What could be wrong with my 'puter?

[Dizzle]

So, I was turning off computer the other day (the proper way, as I always do) and instead of the usual screen saying Windows is saving your settings (Windows XP) it shut everything down immediately after I selected the shut down option.  I figured, "That's strange", but didn't give it any further thought.

A couple of days later, the computer wouldn't boot up.  All of the components were getting power, but the hard drive wouldn't boot windows, I got no video signal, and I couldn't even get into bios.  After a week of the same results, I figured, well the mobo or CPU is shot -- time to get another one.   Then I figured I'd try one more thing... unplug the computer for a while, and then start it back up -- worked with no problem.

Anyone have any ideas what could have caused that?

[AlexC]

I had a similar problem and it ended up being a bad stick of RAM.
I swaped it with a stick from another computer and that was all that was
wrong.

[Dizzle]

Interesting... how did you finally diagnose it as a RAM problem?

If that's it, it might also explain some of the other issues I've been having...

[leapinlew]

Interesting... how did you finally diagnose it as a RAM problem?

If that's it, it might also explain some of the other issues I've been having...

I've had a similar problem with a bad power supply... The way I found out was I kept throwing parts at it till it finally worked. Hate to say that, but thats what it took...

[RayB]

I've experienced something similar with a failing power supply.

I recommend you get yours checked and replaced sooner than later. I let mine continue like this till it died a smokey death, taking my hard drive and motherboard with it.

[leapinlew]

I've experienced something similar with a failing power supply.

I recommend you get yours checked and replaced sooner than later. I let mine continue like this till it died a smokey death, taking my hard drive and motherboard with it.

Ouch! or, I should say Ouch$

[AlexC]

Mine was thru process of ellimination 

[RandyT]

So, I was turning off computer the other day (the proper way, as I always do) and instead of the usual screen saying Windows is saving your settings (Windows XP) it shut everything down immediately after I selected the shut down option.  I figured, "That's strange", but didn't give it any further thought.

A couple of days later, the computer wouldn't boot up.  All of the components were getting power, but the hard drive wouldn't boot windows, I got no video signal, and I couldn't even get into bios.  After a week of the same results, I figured, well the mobo or CPU is shot -- time to get another one.   Then I figured I'd try one more thing... unplug the computer for a while, and then start it back up -- worked with no problem.

Anyone have any ideas what could have caused that?

I don't know if this is specifically a "failing power supply" problem.  I have seen similar things happen when an ATX supply gets "confused".  It seems pretty much dead until you pull the plug (or if it has a switch, turn it off.)  Then wait for the capacitors to discharge to get a real "cold" boot.  I have been able to accelerate the process by holding down the power button for a few seconds with the unit unplugged.

It sounds strange, but you would not believe how many times that little trick has worked , and on how many different computers.

RandyT

[Dizzle]

Randy, that sounds about right..

One thing I noticed when the computer was supposed to be off, was that the led lights on my keyboard were still being powered.

This is the first and only time it's happened... I'll keep an eye on things from now on.

Thanks all!!

[Fozzy The Bear]

That is the correct answer from Randy, if you still had lights on your keyboard at the time when the computer was off......

The reason for this is that your power supply is in fact several power supplies in one box... there are two output leads to the mother board.... one is the computer power... the other is the Auxiliary Power.... The computer power, supplies power to the chipset and processor.... The Auxiliary Power provides power to the buses and peripherals (Hard Drive, Video Card etc etc...)

the computer power section was still on! if you had lights on the keyboard.  The Auxiliary power was not starting up because the computer power section was telling it "HEY! What are you trying to do, We're already turned on" and thus wouldn't let it start up.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[PCtech]

The way I found out was I kept throwing parts at it till it finally worked. Hate to say that, but thats what it took...

I agree....this is always the quickest / easiest / best way to troubleshoot which part is bad (if spare parts are easily available)....IMHO...

Power supply would be my guess too, but if the keyboarad lights were on after the "quick" shutdown, then it didn't really "cold boot"....can't help but wonder if it was somehow in "sleep" or "standby" mode...I've had more than one PC that wouldn't "wake up"  , and I had to "yank the plug" for awhile

I had never heard RandyT's idea holding the power button to "accelerate" the process, but it makes sense....gonna have to try that..

Also, you may want to do a backup (if you haven't already), just in case there is more to it, and it dies for good....

[Dizzle]

Yeah,

I've decided to start taking steps to back up both of my computers after going through this little excercise.  The one that was giving me problems really doesn't have anything on it that I don't already have on CD or DVD, but my other computer is almost 6 years old now, so I'm guessing it's just a matter of time.

What's the easiest way (whether it be software or hardware) to back up systems?

[divemaster127]

just use a spare power supply & test it, it takes 10 minutes to change & then you can eliminate it being that prob
dm

[PCtech]

Yeah,

I've decided to start taking steps to back up both of my computers after going through this little excercise.  The one that was giving me problems really doesn't have anything on it that I don't already have on CD or DVD, but my other computer is almost 6 years old now, so I'm guessing it's just a matter of time.

What's the easiest way (whether it be software or hardware) to back up systems?

Simplest way I use is Windows backup (backup everything)...it's free and built in.

I've used Symantec/Norton Ghost in the past (about 5 years ago) and had good luck with that too.

[darthbane2k]

I once had the same problems - yes it was a bad power supply - well, no so much bad, but not powerful enough