computer turn wont turn on

[woahthere]

I was playing counter strike then all of a sudden the screen went blank then the fans started to make loads of noise so i turned it off and now when i turn it on the fans start the dials move and light up but it makes some beeps then nothing happens just the fans spining, its happened before and i sent it back and they put a new motherborad in but the company has gone bankrupt so carnt send it back is there any way i can tell for sure its the motherborad and help choseing a new one??.

[patio]

1) Punctuation.

2) More info on your system, OS and what happened prior to this and someone will be along shortly to assist.

[woahthere]

Os is xp, i dont know much about computers but this is from what i can remeber. ATI x6550 pro, two 512 ddr ram, two 200gb hdd, 2 dvd-r drives, cool master dials , 230v power suply. intel p4 ht

[woahthere]

Forget the last post i just found the spec sheet. motherboard spec and type P4915G, ram 1024, video card type x600, processor type P4 530 and xp

[patio]

Just from what i see so far that system is underpowered...http://carpc.kyferez.com/Tools/PSUWattageCalculator.php

The above link will clculate your needs and i'd guess they are a bit more than 230 W.

p.s. Don't scrimp on a PSU...$19.95 will get you only more headaches.

[woahthere]

If the psu wasnt enuff power, would'nt it have stoped working alot earlyer?. Its been running fine for just under a year

[tribert]

Did you have a power surge - soulds like a problem with the hard drive.

[woahthere]

no iv got a serge protector, like i said before i think its the motherborad but people have said that the psu is not enuff power

[tribert]

One way to test the power supply issue is to disconnect somthing and see how the computer runs.

[woahthere]

how the computer just makes some beeps when its turn on and the fans spin thats it

[tribert]

1st if your computer was working fine with the current power supply, I don't know why it is now inadequate - unless you added somthing. But computers are strange. Before you power-up disconnect somthing that you don't need. If you have a second drive disconnect the power to it. Then power up - if you just have the basic items running and you still have problems, it is likely another problem. More power is good suggestion, but it might save a trip if it is a different problem.

[woahthere]

If you have a second drive disconnect the power to it. What do you mean by that

[tribert]

Your prior notes state you have 2 hard drives and 2 DVD drives. Open the case and disconnect the power cords to the slave drive and the DVD drives. That will reduce the power drain on the computer. If it starts then you will likely need more power.

[dl65]

woahthere... It might help find the problem ...if you tell us exactly what beeps you heard ....were they long or short and in what order ........Also the type of bios to have .....

dl65  

[woahthere]

Thanks tribert i disconnect a hdd and a dvd drive and the comp is working fine so i must need a new psu, but it is strange how it has just stoped working

[tribert]

It is odd. Try shutting down and seperately reconnecting each device. It might isolate the drive that is causing the problem. For example: reconnect one DVD drive and see if your computer starts. The problem could still be with one of the drives.  

[woahthere]

well i just tryed to turn on with both dvd drives connected but the fans just spined no beeps this time so i unpluged the dvd  drive again and its workin fine

[tribert]

Do you need both DVD drives? They may be conflicting with each other - did they work together before you had the problem or did you add them later. Try re-connecting the second hard drive.

[woahthere]

they worked together fine. One problem is when i click start turn off nothing happens it ends all the propgrams but just stays on at the desktop so when i turn it off with the button on frunt sometimes it does not boot up straight away

[Dell4700]

How much of a power supply you need for your system depends on what you are using (your hardware/software) and how/what you are using it for (software/hardware).

Each type of activity can require much different loads on your PS (startup, idle, gaming, drive activity, etc.).

PS are commonly rated (most) for the maximum output they can provide.  Sometimes you can get info about power ratings for specific voltages (e.g. 12v & 3.3v).

Many will design systems to match case type, since this can determine your potential maximum use.  For example, the following is commonly used "rule of thumb."  - MiniTower=350w, MidTower=380w, FullTower=450w and ServerTower=550w.  These usually include at least a 30% margin of safety.

I believe you say you are using a 230 watt PS with a P4 system, 1 GB ram, 2 DVDs, 2 large hard drives & a graphics board?

I guess my question is not why it doesn't work now, but how it ever worked in the first place!  I can only imagine you have changed the use of the system (gaming) or added additional hardware.

Hope you follow the above advice and replace the PS.  Your system can suffer a lot worst than occassional blank screens.

Dell

[woahthere]

thanks for the help everyone but i am always playing fps games so its not like i just started to play games

ps how hard is it to install a new psu i have never modified a pc before will i have to take parts out and will the psu come with the nessasery cables or do i already have them

[GX1_Man]

It takes about 4 screws once inside the case and unplugging and relugging wires. All will be included with the new PSU. Don't settle for a $9.99 cheapy. YOu can burn up more than that easily. It's really very simple.

[woahthere]

ok thanks for help

[GX1_Man]

Just get a quality power supply that is big enough and stable enough to pull the load. Make sure it has SATA outlets if you have or may want SATA drives (all of the newest ones do.)