Question Computer hardware problem(won't turn on).

[n72.75]

Okay so my brother has been having some problems with his computer. One day about two weeks ago he went to turn it on after an electrical storm only to find that it would not POST, he couldn't even get anything to display on the screen.

Before i go any further i should mention that, while nothing displayed on the screen, all the fans did turn on.

I suggested that he might want to take the CMOS battery out, wait 30 or so seconds, then replace the battery and turn it on again. This worked, or so we thought. The computer turned on and behaved as normal, no slowdown no RAM error's on startup. However after using it for three or so hours and then turning it off, he couldn't get it to turn on again. So I suggested that he might have some dead RAM and that he might want to try taking each RAM stick out individually and testing them one at a time. This seamed to work for one stick, leading me to believe that he had bad RAM. So he bought one stick of new RAM and again, the computer worked the first time he turned it on, but after turning it off it would't turn on again.

So just today he call's me (I'm about 500 miles away from him right now so I can only help him by phone) to tell be that after much experimentation he can get it to turn on with 100% reliably IF he takes out the CMOS battery for a minute or so before turning it on. and then has to wait roughly a day before he can do it again.

He's probably just going to buy a new computer, but if any of you have ever experienced something like this and know how to help, I would appreciate it, and it would mean a lot to my brother.

Thanks
-Matthew Hume

 

[Fabri91]

This is very unusual...it seems likely that only the board is broken so it might be possible to change only that component instead of changing the whole rig?

 

[TSPenguin]

Sounds like a failed mobo. Could also be a weird PSU failure.
Just for fun and giggles before replacing the mobo, he could try to flash the bios...

 

[garyw]

Could be the sign of a dying PSU, not even enough power to kickstart the mobo into life. If possible he should try a new PSU or one from another working machine.

 

[Bj]

So just today he call's me (I'm about 500 miles away from him right now so I can only help him by phone) to tell be that after much experimentation he can get it to turn on with 100% reliably IF he takes out the CMOS battery for a minute or so before turning it on. and then has to wait roughly a day before he can do it again.

He's probably just going to buy a new computer, but if any of you have ever experienced something like this and know how to help, I would appreciate it, and it would mean a lot to my brother.

Thanks
-Matthew Hume

Hmm interesting problem. Though never heard about this in particular, though about a month ago, a single lightning bolt hit about 1/2 mile from work and killed/damaged roughly 10 or 15 computers. (though hard to attribute the 'damage' to a power surge because they might just break just because) It most likely is with your motherboard. If it cannot be replaced, then the computer is next.

The very first thing to do is to check if still under warranty. I think most brands might cover power surges and whatever. That should be before anything else, but if its not then proceed to try repairs.

If the CMOS battery is removed and that temporarily fixes the problem I would first try running entirely without the battery. Even though every time he restarts he will have to press F1 or something.

Try doing a few 'power cycles' with the battery removed as well. IE. turn off the computer, unplug everything electrical (that is everything, power cable, network cable, CMOS battery). Wait for like a minute or so, then plug it all back in, (minus CMOS battery in your case) Then run it normally for 24 hours or so and see if it crashes.

Sometimes a few power cycles can fix the problem because the static or surge of electricity can build up and interfere with the electronics inside. This method worked on 2 computers I was working on for whatever reason.

might be possible to change only that component instead of changing the whole rig?

Depends what part, but in this case its either the motherboard or the BIOS chip... with a good bet on motherboard.

Yes your right though, a single part is much cheaper than a whole computer :thumbup:

 

[truckspond]

Okay so my brother has been having some problems with his computer. One day about two weeks ago he went to turn it on after an electrical storm only to find that it would not POST, he couldn't even get anything to display on the screen.

Before i go any further i should mention that, while nothing displayed on the screen, all the fans did turn on.

I suggested that he might want to take the CMOS battery out, wait 30 or so seconds, then replace the battery and turn it on again. This worked, or so we thought. The computer turned on and behaved as normal, no slowdown no RAM error's on startup. However after using it for three or so hours and then turning it off, he couldn't get it to turn on again. So I suggested that he might have some dead RAM and that he might want to try taking each RAM stick out individually and testing them one at a time. This seamed to work for one stick, leading me to believe that he had bad RAM. So he bought one stick of new RAM and again, the computer worked the first time he turned it on, but after turning it off it would't turn on again.

So just today he call's me (I'm about 500 miles away from him right now so I can only help him by phone) to tell be that after much experimentation he can get it to turn on with 100% reliably IF he takes out the CMOS battery for a minute or so before turning it on. and then has to wait roughly a day before he can do it again.

He's probably just going to buy a new computer, but if any of you have ever experienced something like this and know how to help, I would appreciate it, and it would mean a lot to my brother.

Thanks
-Matthew Hume

Sounds like that electrical storm did something to the PSU. I have actually seen a very similar failure occur before and a new PSU fixed it, so at least try that before buying a new computer.

And check the wattage on the PSU to make sure you do not get one with a lower wattage.

P.S. How many hard drives does it have, and have any been added recently?