After Power down from WinXP Pro Computer Will Not Power Up

[AA Smith]

I have built and upgraded quite a number of PCs in the IBM ATX
architecture.

Today, I moved the internals of a computer that has been successfully
running Windows XP Pro for 2-1/2 years. That computer's internals include
an ASUS P3V4X Motherboard, 3 ATA-100 hard drives (all controlled by an
ATA/100 Promise PCI controller,) a CD-RW drive, 3 CD-ROM drives, a 3COM NIC,
a SoundBlaster PCI card, an AGP video card, and a 3 1/2" floppy drive.

After transferring all internals from my old cabinet to a new one, I powered
the computer up. It booted and started WindowsXP Pro successfully, though
prior to starting Windows XP Pro, the motherboard boot process indicated
that a problem existed with the floppy drive, which I bypassed by pressing
F1. The problem was easy enough to diagnose; somehow the power cable for
the floppy disk drive had come loose from its connector/socket. After WinXP
Pro finished its startup process successfully, I exited Windows by selecting
Start | Power Off | Power Off. The computer powered down normally.

After disconnecting the power cord from the back of the computer, I replaced
the power cable on the floppy drive's power connector. Then, I plugged the
power cord into the back of the computer and pressed the Power button.
However, nothing happened. I checked to be sure that the small wire from
the Power button was still plugged into the proper location on the
motherboard. It was. Nevertheless, the computer will not boot up.

For the moment, I'm not sure what's wrong. I don't know if the 300 Watt
power supply just happened to become defective at that time, or if something
is wrong with the motherboard.

So, I shall greatly appreciate your kind help in figuring out what's wrong.

 

[Jim Macklin]

When you unplugged the power cord from the power supply, is
it possible you tripped a circuit break, voltage switch or a
fuse?

Are you sure the wall socket is powered,too?

If you have a multimeter, check the PSU voltages.


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.


|I have built and upgraded quite a number of PCs in the IBM
ATX
| architecture.
|
| Today, I moved the internals of a computer that has been
successfully
| running Windows XP Pro for 2-1/2 years. That computer's
internals include
| an ASUS P3V4X Motherboard, 3 ATA-100 hard drives (all
controlled by an
| ATA/100 Promise PCI controller,) a CD-RW drive, 3 CD-ROM
drives, a 3COM NIC,
| a SoundBlaster PCI card, an AGP video card, and a 3 1/2"
floppy drive.
|
| After transferring all internals from my old cabinet to a
new one, I powered
| the computer up. It booted and started WindowsXP Pro
successfully, though
| prior to starting Windows XP Pro, the motherboard boot
process indicated
| that a problem existed with the floppy drive, which I
bypassed by pressing
| F1. The problem was easy enough to diagnose; somehow the
power cable for
| the floppy disk drive had come loose from its
connector/socket. After WinXP
| Pro finished its startup process successfully, I exited
Windows by selecting
| Start | Power Off | Power Off. The computer powered down
normally.
|
| After disconnecting the power cord from the back of the
computer, I replaced
| the power cable on the floppy drive's power connector.
Then, I plugged the
| power cord into the back of the computer and pressed the
Power button.
| However, nothing happened. I checked to be sure that the
small wire from
| the Power button was still plugged into the proper
location on the
| motherboard. It was. Nevertheless, the computer will not
boot up.
|
| For the moment, I'm not sure what's wrong. I don't know
if the 300 Watt
| power supply just happened to become defective at that
time, or if something
| is wrong with the motherboard.
|
| So, I shall greatly appreciate your kind help in figuring
out what's wrong.
| --
| With kindest regards,
|
| Dick Smith
| (e-mail address removed)
|
|

 

[AA Smith]

Hi, Jim!

Thanks for your feedback. I sincerely appreciate your interest.

The wall socket is definitely powered.

I am not aware of any circuit breaker or fuse in the 300-watt power supply.
There is a red volt setting switch; it's set to 115. If there's a fuse or
circuit breaker of some sort on the ASUS P3V4X motherboard, I'm not aware of
it.

 

[AA Smith]

Hello, again, Jim;

I forgot to mention that I don't have a multimeter or volt meter of any
kind.

 

[Jim Macklin]

Don't change the subject line, put the questions and answers
in the body, please.

PSU do have internal circuit protection, if you're sure the
wall outlet has power and nothing happens when you press the
power switch, some failure, perhaps a fuse, broken wire or
such is the likely problem.
Do any fans or lights work? Any beeps?

