My computer's dead, I think.

[Riotsword]

I come home from my girlfriend's place, and my mom tells me that the computer's having problems. So I go home, and when I turn it on, there is a screen telling me that Windows didn't start successfully, and there were several options for running it in safe mode, etc. I choose to run Windows using the last working configuration, and Windows begins to start up.

Suddenly the screen goes completely black, and the monitor goes to sleep. The power light on the comp was still on, but nothing happened. I unplug it and wait a few moments, and then try again, but nothing happens at all when I press the power button except the power light comes on.

So, what's the deal? Any solutions out there from your computer experts?

[Red Dragon]

Re: My computer's dead, I think.

Have you checked the connection from your monitor to your PC?

[Riotsword]

Re: My computer's dead, I think.

Monitor to PC is just peachy. The thing is, normally when the PC's turned on, there's the usual starting-up sounds, fans going, a beep, etc. Nothing happens now. Not even the fans moving.

I was told it might be something to do with the power supply?

EDIT: I guess, if I don't get this fixed, I might not be here again for a while. Argh.

[The_Real_Crunk]

Re: My computer's dead, I think.

Yeah, sounds like there may have been a power surge that fried something.

Or mabye an important cable came loose. Youd be surprised how many problems can be fixed by unplugging EVERYTHING, then plugging it all back together.

[Marc M.]

Re: My computer's dead, I think.

Yeah, try what Crunk said.
And if that doesnt work, a Power Supply problem is most likely what it is.

[Riotsword]

Re: My computer's dead, I think.

Crunk, I did the whole unplug-everything trick already. I actually opened up the tower to clean out all of the dust that had been collecting in there for four years. Which is most likely one of the main contributing factors to my comp's death.

[thetruecoolness]

Re: My computer's dead, I think.

Crunk, I did the whole unplug-everything trick already. I actually opened up the tower to clean out all of the dust that had been collecting in there for four years. Which is most likely one of the main contributing factors to my comp's death.

So does everything start up, and then almost immediately stop (fans, etc), cause if so then yeah it's likely you're power supply is gone.

Worst possibility is it did have a surge, and some things could have gotten fried. If you have another computer and know how to transfer the HD to it, try that (still booting from the HD on the other computer). This way you can check to see everything is still on the HD, and should probably back up important stuff to the HD on the other computer. But sounds like a faulty power supply to me, as that's usually what happens when just the power light is on and nothing else.

So go get a decent power supply, hook it up and all should be well. If you want to go through the trouble, you can take a power supply out of one computer and try it on yours, just to see if everything else if fine.

[Riotsword]

Re: My computer's dead, I think.

I had a feeling it was the power supply. Whenever I'd plug it back in, I'd hear a high-pitched whining sound emanating from said power supply that faded away after several seconds.

[Karr Lord of Chaos]

Re: My computer's dead, I think.

dead. my 486 did that before it finaly gave up on life, it was a good run too, 10 years of faithful service. just retire the peice of crap and buy a new one.