Can't start PC

[Treeroy]

Hi

As of yesterday, my PC won't start. Yesterday morning I tried to turn it on and couldn't. Nothing happened when I pressed the power button and after pressing it several dozen times it eventually turned on and the PC was fine.

This morning the same thing has happened but I still can't get it on. Opening up my PC I can see that every so often clicking the power button will get the fans started for half a second. Lights on the front are working fine and permanently on so clearly some power is going through.

Any ideas what to do?

Case: HAF X
PSU: Evga 650G

 

[Vic 40]

I would first test with another psu if possible.Maybe from a friend or ..

 

[GhislainG]

Could you test with another PSU? I had that issue a couple times. Once it was the motherboard that eventually failed completely. Another time the motherboard was intermittently shorting to a mounting post; reinstalling it and making sure it was centered over the mounting posts fixed it.

 

[Treeroy]

I did the paperclip test and it won't start so Im gonna assume its the PSU. I've got a couple of spare PSUs around somewhere so I will try with that.

 

[Vic 40]

Okay,do let us know what happens.

 

[Treeroy]

plugging the MB connector from the new PSU does make the computer turn on, so i'm going to replace the power supply. problem is, I built this PC 2 years ago and havent really touched it since, I can barely remember how to connect everything. and unplugging everything is a right mess because of the way I cleaned up the wires.

 

[Treeroy]

well, damn. the spare PSU doesn't have the right connectors for my components, so that's no help. But it does provide power to the motherboard, so I think I will try to get an RMA. I guess I have no computer for now. 🙁

 

[GhislainG]

well, damn. the spare PSU doesn't have the right connectors for my components, so that's no help. But it does provide power to the motherboard, so I think I will try to get an RMA. I guess I have no computer for now. 🙁

At least you were able to determine the PSU is the issue. Since you couldn't connect everything to the spare PSU, does the EVGA PSU also work if you don't connect everything, i.e., if you only connect the motherboard and whatever else could be connected with the test PSU?

 

[Treeroy]

well, damn. the spare PSU doesn't have the right connectors for my components, so that's no help. But it does provide power to the motherboard, so I think I will try to get an RMA. I guess I have no computer for now. 🙁

At least you were able to determine the PSU is the issue. Since you couldn't connect everything to the spare PSU, does the EVGA PSU also work if you don't connect everything, i.e., if you only connect the motherboard and whatever else could be connected with the test PSU?

no, none of it works. i have no idea what went wrong with the PSU, I don't do any demanding activity on the computer.
I do sometimes leave the PC on for long periods of time (20 hours +) but it is odd that it only happened today.

 

[GhislainG]

Leaving it powered on for 20 hours a day isn't an issue. Unfortunately any component can fail.

 

[Treeroy]

I suppose so. I've started the RMA process, I imagine it will take a few weeks to resolve 🙁 and then probably come back and it won't work anyway. Buying another PSU for £80 wouldnt be the end of the world but I have just bought a car and can't afford to be paying to fix my computer. I'm lucky I don't need my computer for work.

 

[GhislainG]

If you needed it for work, then you'd have no choice. Spending £80 to fix it would be a better option than having no income.