You can buy a simple tester/meter for the power supply for
$10-20, it might be a good investment and it can be used to
check many other things too. Radio Shack has a nice little
book on how to use a multimeter Google for "multimeter book
radio shack" or "how to use a multimeter."


| Hello, again, Jim;
|
| I forgot to mention that I don't have a multimeter or volt
meter of any
| kind.
| --
| With kindest regards,
|
| Dick Smith
| (e-mail address removed)
in message
| | > When you unplugged the power cord from the power supply,
is
| > it possible you tripped a circuit break, voltage switch
or a
| > fuse?
| >
| > Are you sure the wall socket is powered,too?
| >
| > If you have a multimeter, check the PSU voltages.
| >
| >
| > --
| > The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
| > But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
| >
| >
| > | > |I have built and upgraded quite a number of PCs in the
IBM
| > ATX
| > | architecture.
| > |
| > | Today, I moved the internals of a computer that has
been
| > successfully
| > | running Windows XP Pro for 2-1/2 years. That
computer's
| > internals include
| > | an ASUS P3V4X Motherboard, 3 ATA-100 hard drives (all
| > controlled by an
| > | ATA/100 Promise PCI controller,) a CD-RW drive, 3
CD-ROM
| > drives, a 3COM NIC,
| > | a SoundBlaster PCI card, an AGP video card, and a 3
1/2"
| > floppy drive.
| > |
| > | After transferring all internals from my old cabinet
to a
| > new one, I powered
| > | the computer up. It booted and started WindowsXP Pro
| > successfully, though
| > | prior to starting Windows XP Pro, the motherboard boot
| > process indicated
| > | that a problem existed with the floppy drive, which I
| > bypassed by pressing
| > | F1. The problem was easy enough to diagnose; somehow
the
| > power cable for
| > | the floppy disk drive had come loose from its
| > connector/socket. After WinXP
| > | Pro finished its startup process successfully, I
exited
| > Windows by selecting
| > | Start | Power Off | Power Off. The computer powered
down
| > normally.
| > |
| > | After disconnecting the power cord from the back of
the
| > computer, I replaced
| > | the power cable on the floppy drive's power connector.
| > Then, I plugged the
| > | power cord into the back of the computer and pressed
the
| > Power button.
| > | However, nothing happened. I checked to be sure that
the
| > small wire from
| > | the Power button was still plugged into the proper
| > location on the
| > | motherboard. It was. Nevertheless, the computer will
not
| > boot up.
| > |
| > | For the moment, I'm not sure what's wrong. I don't
know
| > if the 300 Watt
| > | power supply just happened to become defective at that
| > time, or if something
| > | is wrong with the motherboard.
| > |
| > | So, I shall greatly appreciate your kind help in
figuring
| > out what's wrong.
| > | --
| > | With kindest regards,
| > |
| > | Dick Smith
| > | (e-mail address removed)
| > |
| > |
| >
| >
|
|

 

[AA Smith]

Hello, again, Jim,

Nothing happens when I press the Power button; no fans, no beeps, nothing
whatsoever.

I will pickup a tester at Radio Shack today.

I don't understand the initials "PSU". What do they stand for?

 

[Guest]

Try the simple first.
It was working before and you only switched the floppy cable.
Perhaps you pulled or bumped a wire lose from the motherboard connections.
Like the ........Power button wiring to the motherboard........Check all
your connections.

 

[AA Smith]

Thanks stonekeyboards for your feedback.

I have double-checked all wiring connections to th motherboard; all are
properly connected, including the Power Switch connector and the ATX Power
supply connection to the ASUS P3V4X motherboard.

 

[Jim Macklin]

