cheap pc

Fifer

duncan32 wrote: »

:mad:
No, not backed up. So, that's something I never worked out how to do and something which I will certainly be working out how to do when I get my new computer I can assure you!

You don't have to work it out. Superscaper has done that for you.

rdpro

definitely sounds like the psu - a fair replacement is about 15 quid. I doubt it's damaged any other parts inside, that only tends to happen with power spikes and yours has more than likely degraded to become underpowered.

They're simple to fit, only 4 screws in the back and are standardised - take the old one out, bimble down to your local pc shop, and get a matching supply (preferably min 500w tho)

timbim_2

You must be using another computer to talk to us, so you could test the hard disk without much problem, simply take it out and put it in another pc. I would imagine that a psu is your woe, years ago one of my computers went completely in the repair shop. The psu exploded melting the motherboard and rendering the hard disk completely written off. It refused to spin. Thankfully, all I lost were photos! No, seriously, rebuilding your pc is by far the cheapest way to do anything, just before you touch any of the insides make sure that you de-static yourself. Touch a radiator or other earthed metal item, eg outside of metal toaster. There would be nothing worse than trying to fix a psu and killing a perfectly good processor or ram board!

duncan32

rdpro wrote: »

definitely sounds like the psu - a fair replacement is about 15 quid. I doubt it's damaged any other parts inside, that only tends to happen with power spikes and yours has more than likely degraded to become underpowered.

They're simple to fit, only 4 screws in the back and are standardised - take the old one out, bimble down to your local pc shop, and get a matching supply (preferably min 500w tho)

Think that's what it is then? I must admit, I used to leave my PC on ALL THE TIME, NIGHT AND DAY, pretty much. Would that cause this to happen? The fans aren't spinning or anything, its just dead. So, how will I know what to look for in the PC?

Duncan

timbim_2

Open up the case and have a look at the box that the power lead goes into. This is the Power Supply Unit. It's probably fried. They go with age, and never turning your computer off could have disasterous affects on the unit. Have a look at it. If it looks burnt or smells funny then it's probably packed up. If absolutely nothing happens when you press the button then that's probably the answer.

Fifer

timbim wrote: »

It's probably fried. They go with age, and never turning your computer off could have disasterous affects on the unit.

Sorry, but no. Leaving electronics on 24/7 if anything, is likely to extend their life, not reduce it. Most items fail when switched on or off, not when running.

I tend to agree that the PSU is the likely candidate here, but don't rule out the motherboard. I had one fail a few months back (caused by 'capacitor plague') and the symptoms were very similar.

BigBouncyBall

if you're going to replace the PSU, spend a bit more than £15 on it. You get what you pay for with those. A cheap PSU might go bang again quite quickly. A quality one has a good warrenty and is likely to last much longer. It's a false economy to be buying cheap computer parts.