I have the worse luck with computers.

[KJbushway]

I am not going to go through the whole story of how many computers it took, to eventually get me my first working computer.
But that computer has decided it doesn't want to turn on.
I am taking it too a computer place tue. But I was wondering if anybody here can tell me why this is happening.
Ok I have a 300w power station.
I have my speakers and keyboard powered by the computer(usb)
I have 2 fans, with a HIS graphics card w/fan also.
It occasionally powers a dvd rom.

The motherboard has never been changed, original, and the computer is older than 5 years definitely.
I changed power boxes, but that had no effect.
So I don't know whats wrong, I haven't been interested in computers for that long. HELP pls.

 

[BlobVanDam]

So it doesn't power on? Does it literally do nothing? Does the power supply turn on? Any lights? Any beeps?
My first thought is always the power supply, but it sounds like you've tried that already.

 

[KJbushway]

Yep no lights, no noises, just dead.
Yes I have already tried two different power supplies.

 

[BlobVanDam]

Well if you've ruled out the power supply, I'm thinking motherboard. If it was CPU, the motherboard and power supply would most likely fire up, and be lights on but nobody's home. RAM and graphics would give you beeps. Anything else would most likely still let you boot.
So unless you've got a silly problem like the power button isn't plugged in, or you didn't plug in the power connector into the motherboard (which seems highly unlikely considering it stopped working without you doing anything), I would guess motherboard based on the little evidence I have.

 

[KJbushway]

Ty. Man that was my worst fears. Motherboards aren't cheap by any standards. The website I go to for cheap computer parts is Geeks.com. I just wish I knew what kind of motherboard I need. Its so old, the micro-chip's logo as faded off.

 

[BlobVanDam]

If your computer is that old, chances are you won't find a motherboard to fit the CPU (at least new). Usually when my CPU/MB die, I'm stuck with the "big 4" upgrade of MB/CPU/RAM/GPU (although sometimes you can get by without a new graphics card).
I don't know what your budget is, although if even a new motherboard is too expensive, it might be cheaper to just buy a complete second hand computer rather than go for parts.

 

[KJbushway]

The prices for motherboards on Geeks.com are actaully cheap.
http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=MBB

I will bet anything the cheap ones aren't new.
I can't afford another computer. Just to get me a computer for graduation. My dad spent 500 on the first, which had 3.0ghz,4GB ram,160 GB memory. it came broke motherboard was bad, graphics card was the only thing working.
The second fed-x lost, then gave me a two computers which weren't ordered by my father. I ended up getting his old one, becuase the HIS graphics card wouldn't fit in the new ones. It cost 700, but in the end, what we got something worth 200.
So no, getting a new one, out of the question, me and computers don't get along.

 

[{ Emilia }]

You'll have to find a motherboard that supports your cpu's socket so don't just buy any "cheap mb".

 

[KJbushway]

Problem is I don't know how to tell what kind of motherboard I would need, This pc is also one of those that is upgrade-able, my dad bought it for that reason. Thats Why I am going to a computer place so that they can

a. Tell me it is the motherboard and check the whole computer for anyother problems
b. Tell me what motherboard I have, most of the tags are worn off.

 

[Jadzia]

I don't know whats wrong.

Even with the computer off, but plugged in, do you get power to your USB ports? Does your mouse/keyboard illuminate/flash when you plug it in?

Desktop power supplies provide a trickle current for USB when the computer is plugged in but switched off. It would be unusual for this to not happen because this trickle current is provided by a completely separate transformer within the power supply, and it has it's own wire -> the purple one.

Some obvious things to check before you start buying things:

- Is the switch on back side of power supply switched on? (I'll admit I've made this mistake myself once and panicked unnecessarily )

- Is mains lead securely in the power supply? Do you have a spare lead to try? (In England we call these kettle leads, because they're a standard lead, often used on kettles. I've had one stop working before now, so they aren't infallable.)

- If you're plugging into a multiway extension lead, try a different one, and a different wall socket.

- Fuse in plug is okay?

- Are all cables securely in their sockets inside the computer?

 

[KJbushway]

I don't know whats wrong.

Even with the computer off, but plugged in, do you get power to your USB ports? Does your mouse/keyboard illuminate/flash when you plug it in?

Desktop power supplies provide a trickle current for USB when the computer is plugged in but switched off. It would be unusual for this to not happen because this trickle current is provided by a completely separate transformer within the power supply, and it has it's own wire -> the purple one.

Some obvious things to check before you start buying things:

- Is the switch on back side of power supply switched on? (I'll admit I've made this mistake myself once and panicked unnecessarily )
- Is mains lead securely in the power supply?
- If you're plugging into a multiway extension lead, try a different one, and a different wall socket.
- Fuse in plug is okay?
- Are all cables securely in their sockets inside the computer?

- Is the switch on back side of power supply switched on? (I'll admit I've made this mistake myself once and panicked unnecessarily )

No, first thing I checked.

- Is mains lead securely in the power supply?

Yes.

- If you're plugging into a multiway extension lead, try a different one, and a different wall socket.

Yes, second thing I tried, its not plugged directly into the wall though.

- Fuse in plug is okay?

yes

- Are all cables securely in their sockets inside the computer?

Yes, and they were when we tried different power suppliers.

And no power going to keyboard. or speakers.

 

[Jadzia]

Nor mouse?

Have you tried unplugging every external thing except power? ie, no keyboard, no mouse, no speakers, no monitor, and no other usb things. If one of those peripherals has failed, it could be shorting the trickle supply, which the computer needs to switch on.

 

[KJbushway]

Nor mouse?

Have you tried unplugging every external thing except power? ie, no keyboard, no mouse, no speakers, no monitor, and no other usb things. If one of those peripherals has failed, it could be shorting the trickle supply, which the computer needs to switch on.

The mouse is battery powered, the only usb connection is in front that lets me control it wireless.

Yes I unpluged everything. All usb. Even my graphics card, the extra fan I put in not to long ago, even the main fan it came with.

 

[Jadzia]

Then it's most likely a motherboard failure.

If you want help to identify the model, you can post a picture, or quote the biggest writing you can see on it, which is often printed between the expansion slots.

 

[KJbushway]

Expansion slots?
I am not familiar with terms yet sorry. That those empty openings right?

 

[sojourner]

If the computer is that old, you won't find a new motherboard to replace it. Trust me. My computer was top of the line 5 years ago with an AMD Athlon 64 FX2 and they no longer make motherboards for it. (or the cpu for that matter). Your best bet may be to go to a reputable website like Tigerdirect and order a bare bones kit. They usually come with the mobo, cpu, case, and power supply. Either that or order an entire PC from them for cheap.

 

[KJbushway]

Man I really want to avoid buying a new computer. Thanks for the info guys. I will see how it goes tomorrow and hopefully they tell me good news. Maybe they could fix my current motherboard?

 

[BlobVanDam]

There's not much you can do to fix a modern computer component. They'll guaranteed just tell you to get a new one.

 

[KJbushway]

I can't really afford this right now, but I need it for school.
You might be wondering why I just can't use this one.
This is my mothers and doesn't have the applications that my computer had. Shes at work which allows me to use it.

 

[ngc7293]

Your average computer store will want to charge you to look at the computer. One option if you don't want to buy new hardware is to look at the Salvation Army store near you and see if they have a computer that you can buy for cheap. You can install your hard drive as a slave drive. It won't be fast but if this is just for school reports then it won't need to be.