shorthand for power supply unit
mobo motherboard



| Hello, again, Jim,
|
| Nothing happens when I press the Power button; no fans, no
beeps, nothing
| whatsoever.
|
| I will pickup a tester at Radio Shack today.
|
| I don't understand the initials "PSU". What do they
stand for?
| --
| With kindest regards,
|
| Dick Smith
| (e-mail address removed)
|
in message
| | > Don't change the subject line, put the questions and
answers
| > in the body, please.
| >
| > PSU do have internal circuit protection, if you're sure
the
| > wall outlet has power and nothing happens when you press
the
| > power switch, some failure, perhaps a fuse, broken wire
or
| > such is the likely problem.
| > Do any fans or lights work? Any beeps?
| >
| > You can buy a simple tester/meter for the power supply
for
| > $10-20, it might be a good investment and it can be used
to
| > check many other things too. Radio Shack has a nice
little
| > book on how to use a multimeter Google for "multimeter
book
| > radio shack" or "how to use a multimeter."
| >
| >
| > | > | Hello, again, Jim;
| > |
| > | I forgot to mention that I don't have a multimeter or
volt
| > meter of any
| > | kind.
| > | --
| > | With kindest regards,
| > |
| > | Dick Smith
| > | (e-mail address removed)
| > | "Jim Macklin" <p51mustang[threeX12]@xxxhotmail.calm>
wrote
| > in message
| > | | > | > When you unplugged the power cord from the power
supply,
| > is
| > | > it possible you tripped a circuit break, voltage
switch
| > or a
| > | > fuse?
| > | >
| > | > Are you sure the wall socket is powered,too?
| > | >
| > | > If you have a multimeter, check the PSU voltages.
| > | >
| > | >
| > | > --
| > | > The people think the Constitution protects their
rights;
| > | > But government sees it as an obstacle to be
overcome.
| > | >
| > | >
| > | > | > | > |I have built and upgraded quite a number of PCs in
the
| > IBM
| > | > ATX
| > | > | architecture.
| > | > |
| > | > | Today, I moved the internals of a computer that
has
| > been
| > | > successfully
| > | > | running Windows XP Pro for 2-1/2 years. That
| > computer's
| > | > internals include
| > | > | an ASUS P3V4X Motherboard, 3 ATA-100 hard drives
(all
| > | > controlled by an
| > | > | ATA/100 Promise PCI controller,) a CD-RW drive, 3
| > CD-ROM
| > | > drives, a 3COM NIC,
| > | > | a SoundBlaster PCI card, an AGP video card, and a
3
| > 1/2"
| > | > floppy drive.
| > | > |
| > | > | After transferring all internals from my old
cabinet
| > to a
| > | > new one, I powered
| > | > | the computer up. It booted and started WindowsXP
Pro
| > | > successfully, though
| > | > | prior to starting Windows XP Pro, the motherboard
boot
| > | > process indicated
| > | > | that a problem existed with the floppy drive,
which I
| > | > bypassed by pressing
| > | > | F1. The problem was easy enough to diagnose;
somehow
| > the
| > | > power cable for
| > | > | the floppy disk drive had come loose from its
| > | > connector/socket. After WinXP
| > | > | Pro finished its startup process successfully, I
| > exited
| > | > Windows by selecting
| > | > | Start | Power Off | Power Off. The computer
powered
| > down
| > | > normally.
| > | > |
| > | > | After disconnecting the power cord from the back
of
| > the
| > | > computer, I replaced
| > | > | the power cable on the floppy drive's power
connector.
| > | > Then, I plugged the
| > | > | power cord into the back of the computer and
pressed
| > the
| > | > Power button.
| > | > | However, nothing happened. I checked to be sure
that
| > the
| > | > small wire from
| > | > | the Power button was still plugged into the proper
| > | > location on the
| > | > | motherboard. It was. Nevertheless, the computer
will
| > not
| > | > boot up.
| > | > |
| > | > | For the moment, I'm not sure what's wrong. I
don't
| > know
| > | > if the 300 Watt
| > | > | power supply just happened to become defective at
that
| > | > time, or if something
| > | > | is wrong with the motherboard.
| > | > |
| > | > | So, I shall greatly appreciate your kind help in
| > figuring
| > | > out what's wrong.
| > | > | --
| > | > | With kindest regards,
| > | > |
| > | > | Dick Smith
| > | > | (e-mail address removed)
| > | > |
| > | > |
| > | >
| > | >
| > |
| > |
| >
| >
| >
|
|

 

[AA Smith]

Hello, again, Jim;

This problem just gets curioser and curioser. I have double-checked all
wiring connections to the motherboard; all are properly connected, including
the Power Switch connector and the ATX Power supply connection to the ASUS
P3V4X motherboard.

I took your suggestion on getting the RS Multimeter. However, the folks
there were not aware of the How to Use book that you mentioned. So, I
checked Google and found guidelines for testing the 300 watt ATX Power
Supply. With the AC power cord from the wall socket plugged into the ATX
Power Supply, I set the Multimeter to 15 volts DC (the lowest setting
available on this Multimeter. I then used the black probe to probe one of
the black wires in an unused power connector coming from the power supply.
I used the red probe to probe the yellow wire in the power connector. I got
no reading at all. I then used the red probe to probe the red wire socket
on the power connector. Again, I got no reading. Incidentally, I did
install a good AAA battery in the Multimeter before getting started.

According to the guidelines I found on the article, that meant that the
power supply was dead and needed replacement.

