Computer problem

[mrkilla22]

So here's the story. My computer was on for 6-8 hours yesterday before I turned it off. Then my girlfriend wanted to use it, so she went to turn it on (this was like 5 minutes after I turned it off) and only the fans came on (the computer didn't seem to boot and I couldn't hear any sounds of the computer booting either). The computer is only about a year old or so. Another interesting thing is that the button that turns on the computer doesn't turn the fans off when you hold it in. Normally you can press it in once to turn the computer on and you can press and hold it in to turn the computer off, but in this case, the fans don't turn off when I press the button and hold it in.

What do you guys think the problem is most likely?

[Sun Tzu]

I'd say one of two things.

The video out took a dump on you, aka you need a new video card.

The PSU is shot, and isn't providing power to all of the necessary components to fully boot up the system.

Where did you buy the PC? What's the make/model? Did you buy the extended warranty?

[mrkilla22]

Ok, I figured it was either the power supply or the video card. I think I've had a similar problem on a different computer before.

I bought it from iBuyPower. I'll have to check for you on the make, model and warranty status when I get home though.

Thanks.

[mrkilla22]

Here is what I bought. It looks like I have a 3 year limited warranty. I called them and left a message to see what my options are. The fan on the power supply works as well. What do you think?



<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td>Case Nzxt Apollo Gaming Tower Case w/420W Power Supply Black )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Case Lighting ( None )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Power Supply ( Standard Case Power Supply )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Processor ( AMD AthlonT X2 7750+ Black Edition Dual-Core CPU w/ HyperTransport Technology )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Processor Cooling ( Certified CPU Fan and Heatsink )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Motherboard ( Asus M3A78-CM AMD 780V/SB700 Chipset w/Integrated ATI video, 8-channels, Gb LAN, S-ATA Raid, USB 2.0, Single PCI-E MB )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Memory ( 4 GB [2 GB X2] DDR2-800 PC6400 Memory Module Corsair-Value or Major Brand )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Video Card ( NVIDIA GeForce 9800GT 512MB w/DVI + TV Out Video )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Video Card Brand ( Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Hard Drive ( 320 GB HARD DRIVE [Serial-ATA-II, 3Gb, 7200 RPM, 16M Cache] )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>2nd Hard Drive ( None )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>External Hard Drives [USB 2.0/eSATA] ( None )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>CD/DVD Drive ( None )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>CD-RW/DVD-RW Drive ( LG 20X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive Black )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Sound Card ( 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Speaker System ( 600W PMPO 3 PCS Super Bass Subwoofer Speaker System )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Network Card ( Onboard LAN Network (Gb or 10/100) )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Floppy Drive ( None )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Monitor ( None )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>2nd Monitor ( None )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Keyboard ( PS/2 104 Key Windows 98 Keyboard Beige )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Mouse ( Logitech Optical Internet Mouse Black )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>USB 2.0 Accessories ( Built-in USB 2.0 Ports )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Meter Display ( None )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Flash Media Reader/Writer ( 12-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer Black )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Operation System ( None- Pre-formatted Hard Drive Only )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>USB Flash Drive ( None )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>MP3 Player ( None )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Video Camera ( None )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Headset ( None )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Power Protection ( None )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Warranty ( Warranty Service Standard 3-Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Technical Support )</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Rush Service ( Rush Service Fee (not shipping fee) No Rush, Ship Out in 5~10 Business Days )</td></tr></tbody></table>

[Sun Tzu]

Any ideas gentlemen? I'm a bit stumped on this one, I think I need more coffee. The thing that's getting me is the PC doesn't turn off when he hits the power button.

Are you getting any kind of image on the monitor at all?

[dolfin]

That is a tough one. Seems like the last couple of times I've had a somewhat similar problem its been video related. First time, my lcd completely crapped out, second time was the video card. Would obviously be best to test those out first, but I understand not everyone has lots of spare parts laying around. :)

[mrkilla22]

No image on the monitor. The monitor goes to sleep mode in 5 seconds or so since it doesn't receive video from the computer. I'm going to get a video card and swap it out today to see if that's the problem.

[mrkilla22]

I swapped out the video card and that doesn't seem to be the problem either. Could it be the motherboard or something else?

[Silver Owl]

I had a similar problem not long ago. I unplugged everything from the usb ports and the computer came on fine. It ended up being a computer to tv video adapter that was causing problems.

[Sun Tzu]

mrkilla22 - It sounds like it might be your motherboard man. Either way, I'm sure you're covered under your warranty since it sounds like a manufacture defect.

[dwardzala]

Did you check to make sure that the power supply connections to the motherboard are all good? Some systems run the fans straight from the power supply.

[MizzouRah]

My first thought is the power supply.

You could also try removing all memory and adding one back at at time to see if it boots (as long as it's not dual channel)

[k0ruptr]

My first thought is the power supply.

You could also try removing all memory and adding one back at at time to see if it boots (as long as it's not dual channel)

yes do this, it could be just an unseated ram. also try using canned air or what not and get rid of any dust or whatever inside the case, if nothing works call them again and bitch, they'll fix it.

[mrkilla22]

Hmm, no luck so far. I swapped out the motherboard and switched around the ram sticks, etc and still no change. Not sure what else it could be.

[mrkilla22]

Did you check to make sure that the power supply connections to the motherboard are all good? Some systems run the fans straight from the power supply.

Yeah, I've checked all the connections multiple times since I've swapped hardware (motherboard, power supply, and video card) out multiple times.

[Sun Tzu]

Well...I'm stumped. If it were me, by now I'd be calling iBuypower. They have to take care of you somehow. Most, if not all of the products in your rig have a 3 year manufacturers warranty.

[Ironhead]

Have you tried simply hooking it up to another monitor?

[Sun Tzu]

Have you tried simply hooking it up to another monitor?

I thought about that too, but the fact that turning it off via the power button doesn't do anything leads me to believe that there's something more at stake than just a bum hard drive or monitor.

[mrkilla22]

Yeah, the monitor works fine. I'm gonna call to see what they can do.