Computer won't power up

Here is my problem...

One day my computer won't power on. I press the power button and
nothing happens. I took it in and had a technicion look at the
computer. He tested the power supply and said it was good and that the
problem was probably the motherboard.

So...I order a new motherboard, Install it and still no power....the
same behavior.

Anyone have any other ideas????? I need help.

Thanks, Tony

> Anyone have any other ideas?????

Never, ever, go back to that technician? :-)
Show him this posting and try to get your money back?

He/she would be less than competent to say it's probably the
motherboard if he tested only the power supply. Did he test the power
button? The power cord from the outlet to the power supply?
Processor? BIOS chip? Anything else?

Troubleshooting is a systematic method of testing everything from
square one to the end of the process and seeing where it fails. You
cannot test one item in a long process, and point to one other item if
the tested item is good.

This is what he/she should have asked/done:
Please describe exactly anything unusual in the the last known good
operation and shutdown cycle, and what happens when you press the power
button.

Sometimes, people say "nothing happens" but forget to omit important
details like, "well, the fans spin, I hear a series of beeps, but
_then_ nothing happens"!

First, plug in a known good appliance (fan, lamp, etc) into the socket
that the computer is normally plugged into, to see that you have power
at the socket (not a blown fuse, bad outlet, tripped circuit, etc)

Next, you might want to open up the computer so you can observe the
board. You didn't mention model of computer or motherboard make, but
many newer boards (last several years) have an LED showing that the
board is receiving power. You'll also want to make sure all the
connections are snug.

Then swap out the power cord from the defective computer (it pulls out
of the power supply) with a known good power cord and see if the
computer powers on. Then test the power switch on the front panel of
the computer.

If it's not motherboard nor power supply, it's the case! Maybe some
cables are not right, or something... Try putting motherboard in
another case...

Either your power supply unit is NOT really good, or you have a fault in
your case's On/Off switch.

--
DaveW



<> wrote in message
news: ps.com...
> Here is my problem...
>
> One day my computer won't power on. I press the power button and
> nothing happens. I took it in and had a technicion look at the
> computer. He tested the power supply and said it was good and that the
> problem was probably the motherboard.
>
> So...I order a new motherboard, Install it and still no power....the
> same behavior.
>
> Anyone have any other ideas????? I need help.
>
> Thanks, Tony
>

Thanks for all the great responses! I am going to get the power supply
tested again and if that i ok then I am going to pursue the on/off
button.....

Tested the power cord with a different PC. It is a 1.5 year old Dell
and I do see one light lit on the motherboard when plugged in. When I
press the power button, nothing happens, not even a beep or the
fan....all connections seem snug...

Will let everyone know how it turns out....

Dude - you got a Dell! :-)

The LED on the motherboard means you're getting power to the board.
Dell cases tend to be one piece and tool-less; after removing the
cover, you'll find the real power switch (usually a little black
square) under the power button of the cover. By observing, you may be
able to determine what gets connected when you push the power switch
and short those connections momentarily. If your computer then boots,
you know it's the switch.

The absolute best place to find info on Dells is on their website. You
can also check out the DellTalk forums hosted by Dell at:
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums

Probably not under warranty?

This is turning out to be a not-so-fun situation. Installed a new
motherboard and a new power supply and same behavior. I am starting to
think it may be multiple problems which would be hard to diagnos. I am
going to return the motherboard and powersupply so that I dont pay for
them if thats not the problem. Still pursuing the on/off button....but
cant figure out how to get the front of the dell off to inspect.

Am seriously thinking of buying a similiar Dell on ebay for ~ $350-400
and just swapping in my hard drive and some memory....

What's the specific model name and number? I'll look up a link for you
on Dell's site for removing the front for accessing the on/off button.

If you have one of the tower desktops, I believe that after you remove
the left side panel, there should be a button or tab on top that will
allow the front of the case to be removed.

It is the Dimension 8300. They have the plastic front so tightly
connected tot he steel frame that I dont see how to get it removed. I
am thinkning that the on/off button part is actually part of the case.

Hmmm..

Not familiar with the dimension 8300 - most of what I've worked on are
the business rather than home models.
Looking at the photos, it looks like all the drive cages tilt up with
the case cover. I can't tell from the illustration but I would be real
surprised if the power _switch_ were part of the front. The actual
switch should be mounted on something metal (for strength) and
typically Dell and other manufacturers but a round button on the
plastic case that pushes into the actual switch. When they attach
plastic parts to metal, there are usually either screws or tabs or
something that snaps in place.
The last of the three links below looked the most promising, but I
couldn't tell from the illustration if that would help you or not.

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...0/sm/index.htm

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...0/sm/cvrop.htm

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc.../sm/fpanel.htm

If you find no joy there, try the Dimension forums:
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportf...y.id=dimension

either the General Hardware of Upgrade Hardware groups. Folks there
are very hands-on and I'm sure someone can tell you step by step how to
disassemble the case. They helped me in overclocking a bit :-)