So, I replaced it with as 400 watt, unswitched power supply and made all of
the appropriate connections to the motherboard and floppy drive, hard drives
and CD-ROMs

However, the computer still wouldn't start. Absolutely nothing happens
when I press the power button. No beep, no fans whirring, no lights flash.
Nada!

So I used the Multimeter to probe the 400 watt power supply's power
connector's black, yellow, and red wires with the Multimeter set to 15 DCV.
However, the needle did not budge from zero. It produced no reading
whatsoever.

Though it may be the case, I find it hard to believe that both power
supply's are defective.

I shall very greatly appreciate ay further ideas as to what might be keeping
this computer from starting.

 

[Jim Macklin]

You need to have a resistor/jumper to "turn the PSU ON"
before it will provide voltage to the system.

You do need to be sure that you're making metal to metal
commotions inside the connectors.

I will be busy with the New Year celebrations, so take your
time, read the instructions and be careful not to damage
your hardware or injure yourself.
I would suggest that you double check everything, from using
the meter on a 120 volt setting to check that the power cord
is making power avail;able to the PSU and then check on each
connector for rated voltage.

Just be careful.


| Hello, again, Jim;
|
| This problem just gets curioser and curioser. I have
double-checked all
| wiring connections to the motherboard; all are properly
connected, including
| the Power Switch connector and the ATX Power supply
connection to the ASUS
| P3V4X motherboard.
|
| I took your suggestion on getting the RS Multimeter.
However, the folks
| there were not aware of the How to Use book that you
mentioned. So, I
| checked Google and found guidelines for testing the 300
watt ATX Power
| Supply. With the AC power cord from the wall socket
plugged into the ATX
| Power Supply, I set the Multimeter to 15 volts DC (the
lowest setting
| available on this Multimeter. I then used the black probe
to probe one of
| the black wires in an unused power connector coming from
the power supply.
| I used the red probe to probe the yellow wire in the power
connector. I got
| no reading at all. I then used the red probe to probe the
red wire socket
| on the power connector. Again, I got no reading.
Incidentally, I did
| install a good AAA battery in the Multimeter before
getting started.
|
| According to the guidelines I found on the article, that
meant that the
| power supply was dead and needed replacement.
|
| So, I replaced it with as 400 watt, unswitched power
supply and made all of
| the appropriate connections to the motherboard and floppy
drive, hard drives
| and CD-ROMs
|
| However, the computer still wouldn't start. Absolutely
nothing happens
| when I press the power button. No beep, no fans whirring,
no lights flash.
| Nada!
|
| So I used the Multimeter to probe the 400 watt power
supply's power
| connector's black, yellow, and red wires with the
Multimeter set to 15 DCV.
| However, the needle did not budge from zero. It produced
no reading
| whatsoever.
|
| Though it may be the case, I find it hard to believe that
both power
| supply's are defective.
|
| I shall very greatly appreciate ay further ideas as to
what might be keeping
| this computer from starting.
| --
| With kindest regards
|
| Dick Smith
|
in message
| | > Don't change the subject line, put the questions and
answers
| > in the body, please.
| >
| > PSU do have internal circuit protection, if you're sure
the
| > wall outlet has power and nothing happens when you press
the
| > power switch, some failure, perhaps a fuse, broken wire
or
| > such is the likely problem.
| > Do any fans or lights work? Any beeps?
| >
| > You can buy a simple tester/meter for the power supply
for
| > $10-20, it might be a good investment and it can be used
to
| > check many other things too. Radio Shack has a nice
little
| > book on how to use a multimeter Google for "multimeter
book
| > radio shack" or "how to use a multimeter."
| >
| >
| > | > | Hello, again, Jim;
| > |
| > | I forgot to mention that I don't have a multimeter or
volt
| > meter of any
| > | kind.
| > | --
| > | With kindest regards,
| > |
| > | Dick Smith
| > | (e-mail address removed)
| > | "Jim Macklin" <p51mustang[threeX12]@xxxhotmail.calm>
wrote
| > in message
| > | | > | > When you unplugged the power cord from the power
supply,
| > is
| > | > it possible you tripped a circuit break, voltage
switch
| > or a
| > | > fuse?
| > | >
| > | > Are you sure the wall socket is powered,too?
| > | >
| > | > If you have a multimeter, check the PSU voltages.
| > | >
| > | >
| > | > --
| > | > The people think the Constitution protects their
rights;
| > | > But government sees it as an obstacle to be
overcome.
| > | >
| > | >
| > | > | > | > |I have built and upgraded quite a number of PCs in
the
| > IBM
| > | > ATX
| > | > | architecture.
| > | > |
| > | > | Today, I moved the internals of a computer that
has
| > been
| > | > successfully
| > | > | running Windows XP Pro for 2-1/2 years. That
| > computer's
| > | > internals include
| > | > | an ASUS P3V4X Motherboard, 3 ATA-100 hard drives
(all
| > | > controlled by an
| > | > | ATA/100 Promise PCI controller,) a CD-RW drive, 3
| > CD-ROM
| > | > drives, a 3COM NIC,
| > | > | a SoundBlaster PCI card, an AGP video card, and a
3
| > 1/2"
| > | > floppy drive.
| > | > |
| > | > | After transferring all internals from my old
cabinet
| > to a
| > | > new one, I powered
| > | > | the computer up. It booted and started WindowsXP
Pro
| > | > successfully, though
| > | > | prior to starting Windows XP Pro, the motherboard
boot
| > | > process indicated
| > | > | that a problem existed with the floppy drive,
which I
| > | > bypassed by pressing
| > | > | F1. The problem was easy enough to diagnose;
somehow
| > the
| > | > power cable for
| > | > | the floppy disk drive had come loose from its
| > | > connector/socket. After WinXP
| > | > | Pro finished its startup process successfully, I
| > exited
| > | > Windows by selecting
| > | > | Start | Power Off | Power Off. The computer
powered
| > down
| > | > normally.
| > | > |
| > | > | After disconnecting the power cord from the back
of
| > the
| > | > computer, I replaced
| > | > | the power cable on the floppy drive's power
connector.
| > | > Then, I plugged the
| > | > | power cord into the back of the computer and
pressed
| > the
| > | > Power button.
| > | > | However, nothing happened. I checked to be sure
that
| > the
| > | > small wire from
| > | > | the Power button was still plugged into the proper
| > | > location on the
| > | > | motherboard. It was. Nevertheless, the computer
will
| > not
| > | > boot up.
| > | > |
| > | > | For the moment, I'm not sure what's wrong. I
don't
| > know
| > | > if the 300 Watt
| > | > | power supply just happened to become defective at
that
| > | > time, or if something
| > | > | is wrong with the motherboard.
| > | > |
| > | > | So, I shall greatly appreciate your kind help in
| > figuring
| > | > out what's wrong.
| > | > | --
| > | > | With kindest regards,
| > | > |
| > | > | Dick Smith
| > | > | (e-mail address removed)
| > | > |
| > | > |
| > | >
| > | >
| > |
| > |
| >
| >
| >
|
|

