most failure occur on power up. So I leave my computers running.

So Bob, did you ever use a cassette port?

John Stiles · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2009, 07:27:33 PM »

Quote from: Bob Reeves on April 17, 2009, 05:40:53 PM

Sorry guys but read what the symptoms are.. All the advice you are giving him is way off base.. The computer isn't getting through POST.. The video card doesn't even initialize.. He can punch keys till his fingers hurt and it won't do a darn thing. And saying is hard drive may be bad is really off base you can't know if it isn't getting past the POST.

I've been in the computer business off and on since IBM introduced it's first PC. Have seen it many times, someone builds a couple computers and think they are a computer tech. I know you are trying to be helpfull but make sure you know what you are talking about.

So...we were just killin time till you showed up..............well; what's your verdict, can you help or are you waiting on somebody to give ya a little nudge $$$$ I mean ??

Brett Buck · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2009, 07:29:06 PM »

Quote from: Bob Reeves on April 17, 2009, 05:40:53 PM

Sorry guys but read what the symptoms are.. All the advice you are giving him is way off base.. The computer isn't getting through POST.. The video card doesn't even initialize.. He can punch keys till his fingers hurt and it won't do a darn thing. And saying is hard drive may be bad is really off base you can't know if it isn't getting past the POST.

Should be able to decipher the POST failure beeps, should he not? I am not a PC guy but know just enough to be dangerous.

Brett

Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach · « **Reply #17 on:** April 18, 2009, 12:18:26 AM »

Hello a,d a big thank you to everyone that has helped.....even the one that posted the guns! LOL I could use them about now! It looks like I'm going to have to take a drive to the big city and have someone fix the darn thing. Its only about a year old, so shouldn't have any problems that way. I had just finished saving everything onto my external hard drive the day before, so all important (read control line and rubber power) information is safe. I have a complete copy of the virgin hard drive of the computer, saved to the external as well. So any problems there should easily be rectified. So thanks again everyone.....your help and concern are greatly appreciated.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #18 on:** April 18, 2009, 03:03:30 AM »

Quote from: Brett Buck on April 17, 2009, 07:29:06 PM

Should be able to decipher the POST failure beeps, should he not? I am not a PC guy but know just enough to be dangerous.

Brett

Yes, I asked him to listen for the beeps in my first reply and report back but guess it got lost in the noise..

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #19 on:** April 18, 2009, 03:11:02 AM »

Quote from: Pinecone on April 17, 2009, 07:10:44 PM

Agreed.

<snip>

So Bob, did you ever use a cassette port?

Sure, my first computer was an Atari with a cassett, learned basic and assembly on that silly thing.

Pinecone · « **Reply #20 on:** April 18, 2009, 07:59:41 AM »

Quote from: Bob Reeves on April 18, 2009, 03:11:02 AM

Sure, my first computer was an Atari with a cassett, learned basic and assembly on that silly thing.

I meant on an IBM PC?

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #21 on:** April 18, 2009, 08:28:32 AM »

Quote from: Pinecone on April 18, 2009, 07:59:41 AM

I meant on an IBM PC?

Nope first IBM had a whoping 10 Meg hard drive and thought I was really up town. I kinda miss those days, you could put the operating system an assembler or basic interperter on a floppy and still have room left for your program.

Garf · « **Reply #22 on:** April 18, 2009, 09:27:30 AM »

My first IBM PC had a 365 meg hard drive, and it was IDE, not even EIDE.

Pinecone · « **Reply #23 on:** April 20, 2009, 05:38:41 PM »

Quote from: Bob Reeves on April 18, 2009, 08:28:32 AM

Nope first IBM had a whoping 10 Meg hard drive and thought I was really up town. I kinda miss those days, you could put the operating system an assembler or basic interperter on a floppy and still have room left for your program.

Nope. Maybe YOUR first PC had a 10 MB hard drive.

The original IBM PC shipped with 16KB of RAM and a cassette port, NO drives, drives were optional. Place I worked did custom system using these original machines. We bumped them up to 64 KB of memory and 2 x 160KB single sided single density flopy drives. Yes, early 5 1/4 drives are 160, later 180. Then came double sided, then double sided double density with a WHOPPING 720 KB. DOS 1.0.

But you could put DOS and an application on a single floppy, yeap OS and app in 160KB. The second drive was for data. And everyone carried around their floppy box.

8088 processor at 4.77 MHz. Slots were ISA. IIRC there were 5.

Hard drives were $1000 per MB. DOS 2.0 added hard drive support. The IBM PC XT was the model with factory hard drive.

Early drives were MFM (for the encoding). Later came RLL that increased capacity by 50%. Then the IDE/SCSI/ESDI interface. ESDI was much better than IDE< but more expensive.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #24 on:** April 20, 2009, 07:21:15 PM »

Thought "My" would be assumed.. MY first IBM PC had a 10 Meg hard drive.. Is that better...

John Cralley · « **Reply #25 on:** April 20, 2009, 07:29:33 PM »

OK, Glenn,

There has been a bunch of speculation (some educated and some hummm) and now it would be nice to hear what the actual problem turns out to be!!

My money is on the power supply but I've hedged with a side bet on the motherboard. I assume you do have a big fat surge protector in your power cord path.

Let us know.

John

John Stiles · « **Reply #26 on:** April 20, 2009, 10:23:03 PM »

Could just very well be the keyboard.....I had that happen once....called my Geek buddy over and he sat down and in 10 minutes said: It's your keyboard....I had another one in a box in my closet....he plugged it in and everything went to working. All this talk about "power supply" has me scratching my head. The first computer I ever had was a comodore...then an apple with two[A and B] disc drives.....and I went straight from there to the one I'm pounding today[compaq presario bought in 1999].....it plugs straight into the wall....no additional power supply!

Norvaldo · « **Reply #27 on:** April 21, 2009, 02:05:43 PM »

Hi ...
One last idea....
Is there a reset button on the front panel ?
If so.. check that it is not stuck in the 'in' position.. This may happen if you clean the front or bump something into it.
Best regards Norvald