Computer randomly won't turn on

[Mindflux]

I'm not necessarily sure this is a power supply problem but this seemed like the most reasonable place to post this.

 

My computer has been more or less fine - couple months ago reformated and reinstalled windows.

 

It had been on 24/7 for a year or so, lately I've had it on sporadically (3-12 hours every couple days).

 

Today, it doesn't turn on. Hit the power button and nothing happens, idle mobo light is on, mobo buttons also do nothing. Tried switching power supply on and off, no effect. Is there anything it could be other than the power supply? Anything else I should try? (I'm going to switch rails once I work up some motivation)

[ReelFiles]

My first thought is PSU, you gotta be careful when it's acting up like that, it's very easy to kill a mobo with a bad PSU. If you can't afford another test PSU you can get a power supply tester for around $20 or so.

[Mindflux]

I can always do a best-buy free rental .

 

I'm going to switch the mobo to the second rail and see what happens. A terrible idea to stick to that if it does work?

[radodrill]

The most common/logical explanation is a dead PSU; but in some instances grounding issues can cause similar results.

[ReelFiles]

Yeah, but it's unlikely since he's been running fine for so long.

 

If it is indeed the PSU, or just one of the rails, get rid of it, not worth the risk man.

[dr_bowtie]

how about the power switch on the case going bad...? it happens

 

I got a case here the power switch is going dead...you gotta press it rapidly a couple times to get it to boot...

 

just use something to short the terminals on the motherboard where the power switch hooks to...

 

Usually if it's a PSU you wont get the idle light if it's all the way dead or you hit the power switch and the fans turn on but nothing else...

[wolverineI]

How about using the onboard power and reset switches.It Is a DFI right?

The nf4 ultra has an issue with power good signal to some PSUs.Pull the PSU power cable,Hit the power switch to clear the caps,wait 30-60 minutes, replace power cable and turn on.Learned this from using the famous Aspire 500w.Reason I got a Fortron.If this works get a Fortron, Silverstone,Mushkin works too,thats all I use now,Oh and the Thermaltake in my wifes Asrock.Silverstone and Mushkin have the 8 pin cpu power for the Amd 790,780, 770 mobos also.

[RyderOCZ]

I can always do a best-buy free rental .

 

I'm going to switch the mobo to the second rail and see what happens. A terrible idea to stick to that if it does work?

Switch the mobo to the second rail??

 

This is a single rail PSU.

 

Test the PSU like this:

 

Disconnect the PSU from everything (wall, mobo, etc) ...then plug the unit back into the wall socket and connect a couple hard drives to a molex connector to provide a load.

 

Now....with the switch on the back of the PSU in the off position...locate the Dark Green wire in the ATX connector and using a paper clip (or something similar) "jump it" to any of the black wires in the connector....Now flip the switch on the back to On.......the PSU should start up and run.

 

Pictures of the jumpstart are here: http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/sh...ead.php?t=34941

 

Let me know what happens,

 

Thanks