Hi all.
I'm new to the forum. Hope someone can help me out.

We had some storms the other day, and lost electrical power. The power went out, and came back on a couple of times really quick(less than a minute). It then stayed out for about 6 - 7 hours. Now, my computer is showing no life at all. The computer is a Compaq Presario model SR1010Z with an AMD 3200+ 64bit processor, about 2 - 3 yrs old. I'm not SURE of the MB brand.

The SURGE protector obviously did not protect, but it is still working, and so is everything else plugged in to it. I can't smell anything burned, so I don't suspect a direct lightning strike. I think the surge protector couldn't handle the rapid up and down spikes from the power going on and off so fast and so often.

My first suspect was the power supply, but in doing some research, I found out the ATX motherboard could also be the culprit. I have another computer I built and have been upgrading over the years, so I pulled the PS and was going to try it in the other PC, but the power connectors are different. (24 pins won't fit a 20 pin connector)

Does anyone KNOW how to test an ATX 24 pin PS with the 12V +4 connector? I can't really afford to start buying parts at random, and those Geek Squad GUYS charge a fortune!

I am familiar with the interior of a PC and know something about how they are PUT together, but I have never had to do much troubleshooting before.

Any help would really be appreciated. The computer is used by my wife. She can't get out of the house very easily, so the computer and the TV are her only companions while I am at work. And even with 400+ channels there are many times there is nothing on worth watching.First start with the PS as you said, 24 pin should fit on a 20 pin just leave the 4 pins out on one side. Make sure that the PS on the dead board is not dead.

If there is power on the motherboard then your PS is ok, you would want to check if your RAM is working also, test components one by one with your working computer and let us know if there is any progress.

God Bless America"""""Also your surge protector is not working. It may have power and light up but the part that makes it a surge protector and not a fancy power strip is toasted. I would replace that ASAP.


On a 24 pin PSU power plug 4 pins are unused...some are designed to be split away from the plug but this is not always neccessary.
The plug will only go in one way if you note where the hold down clip is orientated as to the MBoard.
Just take your time and look at things carefully and you should be OK.

To test if the old PSU has a reset breaker hook it back up. Toggle the power switch on the PSU a few times before plugging it in. Then if it fires up you're also good to go.One thing that has happened me me like that before with frequent power on/offs is that sometimes I have to remove al power to my PSU, then hold down the power switch for about 15-20 secnds to purge all power, then plug it up again and it goes again

Kurtis