 

[Jack Gillis]

Hello, again, Jim;

This problem just gets curioser and curioser. I have double-checked
all wiring connections to the motherboard; all are properly connected,
including the Power Switch connector and the ATX Power supply
connection to the ASUS P3V4X motherboard.

I took your suggestion on getting the RS Multimeter. However, the
folks there were not aware of the How to Use book that you mentioned.
So, I checked Google and found guidelines for testing the 300 watt ATX
Power Supply. With the AC power cord from the wall socket plugged
into the ATX Power Supply, I set the Multimeter to 15 volts DC (the
lowest setting available on this Multimeter. I then used the black
probe to probe one of the black wires in an unused power connector
coming from the power supply. I used the red probe to probe the yellow
wire in the power connector. I got no reading at all. I then used
the red probe to probe the red wire socket on the power connector.
Again, I got no reading. Incidentally, I did install a good AAA
battery in the Multimeter before getting started.

According to the guidelines I found on the article, that meant that
the power supply was dead and needed replacement.

So, I replaced it with as 400 watt, unswitched power supply and made
all of the appropriate connections to the motherboard and floppy
drive, hard drives and CD-ROMs

However, the computer still wouldn't start. Absolutely nothing
happens when I press the power button. No beep, no fans whirring, no
lights flash. Nada!

So I used the Multimeter to probe the 400 watt power supply's power
connector's black, yellow, and red wires with the Multimeter set to 15
DCV. However, the needle did not budge from zero. It produced no
reading whatsoever.

Though it may be the case, I find it hard to believe that both power
supply's are defective.

Me too, though it could be so. You did have the meter set to read DC
voltages, not AC or Resistance? I've done that more times than I would
care to admit.

Also, the little black switch on the back of the PSU, if it has one as
most new ones do, is ON not OFF I guess. I've done that too.

 

[AA Smith]

Hi, Jack! Thanks for your interest.

Yes I did have the Multimeter set to 15 volts DC (DCV). My 300 watt power
supply has a switch on the back with off & on symbols O and I. I can never
remember which is off and which is on, so I tried it on both settings. The
400 watt PSU does not have a switch on the back other than the one that
selects voltage, which is set to 115.
This really is strange.

