Computer help please.

**redls1** · 11-20-2008, 04:58 AM

Got home this afternoon and my computer won't work. I turned it on and it loaded then shut off. Waited a few minutes and tried again and it barely started and just shut off. Do you think this could be the power supply or something simple that we could do ourselves? (Also, it doesn't sound to me like the fan is running, would this make this happen?)

This was from my sister. They had the motherboard re[place 3 times. Im thinking processor overheating,cpu or a bad ground. It seeems as though once it gets runnubg it gets to hot. Check for to much dustin the fans etc...

**Mike's TA** · 11-20-2008, 09:32 AM

If you don't hear the fan, that's more than likely your issue. The computer will automatically shut down when the processor over heats.

You may need to replace the fan. It's fairly simple, but if you don't have any experience working on a computer I would recommend taking it to someone as you could electrostatically fry your processor.

**redls1** · 11-20-2008, 11:44 AM

Yeah thats what Im trying to avoid telling my sister who is in Va. Ive been lucky and never killed a processor though.

**B34M3R** · 11-22-2008, 08:48 AM

Hmmm....

Well, it could still be the power supply. As a matter of a fact, if NONE of the fans are running(theres usally at least one case fan in addition to your CPU fan, then I would suspect thats the problem rather then the fan itself. But if it is the fan, don't freak out too much about swapping it... You won't be touching the processor itself...

Ground yourself out on the case before you start if you are really paranoid(touch a non-painted metal surface on the inside of the case), but the fan rests on top of the heatsink... which is non-conductive, you so have nothing to worry about.

Oh, and hate to say it, but it could be the mobo itself too... I'd check the fans thing first... and then the powersupply (they are fairly cheap for the most part)... they aren't too hard to replace... most pain in the ass part is unplugging all the old power wires and pluggin in all the new ones.

And if that doesn't do it... the mobo prolly took a crap on you.

**Silver Streak** · 11-22-2008, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by B34M3R

Hmmm....

Well, it could still be the power supply. As a matter of a fact, if NONE of the fans are running(theres usally at least one case fan in addition to your CPU fan, then I would suspect thats the problem rather then the fan itself. But if it is the fan, don't freak out too much about swapping it... You won't be touching the processor itself...

Ground yourself out on the case before you start if you are really paranoid(touch a non-painted metal surface on the inside of the case), but the fan rests on top of the heatsink... which is non-conductive, you so have nothing to worry about.

Oh, and hate to say it, but it could be the mobo itself too... I'd check the fans thing first... and then the powersupply (they are fairly cheap for the most part)... they aren't too hard to replace... most pain in the ass part is unplugging all the old power wires and pluggin in all the new ones.

And if that doesn't do it... the mobo prolly took a crap on you.

This happened quite frequently at my last job with Dell desktops.. the Capacitors would blow on the motherboard, and it would allow the computer to boot up for a few mins to about a half hour or so.. but then it would just shut down... and get worse from there.. if you see the caps bubbled up (not flat on top) or have a orangish substanse coming out of them.. the MB is shot...

**tnthub** · 11-28-2008, 07:55 AM

The most logical compont to replace is the power supply. Also be aware if the fan on the CPU has stopped turning it "should" also turn the system off but if it is cool to start normally a dead cpu fan will allow you a few minutes of time (until it heats up) before it switches the system off.

Power supplies are pretty inexpensive and extreley simple to install. No configuration required... Just bring the old one with you or make a template of the screw holes to make sure the replacement fits, and make sure you know your processor and motherboard type in terms of any connectors that might be required. It is more common sense than intelligence.

**shady milkman** · 12-01-2008, 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by tnthub

The most logical compont to replace is the power supply. Also be aware if the fan on the CPU has stopped turning it "should" also turn the system off but if it is cool to start normally a dead cpu fan will allow you a few minutes of time (until it heats up) before it switches the system off.

Power supplies are pretty inexpensive and extreley simple to install. No configuration required... Just bring the old one with you or make a template of the screw holes to make sure the replacement fits, and make sure you know your processor and motherboard type in terms of any connectors that might be required. It is more common sense than intelligence.

yup...if you buy a standard power supply..like from thermaltake you will very happy and it will have every connector you would ever need. it sounds like to me..its your cpu fan. but thats just me