Solve : Computer Won't Start (at all)?

1.	Solve : Computer Won't Start (at all)?
Answer» Hey Everyone, I was away from school for 3 weeks over the christmas break, and when I came back, my computer would not turn on. When I left, it was turned off, but still plugged in. I haven't had any problems with the computer in the past. When I press the power button, nothing happens at all. There are no fans, lights, or anything going or even attempting to run. All the other devices running through my power bar are still working but just not the computer. I tried it at different outlets around my house, but the computer won't turn on anywhere. I have no idea why this happened. I am not very experienced with hardware, so I am not sure what to do. Could anyone help me out? It just seems strange that the computer was running fine before i left, and then when i get back, no power seems to be going to it at all. Details: Emachines C2825 Windows XP 2800+ AMD Athlon XP Processor If there is any other information you require to help me out, I will do my best to provide it. Thanks alotCheck in back of the pc case MAKE sure the switch is set for 110 not 220 volt & if there is a re set switch? If they are ok replace the power cord. If all fails its very POSS its the power supplyWho else had access to the machine ? ? eMachines are notorious for flakey cheap PSU's so i'd tend to agree with xavier here...Either try a new power cord or a new battery. It could be the battery died.Hey Guys, Just an update: No one else had access to the computer. It wasn't being used at all when I was away. I can't find a switch that would change the power supply, and since no one was using the computer I dont know why it would have switch over if there is one. I just found out that the power cord is fine. I tried it on my roommates computer and everything worked. As for the battery: it is a desktop computer so I dont think it has one, but I could be wrong. So what do I need to look for to see if the PSU is toasted? If it is, is it expensive to fix? Thanks for responding everyone. Please help me figure this out!I just opened up the power supply box in the computer and i found what looks like a fuse rattling around. It is small black piece with 2 pins coming out the end and says C346 VENT on it. My first reaction was that this was the fuse for the fan and that the computer would not start up because it would overheat. However, I can't find anywhere to plug it in. Would I need to solder it back it? Do you think this is the problem?billab,looks like your on to something "rattling around " parts are not usually a part of a functioning computer. Until someone believes they know what that thing is can you take a digital picture of it and post it as a reply. truenorthQuote from: truenorth on January 07, 2009, 04:54:36 PM billab,looks like your on to something "rattling around " parts are not usually a part of a functioning computer. Until someone believes they know what that thing is can you take a digital picture of it and post it as a reply. truenorth I tried taking a picture with my camera phone, but it wasn't very clear. Unfortunately thats the only camera i have. To describe it better, it kind of looks like a black push pin with two small needles instead of one. And it says C346 VENT and CapXon 220 uF25V. There are other similar pieces pushed into the circuit board, so im guessing it goes there im just not sure where. sounds very much like a capacitor to me. Now the 64,000 dollar question--where does it belong?truenorthReplace the power supply or up grade to a better PCQuote from: truenorth on January 07, 2009, 05:17:31 PM sounds very much like a capacitor to me. Now the 64,000 dollar question--where does it belong?truenorth Thanks Truenorth. I just searched capacitor on google and that looks pretty accurate. Mine looks very similar to this one but with shorter pins: http://www.germes-online.com/direct/dbimage/50312359/Aluminum_Electrolytic_Capacitor.jpg Would this cause the power supply to fail? Any tips on how to figure out where it belongs?You are better off replacing it...you could wind up with a new hairdo or worse trying to repair a PSU... Quote eMachines are notorious for flakey cheap PSU's so i'd tend to agree with xavier here... NOTE: Don't buy a 20 dollar special or you will be in the same boat shortly...billbab, The aspect of the pins on the one you found being shorter than the ones in your link may be DUE to the fact of the pins being broken off at their solder connections (wherever it was). In any event as stated i believe that your best approach is to replace the power supply. Compared to replacing the computer it will be infinitely cheaper.I am not familiar with the e-machines so a caution i might provide--ensure that the power supply is compatible.Some computer manufacturers seem to go to great LENGTHS to ensure only their equipment is useable IE: HP. A google search for a compatible PSU should give you some options for a replacement.The actual PHYSICAL replacement is a very easy task. Remember to take note of where the current power connection go so as to ensure that all the units requiring power from the new PSU get it.goodluck and keep us posted with your progress.truenorth P.S.If you have access to a reliable large computer parts supplier remove the one currently installed and take it with you and examine the replacement to ensure it will fit.