 

[AA Smith]

Thanks, again, Jim! I greatly appreciate your help.

Where and how would I place a jumper to turn the PSU ON? The Power Switch?

I'll try the tests again and be sure to make metal-to-metal contact with the
Multimeter.

Are you suggesting that I probe the female socket on the power cord with the
Multimeter set on 120 volts DC while the power cord is plugged into the wall
socket?
The settings on the dial for this Multimeter are limited to 15 volts, 150
volts, and 500 volts. The same holds true for AC voltage settings on the
Multimeter dial.
--
With kindest regards

Dick Smith

You need to have a resistor/jumper to "turn the PSU ON"
before it will provide voltage to the system.

You do need to be sure that you're making metal to metal
commotions inside the connectors.

I will be busy with the New Year celebrations, so take your
time, read the instructions and be careful not to damage
your hardware or injure yourself.
I would suggest that you double check everything, from using
the meter on a 120 volt setting to check that the power cord
is making power avail;able to the PSU and then check on each
connector for rated voltage.

Just be careful.


| Hello, again, Jim;
|
| This problem just gets curioser and curioser. I have
double-checked all
| wiring connections to the motherboard; all are properly
connected, including
| the Power Switch connector and the ATX Power supply
connection to the ASUS
| P3V4X motherboard.
|
| I took your suggestion on getting the RS Multimeter.
However, the folks
| there were not aware of the How to Use book that you
mentioned. So, I
| checked Google and found guidelines for testing the 300
watt ATX Power
| Supply. With the AC power cord from the wall socket
plugged into the ATX
| Power Supply, I set the Multimeter to 15 volts DC (the
lowest setting
| available on this Multimeter. I then used the black probe
to probe one of
| the black wires in an unused power connector coming from
the power supply.
| I used the red probe to probe the yellow wire in the power
connector. I got
| no reading at all. I then used the red probe to probe the
red wire socket
| on the power connector. Again, I got no reading.
Incidentally, I did
| install a good AAA battery in the Multimeter before
getting started.
|
| According to the guidelines I found on the article, that
meant that the
| power supply was dead and needed replacement.
|
| So, I replaced it with as 400 watt, unswitched power
supply and made all of
| the appropriate connections to the motherboard and floppy
drive, hard drives
| and CD-ROMs
|
| However, the computer still wouldn't start. Absolutely
nothing happens
| when I press the power button. No beep, no fans whirring,
no lights flash.
| Nada!
|
| So I used the Multimeter to probe the 400 watt power
supply's power
| connector's black, yellow, and red wires with the
Multimeter set to 15 DCV.
| However, the needle did not budge from zero. It produced
no reading
| whatsoever.
|
| Though it may be the case, I find it hard to believe that
both power
| supply's are defective.
|
| I shall very greatly appreciate ay further ideas as to
what might be keeping
| this computer from starting.
| --
| With kindest regards
|
| Dick Smith
|
in message
| | > Don't change the subject line, put the questions and
answers
| > in the body, please.
| >
| > PSU do have internal circuit protection, if you're sure
the
| > wall outlet has power and nothing happens when you press
the
| > power switch, some failure, perhaps a fuse, broken wire
or
| > such is the likely problem.
| > Do any fans or lights work? Any beeps?
| >
| > You can buy a simple tester/meter for the power supply
for
| > $10-20, it might be a good investment and it can be used
to
| > check many other things too. Radio Shack has a nice
little
| > book on how to use a multimeter Google for "multimeter
book
| > radio shack" or "how to use a multimeter."
| >
| >
| > | > | Hello, again, Jim;
| > |
| > | I forgot to mention that I don't have a multimeter or
volt
| > meter of any
| > | kind.
| > | --
| > | With kindest regards,
| > |
| > | Dick Smith
| > | (e-mail address removed)
| > | "Jim Macklin" <p51mustang[threeX12]@xxxhotmail.calm>
wrote
| > in message
| > | | > | > When you unplugged the power cord from the power
supply,
| > is
| > | > it possible you tripped a circuit break, voltage
switch
| > or a
| > | > fuse?
| > | >
| > | > Are you sure the wall socket is powered,too?
| > | >
| > | > If you have a multimeter, check the PSU voltages.
| > | >
| > | >
| > | > --
| > | > The people think the Constitution protects their
rights;
| > | > But government sees it as an obstacle to be
overcome.
| > | >
| > | >
| > | > | > | > |I have built and upgraded quite a number of PCs in
the
| > IBM
| > | > ATX
| > | > | architecture.
| > | > |
| > | > | Today, I moved the internals of a computer that
has
| > been
| > | > successfully
| > | > | running Windows XP Pro for 2-1/2 years. That
| > computer's
| > | > internals include
| > | > | an ASUS P3V4X Motherboard, 3 ATA-100 hard drives
(all
| > | > controlled by an
| > | > | ATA/100 Promise PCI controller,) a CD-RW drive, 3
| > CD-ROM
| > | > drives, a 3COM NIC,
| > | > | a SoundBlaster PCI card, an AGP video card, and a
3
| > 1/2"
| > | > floppy drive.
| > | > |
| > | > | After transferring all internals from my old
cabinet
| > to a
| > | > new one, I powered
| > | > | the computer up. It booted and started WindowsXP
Pro
| > | > successfully, though
| > | > | prior to starting Windows XP Pro, the motherboard
boot
| > | > process indicated
| > | > | that a problem existed with the floppy drive,
which I
| > | > bypassed by pressing
| > | > | F1. The problem was easy enough to diagnose;
somehow
| > the
| > | > power cable for
| > | > | the floppy disk drive had come loose from its
| > | > connector/socket. After WinXP
| > | > | Pro finished its startup process successfully, I
| > exited
| > | > Windows by selecting
| > | > | Start | Power Off | Power Off. The computer
powered
| > down
| > | > normally.
| > | > |
| > | > | After disconnecting the power cord from the back
of
| > the
| > | > computer, I replaced
| > | > | the power cable on the floppy drive's power
connector.
| > | > Then, I plugged the
| > | > | power cord into the back of the computer and
pressed
| > the
| > | > Power button.
| > | > | However, nothing happened. I checked to be sure
that
| > the
| > | > small wire from
| > | > | the Power button was still plugged into the proper
| > | > location on the
| > | > | motherboard. It was. Nevertheless, the computer
will
| > not
| > | > boot up.
| > | > |
| > | > | For the moment, I'm not sure what's wrong. I
don't
| > know
| > | > if the 300 Watt
| > | > | power supply just happened to become defective at
that
| > | > time, or if something
| > | > | is wrong with the motherboard.
| > | > |
| > | > | So, I shall greatly appreciate your kind help in
| > figuring
| > | > out what's wrong.
| > | > | --
| > | > | With kindest regards,
| > | > |
| > | > | Dick Smith
| > | > | (e-mail address removed)
| > | > |
| > | > |
| > | >
| > | >
| > |
| > |
| >
| >
| >
|
|

