is this a power supply problem???

**Beats_BANG!** · 02-15-2009

I tried to turn my PC on, after a few tries and some rest time, it finally turned on. I let it run for a few minutes, it had no monitor plugged in, I was just testing it.

Later on, I tried to hold the power button to switch it off, and nothing happened. I ended up switching it off with the switch on the power supple.

Also, while it was on, the DVD/CD drive didn't power on.

The next day, I tried to turn it on... Nothing.

So I tried changing the little red switch on the back to 220 instead of 115 (I honestly don't know what that does) and it comes on, but my DVD/CD drive doesn't, then when I plug in a monitor, it doesn't come on (I double checked the monitor, it does work)

But, when I switch the red switch back to 115, the lights on the DVD/CD drive come on, then after 2 seconds, it shuts off, and sometimes it will come on just long enough for the lights to pop on, and then it turn off.

I really don't know a whole lot about computers, I know how to throw in RAM and some PCI cards, maybe replace a hard drive, but that's it.

I was thinking if this PSU is fried, then I might try and salvage one from another old PC and resurect it somehow, is that possible?

Thanks for anyone willing to help, I searched this topic all last night on google, and various tech sites, but couldn't really find a clear answer.

**LevLover** · 02-15-2009

could be a power supply problem. the 115/220 is the voltage selector, leave it on 115 if you're in america or turn it to 220 if your in europe. if the cd rom drives are empty, then they are only going to light for a sec on bootup and thats it, put a disk in, does it spin and do whatever it's supposed to do? if it does, it's ok, if not, it's bad. but it could be the power supply. check to make sure that the connector from the power supply is securely fasened to the mother board. also, swap some of the power plugs around going from the power supply to the drives and see if the lack of power follows. you can use a power supply from another computer, as long as it has the same type of mother board connector ( if it's not he same, it won't fit, so if it fits, you can use it). i had a computer that wouldn't turn on and i had to fiddle with it to get the machine to boot up, turns out it was the power supply. cann one from an old computer or go buy a new one, either way, you should be good.
LevLove

**Beats_BANG!** · 02-16-2009

Thanks for the response.

I didn't think anyone was going to help, lol.

I did more googling, and I finally found a tech forum, with a guy having the same problem.

The guys on there said to disconnect everything down to just one fan, the cpu fan, and the cpu plugged in, if it beeps, it means that it just won't boot because of the absence of memory. So I followed that process recconecting the memory, fine, CD drive, cool, hard drive, it shut off. So I pulled a HD outta this PC for parts I have. Plugged it in, and shure enough, everything booted up!!!!

So I put everything back in, and it's working, well except for the fact I busted the cpu fan working on it, so it spins off balance and wobbles everything.

So, ya I did it. I feel like a ****in technician and ****. Lol Thanks Lev.

**noblewordz** · 02-16-2009

You sure you put the heatsink back in right? did you take the fan off the heatsink?

**Beats_BANG!** · 02-16-2009

Ya, the heat sink is on right, I did take (the heatsink) off, but I'm sure I got it on right, I aint take the fan off, but the fan works, I'm pretty sure its just off balance, because it shakes everything, but when I hold the fan (so it stays balanced) it doesnt shake at all.

Let me know if that aint right though.

Basically, when I accidentally touched it during repair, a few blades broke off, so it works, just not right, I'm working on getting another one today.

**noblewordz** · 02-16-2009

Yeah you need another. Personally I wouldn't use the PC at all until you get a new fan. One of the biggest problems with a PC is overheating, it can do a lot of damage. You might get away with browsing.

Was the blades running while you was repairing? please tell me you unplugged from the mains lol

**Beats_BANG!** · 02-16-2009

Oh ya, its not turned on, I've left it off since. Ya, it was running, but, I wasn't pluggin or unplugging anything, my screwdriver slid off the side of the case, I tried to catch it before it fell on the mobo, and just barely bumped the fan, and blades went flying everywhere!!!!! Lol

I'm still working on getting a replacement.