sudden hard shutdown, will not power up anymore

Discussion in 'PC hardware help' started by j24ep, Aug 26, 2009.

  1. j24ep

    j24ep Member

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    I am fearing the worst but wanted to know what others think of my situation.
    My current configuration is in the signature. No recent changes. I was playing tomb raider: underworld, when suddenly it shutdown; no warning nothing... So I wait a second or two and try to start it up again thinking it was just a fluke incident. No. It will not power up anymore. What is interesting, though, is the power good signal light on the mobo is lit. I wanted to know if this light ensures the power supply is good and works properly. If yes then is it possible there is a bad front pannel power switch. The switch, come to think of it, has always been a bit finicky. If not then what other hardware is possibly bad?
    BTW I have tried unplugging and/or switching the actual ps off and back on.
     
  2. KillerBug

    KillerBug Active member

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    The light on the mainboard just tells you that one of the voltages is working correctly, you can loose all your 12V rails, and that light will stay on. It's mostly there to remind you to switch the power supply on.

    If you fear the switch is bad, just unplug it and short the pins with a screwdriver...but that does not sound like the problem(try it anyway, it's an easy test)...a sudden shut down like that is usualy a sign of massive system failure. The first thing I would try is to remove or disconnect everything but the mainboard and the power supply. The board should turn on, even without ram or video or a processor. If it does not, you know that either the power supply or the mainboard is shot. Looking at your system specs, I would not be suprised if either (or even both) were bad.
     
  3. j24ep

    j24ep Member

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    Okay thank you! I will try that asap. I'm in college so when I get free time, knock on wood, it will get some attention. hopefully this weekend...
     
  4. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    My first thought is a dead PSU, but the board could also be at fault. Try a new PSU first as they're easier to replace.
     
  5. j24ep

    j24ep Member

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    Thank you all for the input! I went and got a new PSU to replace the almost new one that went out; it was only 3 months old! Best Buy was kind enough to give me a replacement. I put the new one in and it started right up. Only a day has gone by but hopefully this one lasts longer than the first. Thanks again
     
  6. KillerBug

    KillerBug Active member

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    From your sig: "BFG tech ATX 12V 2.2 550 watt modular PSU"

    I think you did rather well to get a whole 3 months out of one of those...even better to get a second one for free.
     

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