PC won't switch on

honeypop

Hi clever people in the techie forum!

I am using my PC at work to write this, as my one at home won't switch on...

Last night I unplugged my desktop PC, monitor, printer etc to move the desk away from the wall to clean behind it (which I have done many times before), when I plugged everything back in I pressed the button on the front of the tower unit and nothing happened.

I have checked all the leads are in properly, still nothing happens when I press the power button. I also tried another power cable but still the same. There is a little green light on the back that is flashing so I assume some power is getting to it (never noticed it before), but it still won't switch on.

I didn't knock it or anything when I moved it, just slid the desk forward about a metre and then back up to the wall again and plugged it all back in.

Can anyone help me with this? Obviously I can't try anything until I get home later but I haven't got a clue what to do!

rdpro

the little green flashing light will be your network port showing activity, it runs on very tiny voltage. Sounds like there's either an issue with the power supply inside the case, or maybe the power button on the front has somehow disconnected.

If you're certain you've checked all the leads are in and live (good tip, if the monitor is showing a power light, use that lead in the pc to test) then it's case open time and fiddle inside I'm afraid.

totalsolutions

Check the power switch, (back, top). There is a switch there.

rdpro

not on every pc though, so if it isn't, don't be alarmed!

(I should have thought of that hehehe)

honeypop

Lol, I did look for a switch first of all, incase I'd accidently knocked it to 'off' but there isn't one there!

I will try it with the monitor power lead then, as I know that one is fine.

fas3robinj

Honeypot ... Have a listen ... can you hear any fans running???

If you think you have tried everything, I would disconnect the computer from the mains, open the case and push all the connectors from the power pack to the motherboard, to check they haven't come loose, and are seated correctly. Look for any other plug that may be loose, but don't plug anything in the isn't already connected. There are often free unplugged leads in a PC, that shouldn't be plugged to anything(lol).

If everything else fails the powerpack inside a PC is fairly cheap ... £15-25. It is also relatively easy to change by anyone who is reasonably good with DIY, etc.

I would take it out (making note of where everything plugs into, and go to a local PC component company to make sure you get the right one. You could even ask them to test it for you.

Good luck.

honeypop

Well I tried it with a different power lead and didn't work. I opened the case and checked everything was connected properly.

There are no fans running.

A bit gutted as someone is about to give us their pretty new pc which runs a lot quicker and we only need to get it switched on now to get all our info saved on it off this one and onto the new pc. They suggested we can just remove the hard drive and add it in the new pc, therefore taking everything we saved with it. Is this right, can we do this?

BillScarab

Yes, you can.

Disconnect your PC from the power and then open the case. Then unplug the two connectors from the back of the hard drive. Then remove the hard drive, it will either be held in by screws or clips. Be careful not to cut yourself as the insides of some cases have rough metal edges.

Then open up the new PC, find a spare slot for the drive and fit it in. Connect the cables and away you go. Then either copy the data onto the hard drive of the new PC or jsut leave it on the old one.

Personally I would copy it to the new one and format the old disc to get rid of the windows installation. You then have an empty disc you could use for backups or something.

If there is no room in the new case or the there are no free power or data cables you could always buy a USB caddy to put the drive in and get the data off that way.

jje_2

Best method is .
Have new machine up and running OK

Power off
Remove hard drive from old machine couple of screws and two cables .
Now comes the possible problem old drive is different type to new drive . Old PATA new SATA .
Does not matter if its the same with thin cables connection two of rather than a power cable and flat ribbon connector . Then just set the jumper on old hard drive to slave and connect .
If its as probable a flat ribbon type connector then if no connector spare on mother board it can be temp connected instead of the cd/dvd drive .
Once old drive is connected you will see in my computer and can transfer over docs pictures etc . But not programs etc.
Best thing is have look it both machines and post cable type and what you want to recover from the old machine .

jje

TonyLisaP

I would suggest opening your case and checking that everything is seated properly, you probably have a loose card. I would think that you disconnected your graphics card from the motherboard when you moved the desk, the cable being still connected to the monitor may have dislodged it. If you have network activity, i.e the green flashing light then you definately have power.

fermi

TonyLisaP wrote: »

I would suggest opening your case and checking that everything is seated properly, you probably have a loose card. I would think that you disconnected your graphics card from the motherboard when you moved the desk, the cable being still connected to the monitor may have dislodged it.

That was my first thought (after the PCU/switch). I discovered that would stop the PC doing anything at all last weekend when I was having fun and games with my PC.