[bushcraft]

Hi,

First off, im not very techy at all so I apologise up front.

I have just started a new business and my four and half year old DELL PC has just gone wrong, great timing!

This is what happens.....

The computer starts up fine and then just dies as if the plug has been pulled, BUT even though it seems to lose power, a light faintly blinks on the tower. At first it did this once every three days and now its once every 5 - 15 mins.

I was told this is a fault with my graphics card?

I can't work like this and I don't really want to spend any more than £100 sorting out a 4 and half year old PC.

Do you know what the heck this could be? and is it worth me fixing it? Or shall I just buy a new computer, I don't need the hassle and at its age is it really worth fixing? It has a lot of stuff on it but it seemed OK until this, only minor problems before hand.

I would be so greatful for some help here. Oh, and im almost positive its not the monitor as the tower seems to be affected too.

Many thanks
Kris

[alex]

Hi Kris.

This could be one of a number of things unfortunately.

Sounds a lot like a power problem actually but I'm getting ahead of myself there.

Are the fans spinning up?
Are you hearing any beeps upon switching the pc on?
If so, how many?
Does windows display on your screen when you boot the pc?
If so, does the image deteriorate at all into various colours and/or lines?

[bushcraft]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the reply.

The fans seem to be spinning (well, I can hear them anyway).

I can't say I have noticed any beeps.

When I turn it on the screen is the same as always, no problems with the display or anything like that.

It is as if it closes (or loses power instantly) but, the light on the tower blinks slowly and the speaker light and monitor light remain on, although its so fast they may go of for a split second but its too fast to see.

I just don't no if I should try and fix it or just get a new one and be done with it as I don't want an increased risk of losing my info, or just loss of a computer for a long period of time.

Many thanks
Kris

Originally Posted by alex Hi Kris. This could be one of a number of things unfortunately. Sounds a lot like a power problem actually but I'm getting ahead of myself there. Are the fans spinning up? Are you hearing any beeps upon switching the pc on? If so, how many? Does windows display on your screen when you boot the pc? If so, does the image deteriorate at all into various colours and/or lines?

[alex]

It sounds very much as if it's going into standby. I'd suggest this is definately a hardware issue. I don't think it's graphics as you'd just get a 'no signal' message on your screen

Assuming you're using XP try this:

Start Menu>Settings>Control Panel>PowerOptions

Set all the settings to "Never"/"Always

Also:

Go to Start Menu>Settings>Control Panel>PowerOptions

Then go to the Advanced tab, Under Power Buttons, make sure
"When I press the Power Button" and "When I press the sleep Button" are set to "Do Nothing"

Check all connections to the motherboard from the psu, ensure they're connected properly. If unsure, disconnect then re-seat.

These are all troubleshooting steps and may not solve the issue but at least we'll know what it isn't.

Let me know how you go.

[bushcraft]

Thanks Alex, I have set those and will see how it goes, somtimes it will work for a day or so although it has been some time since it did that. I will let you know how it goes! Have a good night!

Kris

Originally Posted by alex It sounds very much as if it's going into standby. I'd suggest this is definately a hardware issue. I don't think it's graphics as you'd just get a 'no signal' message on your screen Assuming you're using XP try this: Start Menu>Settings>Control Panel>PowerOptions Set all the settings to "Never"/"Always Also: Go to Start Menu>Settings>Control Panel>PowerOptions Then go to the Advanced tab, Under Power Buttons, make sure "When I press the Power Button" and "When I press the sleep Button" are set to "Do Nothing" Check all connections to the motherboard from the psu, ensure they're connected properly. If unsure, disconnect then re-seat. These are all troubleshooting steps and may not solve the issue but at least we'll know what it isn't. Let me know how you go.

[alex]

No problem.

Post back if the problem rears it's ugly head again.

[bushcraft]

hi Alex,

I left the PC on all night to see if it went off again, but this time when I checked on it in the morning it sounded like it was about to take off.

I tried turning it off by holding the tower button down but it wouldnt do anything so I had no choice but to turn off at the mains.

I thought maybe it over heated but it sounded like the fan was running, I think thats what the loud constant noise was.

A new one is sounding good at the moment!

Thanks
Kris

Originally Posted by alex No problem. Post back if the problem rears it's ugly head again.

[mrdaveyk]

have you ever cleaned the fan i mean a 4 year old comp is gonna have a coat of dust in there. but i suppose if it remained on all night then perhaps its not overheating

[alex]

G'awd, you've got some issues here haven't you.

Could be psu, could be motherboard (although I doubt it), could simply be temps.

Troubleshooting time:

To check psu:

Remove (as in unplug or physically remove) everything you don't absolutely need for the pc to boot; optical drive(s), leave one stick of ram, second hdd etc. Then leave it running.

Actually, forget the motherboard.

To check temps:

Download speedfan here run this application and let me know the temps.

[bushcraft]

blimey, sounds hard for a computer muppet like me. I will give it a go, if you hear a big bang and see a large flash please don't feel too guilty

Kris

Originally Posted by alex G'awd, you've got some issues here haven't you. Could be psu, could be motherboard (although I doubt it), could simply be temps. Troubleshooting time: To check psu: Remove (as in unplug or physically remove) everything you don't absolutely need for the pc to boot; optical drive(s), leave one stick of ram, second hdd etc. Then leave it running. Actually, forget the motherboard. To check temps: Download speedfan here run this application and let me know the temps.