 

[Jack Gillis]

Hi, Jack! Thanks for your interest.

Yes I did have the Multimeter set to 15 volts DC (DCV). My 300 watt
power supply has a switch on the back with off & on symbols O and I.
I can never remember which is off and which is on, so I tried it on
both settings. The 400 watt PSU does not have a switch on the back
other than the one that selects voltage, which is set to 115.
This really is strange.

I never remember which, the O or the I, is on or off. Especially when I
trying to start my leaf blower!

Try this. Unplug all connectors from the PSU except for the case's
Power On switch. Then see if the PSU provides voltage to its
connectors. There could be a problem within the case, MB or a device
that causes the PSU to shut off. I've never heard of that in a computer
PSU but have in other electronic gear. If it does produce a voltage,
then hook up each connector one by one and see if there is voltage.
(However, voltage is not power. Under a no-load condition voltage can
be present at the proper value but when current is drawn that voltage
can go very low.)

As I typed that I realized that the Power On switch may not be
completing its circuit. With the PSU connectors still unplugged, unplug
the wires from the switch and set the meter to read OHMS or whatever it
is marked. Measure the resistance across the switch when you press it.
Unpressed it should show an open circuit (very, very high resistance).
Closed, it should show near, if not, zero with the OHM scale set to its
lowest value.

If you don't mind messing around 120V. set the meter to AC and measure
the voltage at the female end of the power cord but be very careful. We
hope it is just a bad cord for it does seem strange that two PSU's would
appear not to work.

 

[Gary]

Check the motherboard mountings to the chassis don't include any 'spare'
supporters. These spare standoffs must be removed if they are the bare metal
types, since only one can short out a track on the motherboard, and the PC
will behave exactly as you describe, nothing happens.

 

[Andy]

I have built and upgraded quite a number of PCs in the IBM ATX
architecture.

