My computer is reluctant to start

squeaky

OK... the voltage I am reading on the PS_ON pin is varying between 0.0 and 0.1 volts which I assume means it is holding at an active zero.

So now what guys: cos I'm seriously stuck here. I cannot get a start at all.

squeaky

Right... having obtained an old system box via Freecycle I am about to start transferring into it my various peripherals (drives mainly).

I know now for absolute sure that monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and router aren't the cause of the problem because they're already on this new box and, fairly obviously everything is fine.

So I've been thinking... (and yes my brain hurts)... since the above listed items aren't it, and I've disconnected drives in various combinations (from one of them to all of them) and not changed the problem, and I've replaced the motherboard which means that I've also changed the bios, video chip, lan, and cmos battery; plus done as thorough a check of power supplies as I can...

..there's pretty much only one thing that I haven't been able to swap out or replace. The processor.

Could that be the cause of my failure?

In any event - I'm now at the stage where it would cost me £40 to get the computer to my nearest repair shop and back plus (what?) £100 to £150 for parts and labour? So perhaps getting close to £200 for a repair - and that would still mean that most of my bits are at least three years old. Hmm... I can almost buy a whole brand new computer for that.

So, I know it's a low end budget option - but do you guys think this one is value for money?

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164667

spakkker

Durons are ancient in computing terms. The system you mention isn't bad ,but there is little info on the mo/bo , only 2 memory slots.
I have an e5200 ,now running over 3.5 ghz, they are great value cpu's- but you may want to check out a m/bo for yourself.
Eg. g31-es2l +e5200 +2gb ddr2 + psu ~ £130??? Hard drive and dvd +case ~£70 but you could get these later, maybe get case first time around- I'm still using an old beige case but see - http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=553406

squeaky

spakkker wrote: »

Durons are ancient in computing terms. The system you mention isn't bad ,but there is little info on the mo/bo , only 2 memory slots.
I have an e5200 ,now running over 3.5 ghz, they are great value cpu's- but you may want to check out a m/bo for yourself.
Eg. g31-es2l +e5200 +2gb ddr2 + psu ~ £130??? Hard drive and dvd +case ~£70 but you could get these later, maybe get case first time around- I'm still using an old beige case but see - http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=553406

And in English this is (these are?) ??

And you talk of a beige case but the link goes to a processor...?

Sorry, my brain's still in how the heck do I sort this mode and I've no idea what g31 is/are, or if you meant the link to the processor or intended pointing me at a case.


OK. Got it. (google is my friend )

Motherboard £40
Processor £53 to 65 (depending on version)
PSU 400w £20
2GB DDR £20

That's £145 (ish)

Now add a hard drive, DVD, keyboard, case and mouse and we won't be at all far away from the model I listed.

Hmmm processor speed 2.6Gigs which is slower than yours, but the 4GB of ddr2 memory should take some of the pain out of it. I'm not entirely sure but I think the DVD is a dual layer writer too.

So OK, not absolutely the best I could get but not too shabby for the money, and already built - which could save me some grief.

Wa-a-ay better than what I currently have - even when it was working.

spakkker

Hi -you just about got there! My e5200 is overclocked -very easy with a suitable m/board and is slower than e5300 at stock but why not get extra performance for free? It's now running faster than any standard intel cpu.
Your list adds to £133 - I'm only using a cheap psu -£10 - the other bits you could add later.
My pc is in a carpy old beige case ,I can live with that, and the link is to what I have got upto with my cpu.
Point is- you don't have to lay out that much to get current tech which will really open your eyes

squeaky

spakkker wrote: »

Hi -you just about got there! My e5200 is overclocked -very easy with a suitable m/board and is slower than e5300 at stock but why not get extra performance for free? It's now running faster than any standard intel cpu.
Your list adds to £133 - I'm only using a cheap psu -£10 - the other bits you could add later.
My pc is in a carpy old beige case ,I can live with that, and the link is to what I have got upto with my cpu.
Point is- you don't have to lay out that much to get current tech which will really open your eyes

I don't do cheap when it comes to PSU's

I've never gone the route of overclocking either. If I think it might genuinely make a (trouble free) difference then I'll take a look. And even then - if and only if it can be easily reversed.

I have to admit - right now I'm sick at the sight of the inside of a computer. It would be really nice just unpack a box and turn it on.