Desk Top Computer

[guido]

It is dead! It went out overnight, while on sleep mode. The power did not go out. The monitor light is
on, but it won't power up.
It is a few years old HP Desk top, not a tower.
Must be getting power, as the monitor is on the same circuit.

I may not get a chance to look at it today, but sure like to get it going. I do use it especialy when I do
a lot of typing. It has open office, but I also have MS Office. I did not install it yet.

Now I get to play detective, and hope I can get it going. What to look for in this situation?


Guido.

 

[JF in MI]

Try removing the charge cord and battery then hold down the power button for a few seconds. Reinstall everything then try normal startup. Nothing to lose.

 

[MarkB_MI]

Does it beep when you turn it on? A single beep indicates the computer passed its Power-On Self Test (POST), while a series of beeps indicates some sort of error. You'll have to look of the POST error codes for your computer, as different manufacturers use different error codes. And if you get no beep at all, that indicates a major failure, probably the motherboard or power supply.

Assuming the computer passes its POST, then the next obvious thing to check is the monitor. Try swapping out the monitor if you have another one, or try using the suspect monitor with a different PC.

It's also possible you have a bad video adapter or videop cable. But you should see some sort of message on the monitor if that's the case. Most low-end computers use a video adapter that's on the motherboard, but you can usually plug in an aftermarket video card if the on-board video adapter has failed.

 

[Uniballer]

Open it up and check the power supply voltages with a DVM. Replacing a dead power supply is a pretty easy fix, if that is all.

 

[guido]

MarkB_MI,

Totally dead! I will check and see if power is at the plug, probably ok,

Guido.

 

[guido]

JF in MI,

Not a lap top, just a/c cord going into the box,

Guido.

 

[MarkB_MI]

> Totally dead! I will check and see if power is at the plug, probably ok,

Check the power supply voltages, as Uniballer suggests. A dead PS is quick and easy to replace.

 

[rrlund]

Did you unplug it and plug it back in? Mine did that a few times, died in its sleep. I took it in once. When they plugged it in, it worked. Happened again, I unplugged it for a while, plugged it back in and it worked.

 

[guido]

Unibaler,

The power cord plugs in on one side, and the power supply with the fan, is on the opposite side of the case.

I am guessing that power goes to the board first then the power supply plugs in the board?

Will check tomorrow,

Guido.

 

[guido]

rrlund,

Yep! tried that. I need to get my meter out in the A.M. and go probing,

Guido.

 

[tech4]

With the computer plugged in- Hold your finger on the ON/OFF button for 15 - 30 seconds. After that - unplug the computer and wait at least one minute before plugging back in. Plug in and then push the power button one time and the computer should start unless the power supply or cord is defective. Be sure to check that the power cord is pushed in and making contact in the back of the computer.

 

[MarkB_MI]

> With the computer plugged in- Hold your finger on the ON/OFF button for 15 - 30 seconds. After that - unplug the computer and wait at least one minute before plugging back in. Plug in and then push the power button one time and the computer should start unless the power supply or cord is defective. Be sure to check that the power cord is pushed in and making contact in the back of the computer.

Which does what? Or is that a joke?

 

[M-MAN]

It's a forced shutdown. Common all the way back to 98.

 

[MarkB_MI]

> It's a forced shutdown. Common all the way back to 98.

And what does that do for a desktop that unplugging it from the wall will not?

 

[M-MAN]

It forces every program (even hidden programs) to shut down before powering down. This let's the computer reboot without trying to restart programs that were still running at the same time. You won't get the error messages you get with a power interruption should a program be running either.

 

[MarkB_MI]

> It forces every program (even hidden programs) to shut down before powering down. This let's the computer reboot without trying to restart programs that were still running at the same time. You won't get the error messages you get with a power interruption should a program be running either.

The computer doesn't (re)start applications, the operating system does. Guido says his computer is not completing POST (no beep), which, if correct, means the OS never loads.

 

[tech4]

It is a forced shut down for a computer that has been put to sleep and will not awake. Quite common problem. That may not be his problem but cheap to try. I have fixed many computers over the phone with those instructions.

 

[mozark]

Had a buddy whose HP desktop died it was a power supply, odd ball thing that was really hard to find a replacement for, hope that is not your problem.

 

[oldproudvet]