Today, I moved the internals of a computer that has been successfully
running Windows XP Pro for 2-1/2 years. That computer's internals include
an ASUS P3V4X Motherboard, 3 ATA-100 hard drives (all controlled by an
ATA/100 Promise PCI controller,) a CD-RW drive, 3 CD-ROM drives, a 3COM NIC,
a SoundBlaster PCI card, an AGP video card, and a 3 1/2" floppy drive.

After transferring all internals from my old cabinet to a new one, I powered
the computer up. It booted and started WindowsXP Pro successfully, though
prior to starting Windows XP Pro, the motherboard boot process indicated
that a problem existed with the floppy drive, which I bypassed by pressing
F1. The problem was easy enough to diagnose; somehow the power cable for
the floppy disk drive had come loose from its connector/socket. After WinXP
Pro finished its startup process successfully, I exited Windows by selecting
Start | Power Off | Power Off. The computer powered down normally.

After disconnecting the power cord from the back of the computer, I replaced
the power cable on the floppy drive's power connector. Then, I plugged the
power cord into the back of the computer and pressed the Power button.
However, nothing happened. I checked to be sure that the small wire from
the Power button was still plugged into the proper location on the
motherboard. It was. Nevertheless, the computer will not boot up.

Try unplugging the power cable to the floppy power connector, and see
if the computer goes on.

 

[Trent©]

After disconnecting the power cord from the back of the computer, I replaced
the power cable on the floppy drive's power connector. Then, I plugged the
power cord into the back of the computer and pressed the Power button.
However, nothing happened. I checked to be sure that the small wire from
the Power button was still plugged into the proper location on the
motherboard. It was. Nevertheless, the computer will not boot up.

Does the floppy light stay on all the time? If so, reverse the IDE
cable.

If that isn't it, unplug the floppy entirely and see if it boots.

Next...unplug ALL IDE devices...boot...then add them back one at a
time.

Good luck.


Have a nice one...

Trent

Budweiser: Helping ugly people have sex since 1876!

 

[Andy]

Hello, again, Jim;

This problem just gets curioser and curioser. I have double-checked all
wiring connections to the motherboard; all are properly connected, including
the Power Switch connector and the ATX Power supply connection to the ASUS
P3V4X motherboard.

I took your suggestion on getting the RS Multimeter. However, the folks
there were not aware of the How to Use book that you mentioned. So, I
checked Google and found guidelines for testing the 300 watt ATX Power
Supply. With the AC power cord from the wall socket plugged into the ATX
Power Supply, I set the Multimeter to 15 volts DC (the lowest setting
available on this Multimeter. I then used the black probe to probe one of
the black wires in an unused power connector coming from the power supply.
I used the red probe to probe the yellow wire in the power connector. I got
no reading at all. I then used the red probe to probe the red wire socket
on the power connector. Again, I got no reading. Incidentally, I did
install a good AAA battery in the Multimeter before getting started.

According to the guidelines I found on the article, that meant that the
power supply was dead and needed replacement.

So, I replaced it with as 400 watt, unswitched power supply and made all of
the appropriate connections to the motherboard and floppy drive, hard drives
and CD-ROMs

However, the computer still wouldn't start. Absolutely nothing happens
when I press the power button. No beep, no fans whirring, no lights flash.
Nada!

So I used the Multimeter to probe the 400 watt power supply's power
connector's black, yellow, and red wires with the Multimeter set to 15 DCV.
However, the needle did not budge from zero. It produced no reading
whatsoever.

Though it may be the case, I find it hard to believe that both power
supply's are defective.

I shall very greatly appreciate ay further ideas as to what might be keeping
this computer from starting.

The first thing you should check is the standby voltage, 5Vsb. Without
it, the motherboard won't be able to turn on the power supply. If it's
+5 volts, which I'm guessing it is, then check power supply on, PS-On,
while you depress the case power button. PS-On should have positive
voltage (2 - 5 volts) when the computer is off, and be at ground (less
than 0.8 volts) when the case power button is depressed and when the
computer is running. If PS-On goes to ground when the case power
button is depressed, but the power supply does not run, then one or
more of the power supply outputs is probably shorted to ground.

 

[Trent©]

The wall socket is definitely powered.

I am not aware of any circuit breaker or fuse in the 300-watt power supply.
There is a red volt setting switch; it's set to 115. If there's a fuse or
circuit breaker of some sort on the ASUS P3V4X motherboard, I'm not aware of
it.

Start over!

Take everything out of the case. Test the BIOS boot BEFORE you put
the mb back into the case.

Before you do any of that, do what someone else suggested. Check the
power switch on the case to be sure its working.


Have a nice one...

Trent

Budweiser: Helping ugly people have sex since 1876!