Computer won't restart after power outage

[Cathy]

This happened before, but after jiggling the cord it finally came on.
We thought it was just a loose cord from reaching across it to turn
the power strip off when the lights went out.

Then last night we had another power outage and now no matter what we
do to the cord, the computer won't come on. The monitor and speakers
come on, and the modem lights on the back of the computer light up,
but the computer itself doesn't come on at all.

The first time we thought maybe the power supply went out, but then
with the cord jiggle thing we knew it wasn't that. I still don't
think it's the power supply because the modem lights are coming on
when we turn the power strip on. They go off when the power strip is
turned off, so the motherboard is getting at least a little juice.

Any ideas?

 

[Guest]

This happened before, but after jiggling the cord it finally came on.
We thought it was just a loose cord from reaching across it to turn
the power strip off when the lights went out.

Then last night we had another power outage and now no matter what we
do to the cord, the computer won't come on. The monitor and speakers
come on, and the modem lights on the back of the computer light up,
but the computer itself doesn't come on at all.

The first time we thought maybe the power supply went out, but then
with the cord jiggle thing we knew it wasn't that. I still don't
think it's the power supply because the modem lights are coming on
when we turn the power strip on. They go off when the power strip is
turned off, so the motherboard is getting at least a little juice.

Any ideas?

Check the power supply for the correct voltage out puts. A "Little Juice"
isn't enough.

HTH

 

[Cathy]

Check the power supply for the correct voltage out puts. A "Little Juice"
isn't enough.

HTH

Ok. How do I do that? I don't mean to sound like such an idiot, but
I guess in this case, I am. Will I need some kind of machine to check
voltage?

 

[philo]

This happened before, but after jiggling the cord it finally came on.
We thought it was just a loose cord from reaching across it to turn
the power strip off when the lights went out.

Then last night we had another power outage and now no matter what we
do to the cord, the computer won't come on. The monitor and speakers
come on, and the modem lights on the back of the computer light up,
but the computer itself doesn't come on at all.

The first time we thought maybe the power supply went out, but then
with the cord jiggle thing we knew it wasn't that. I still don't
think it's the power supply because the modem lights are coming on
when we turn the power strip on. They go off when the power strip is
turned off, so the motherboard is getting at least a little juice.

Any ideas?

It may be as simple as just re-setting the bios.
there is often a reset jumper located next to the bios chip...
have a look at your motherboard manual if you have questions

 

[Cathy]

It may be as simple as just re-setting the bios.
there is often a reset jumper located next to the bios chip...
have a look at your motherboard manual if you have questions

Thank you, I'll try that.

 

[philo]

Thank you, I'll try that.

Hope it works...I know as a fact my bios needed to be reset after a power
failure...I almost threw the board out!

 

[kony]

This happened before, but after jiggling the cord it finally came on.
We thought it was just a loose cord from reaching across it to turn
the power strip off when the lights went out.

Then last night we had another power outage and now no matter what we
do to the cord, the computer won't come on. The monitor and speakers
come on, and the modem lights on the back of the computer light up,
but the computer itself doesn't come on at all.

The first time we thought maybe the power supply went out, but then
with the cord jiggle thing we knew it wasn't that. I still don't
think it's the power supply because the modem lights are coming on
when we turn the power strip on. They go off when the power strip is
turned off, so the motherboard is getting at least a little juice.

Any ideas?

After each step, try powering on. After trying to power on, unplug
system (or switch off surge protector) prior to the next step.

1) Unplug the system (or turn off surge protector) for 10 seconds and
try it again.

2) Remove modem from system.

3) Clear CMOS (jumper, in the motherboard manual or likely near the
battery.. if all else fails, just remove the battery for 10 minutes,
same difference)

4) Remove all non-essential parts, leave nothing but the following
connected to motherboard or power supply:

video card (if not integrated)
1 memory module (unless using rambus memory, then a pair)
CPU
CPU heatsink fan
Power switch plug
(then turn system AC power back on and try to start system. If it
fails, try clearing CMOS and retry).

5) Have someone check the voltages with a voltage meter. Using a
meter incorrectly can quite easily short out the power supply or cause
other damage if done incorrectly, so have someone else do the testing
if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.

 

[Cathy]

After each step, try powering on. After trying to power on, unplug
system (or switch off surge protector) prior to the next step.

1) Unplug the system (or turn off surge protector) for 10 seconds and
try it again.

2) Remove modem from system.

3) Clear CMOS (jumper, in the motherboard manual or likely near the
battery.. if all else fails, just remove the battery for 10 minutes,
same difference)

4) Remove all non-essential parts, leave nothing but the following
connected to motherboard or power supply:

video card (if not integrated)
1 memory module (unless using rambus memory, then a pair)
CPU
CPU heatsink fan
Power switch plug
(then turn system AC power back on and try to start system. If it
fails, try clearing CMOS and retry).

Thanks so much, I'll give all this a try.

5) Have someone check the voltages with a voltage meter. Using a
meter incorrectly can quite easily short out the power supply or cause
other damage if done incorrectly, so have someone else do the testing
if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.

I certainly will. Just thinking about that makes me nervous. I
really appreciate all the help. Thanks again.

 

[Cathy]

Hope it works...I know as a fact my bios needed to be reset after a power
failure...I almost threw the board out!

Yes, I've been thinking of throwing the whole thing out. I found
manuals for everything but my motherboard so I'm using that "remove
battery" method. I did find, while looking, that the computer's
parts are still on warranty so that's good. If I can't fix it with
all these suggestions I can always hand it over to Gateway.

(I really hate to get on the phone with techies, though. I always
feel stupid for hours afterward.)

 

[Bob Day]

Yes, I've been thinking of throwing the whole thing out. I found
manuals for everything but my motherboard so I'm using that "remove
battery" method. I did find, while looking, that the computer's
parts are still on warranty so that's good. If I can't fix it with
all these suggestions I can always hand it over to Gateway.

(I really hate to get on the phone with techies, though. I always
feel stupid for hours afterward.)

Gateway?? If you get someone on the line who knows
enough to make you feel stupid, as opposed to vice-versa,
consider yourself lucky.

-- Bob Day

 

[w_tom]

Multimeter is the first fact that provides something
useful. Using it is trivial simple, and summarized here:
http://tinyurl.com/2gjet

'Try this' and 'try that' is just a lot of wild
speculation. Get some solid facts first. What are the
voltages in that purple and green wires? Only then start
pointing to the right (power supply), left (motherboard), over
there (switch), etc. First get some facts. Speculation and
changing hardware comes later.