Answer»

Hey Everyone,

I was away from school for 3 weeks over the christmas break, and when I came back, my computer would not turn on. When I left, it was turned off, but still plugged in. I haven't had any problems with the computer in the past.

When I press the power button, nothing happens at all. There are no fans, lights, or anything going or even attempting to run. All the other devices running through my power bar are still working but just not the computer. I tried it at different outlets around my house, but the computer won't turn on anywhere. I have no idea why this happened. I am not very experienced with hardware, so I am not sure what to do. Could anyone help me out? It just seems strange that the computer was running fine before i left, and then when i get back, no power seems to be going to it at all.

Details:

Emachines C2825
Windows XP
2800+ AMD Athlon XP Processor

If there is any other information you require to help me out, I will do my best to provide it.

Thanks alotCheck in back of the pc case MAKE sure the switch is set for 110 not 220 volt & if there is a re set switch? If they are ok replace the power cord. If all fails its very POSS its the power supplyWho else had access to the machine ? ?
eMachines are notorious for flakey cheap PSU's so i'd tend to agree with xavier here...Either try a new power cord or a new battery. It could be the battery died.Hey Guys,

Just an update:

No one else had access to the computer. It wasn't being used at all when I was away.

I can't find a switch that would change the power supply, and since no one was using the computer I dont know why it would have switch over if there is one.

I just found out that the power cord is fine. I tried it on my roommates computer and everything worked.

As for the battery: it is a desktop computer so I dont think it has one, but I could be wrong.

So what do I need to look for to see if the PSU is toasted? If it is, is it expensive to fix?

Thanks for responding everyone. Please help me figure this out!I just opened up the power supply box in the computer and i found what looks like a fuse rattling around. It is small black piece with 2 pins coming out the end and says C346 VENT on it. My first reaction was that this was the fuse for the fan and that the computer would not start up because it would overheat. However, I can't find anywhere to plug it in. Would I need to solder it back it? Do you think this is the problem?billab,looks like your on to something "rattling around " parts are not usually a part of a functioning computer. Until someone believes they know what that thing is can you take a digital picture of it and post it as a reply. truenorthQuote from: truenorth on January 07, 2009, 04:54:36 PM

billab,looks like your on to something "rattling around " parts are not usually a part of a functioning computer. Until someone believes they know what that thing is can you take a digital picture of it and post it as a reply. truenorth

I tried taking a picture with my camera phone, but it wasn't very clear. Unfortunately thats the only camera i have. To describe it better, it kind of looks like a black push pin with two small needles instead of one. And it says C346 VENT and CapXon 220 uF25V. There are other similar pieces pushed into the circuit board, so im guessing it goes there im just not sure where. sounds very much like a capacitor to me. Now the 64,000 dollar question--where does it belong?truenorthReplace the power supply or up grade to a better PCQuote from: truenorth on January 07, 2009, 05:17:31 PM

sounds very much like a capacitor to me. Now the 64,000 dollar question--where does it belong?truenorth

Thanks Truenorth. I just searched capacitor on google and that looks pretty accurate. Mine looks very similar to this one but with shorter pins:
http://www.germes-online.com/direct/dbimage/50312359/Aluminum_Electrolytic_Capacitor.jpg

Would this cause the power supply to fail? Any tips on how to figure out where it belongs?You are better off replacing it...you could wind up with a new hairdo or worse trying to repair a PSU...

Quote

eMachines are notorious for flakey cheap PSU's so i'd tend to agree with xavier here...

NOTE: Don't buy a 20 dollar special or you will be in the same boat shortly...billbab, The aspect of the pins on the one you found being shorter than the ones in your link may be DUE to the fact of the pins being broken off at their solder connections (wherever it was). In any event as stated i believe that your best approach is to replace the power supply. Compared to replacing the computer it will be infinitely cheaper.I am not familiar with the e-machines so a caution i might provide--ensure that the power supply is compatible.Some computer manufacturers seem to go to great LENGTHS to ensure only their equipment is useable IE: HP. A google search for a compatible PSU should give you some options for a replacement.The actual PHYSICAL replacement is a very easy task. Remember to take note of where the current power connection go so as to ensure that all the units requiring power from the new PSU get it.goodluck and keep us posted with your progress.truenorth
P.S.If you have access to a reliable large computer parts supplier remove the one currently installed and take it with you and examine the replacement to ensure it will fit.

Solve : Computer Won't Start (at all)?

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