Pc Issues

Sylvester

chilli_dog wrote: »

why dont you put your other hard drive into the pc your using now, make sure its set to slave and you can access your stuff

I wouldn't have any idea on how to do it tbh. I may ask flatmates brother if he thinks the other PC is irrepairable and see what he says.

I think I may need a new PC....and i'm skint!

This one will do to browse the net, but that's it. It's a very old flat PC as opposed to a tower that has Windows 98!

bonsoirbonsoir

If there is a burning smell, then yes definately replace it!

How about the power supply from the PC you are using in the old PC? They changed (to ATX) about 1999 ish, but it might be the same type. The only thing that will be different (if I remember correctly) is the power cable to the motherboard. The old type had two cables I think, and the new type just one (which looks like the one on the photo earlier).

Its not that hard to replace, but I suppose if you can wait for someone who knows what they are doing, then better to be safe that break your PC.

If your existing one is 145 Watts, then go for a 200 watt one, though I doubt whether you'll find a brand new one that low. Doesn't matter if the wattage is higher, it just means you can support more devices (hard drives, DVD drives etc etc).

... Just re read your last post. Seriously, if the PC worked last time you switched it on then just replacing the power supply will be fine. No need to buy a new PC.

Sylvester

I think this PC is very old. 3gb HDD, Pentium2 processer, 64 Ram....so slllloooow.

Flatmate has contacted Brother and we shall see what he says and if he can come and sort it. I can stretch to a new power supply if it's not too much over £40!

The PC was fine last night, it's just today it's started making this noise and the fan at the back of the PC noisy and vibrating.

mdbarber

at 145watt its likely to be a micro atx psu, shouldnt cost more than £30 to replace incl labour if u take it too a reputable shop(5 mins work), just do it as further turning on may casue it to blow damaging other kit

totalsolutions

Sylvester mate, take it one screw at a time. You need a posidrive screwdriver. 1st remove a screw in the top right and then put it back. Then remove the the 2nd screw and put it back. Do this for each of the four screws. Now was that easy? Do it a couple of times, taking more than one out at a time, then replacing them. Notice there are all the same size and can be fitted in any location. Now you have the experence to continue. Follow each cable and carefully, but firmly pull on the white plastic ends to remove from each drive. (4pins with red/yellow/black wires). Find the large white power connector going to the motherboard. Move aside any cables out of way. This plug 20 or 24 pins has a small latch on one edge, squeeze and remove plug.

Remove power supply and vist a maplins store for a new/better unit. Not anything under £25 and reinstall in the reverse order. Will take you about 15-20 mins. Good luck.

Lokolo

Have you tried just blowing into the back of the PSU (where the fan is)?

My computer used to do this every year or so, used to fill up with dust and cause the fan inside PSU to catch on something, every now and again I would buy a can of air and spray it into the PSU and after that it was fine.

When I didn't have a can I would just blow (quite hard, not girly like) a few times in (works best when the PC is on).

Sylvester

It's not my day! The CD drive on the really old PC has just died!

Sylvester

mdbarber wrote: »

at 145watt its likely to be a micro atx psu, shouldnt cost more than £30 to replace incl labour if u take it too a reputable shop(5 mins work), just do it as further turning on may casue it to blow damaging other kit

Yes, i'm not turning it back on. I shall await the flatmate's brother. He said around £30 as well.

Sylvester

totalsolutions wrote: »

Sylvester mate, take it one screw at a time. You need a posidrive screwdriver. 1st remove a screw in the top right and then put it back. Then remove the the 2nd screw and put it back. Do this for each of the four screws. Now was that easy? Do it a couple of times, taking more than one out at a time, then replacing them. Notice there are all the same size and can be fitted in any location. Now you have the experence to continue. Follow each cable and carefully, but firmly pull on the white plastic ends to remove from each drive. (4pins with red/yellow/black wires). Find the large white power connector going to the motherboard. Move aside any cables out of way. This plug 20 or 24 pins has a small latch on one edge, squeeze and remove plug.

Remove power supply and vist a maplins store for a new/better unit. Not anything under £25 and reinstall in the reverse order. Will take you about 15-20 mins. Good luck.

Thanks for the instructions. Flatmate's brother who is in the PC business is coming down later in the week to do it for us.

Should he cancel, I shall come back to this.

Thanks

Sylvester

Lokolo wrote: »

Have you tried just blowing into the back of the PSU (where the fan is)?

My computer used to do this every year or so, used to fill up with dust and cause the fan inside PSU to catch on something, every now and again I would buy a can of air and spray it into the PSU and after that it was fine.

When I didn't have a can I would just blow (quite hard, not girly like) a few times in (works best when the PC is on).

I blew it this morning and it didn't do anything and it wasn't a girly blow

Not going to turn it on again after the burning smell, just incase!