Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: sborgan on September 24, 2010, 01:01:38 PM

Title: pc won't turn on and power supply makes faint clicking sound
Post by: sborgan on September 24, 2010, 01:01:38 PM

I've been working on computers for many years and have come across something that ive never seen before. I have a hp media center pc m7067c that does not turn on and the power supply makes a faint clicking sound every second. When i unhook the ps from the mb the sound goes away. I know the ps works cause ive used it in another pc. All the drives power up in another pc and I have put in a new mainboard and still have the same issue. Any help would greatly be appreciated!!

Title: Re: pc won't turn on and power supply makes faint clicking sound
Post by: truenorth on September 24, 2010, 04:14:20 PM

Given that you are SURE the sound is emanating from the power supply find a dark location (at night with no lights on in the room) and observe the power supply for a brief flashing blueish light. If detected it is most likely a short arcing in the PS. Another alternative might be a bearing starting to fail on the PSU fan. truenorth

Title: Re: pc won't turn on and power supply makes faint clicking sound
Post by: patio on September 24, 2010, 04:19:09 PM

Borrow a known good PSU of the same wattage or greater and swap it in there...

Title: Re: pc won't turn on and power supply makes faint clicking sound
Post by: sborgan on September 27, 2010, 02:59:57 PM

Thanks for your responses, I know the power supply is good, if use another power supply it does the same thing, faint clicking sound and the little green led on the back of the power supply flickers with the power supply.  I guess what i'm asking is has anybody out there had this issue before? I have unhooked everything from the board except for the cpu and when i plug the cord into the power supply I get the clicking sound. No lights, led's or anything just the clicking.

Title: Re: pc won't turn on and power supply makes faint clicking sound
Post by: truenorth on September 27, 2010, 04:14:30 PM

I have not had this particular occurrence. However the more i think of it the more it seems like a cycling attempt at powering up something that fails on a regular recurring frequency. What you then may be hearing is that "switch" cycling. It seems that the issue is being created by something (other than the PSU) within that particular case. Given the stripped down state you created it sure sounds as if it is either MOBO or CPU related. Does the power supply fan run during this occurrence at all ? truenorth

Title: Re: pc won't turn on and power supply makes faint clicking sound
Post by: patio on September 27, 2010, 04:19:36 PM

A "faint" clicking sound can also be the sign of a failing drive...
DLoad and run the Free diagnostics from the drive manuf. site...
Run the Long test.

Title: Re: pc won't turn on and power supply makes faint clicking sound
Post by: sborgan on September 28, 2010, 09:37:59 AM

WOW!!??? REALLY??!!! Sorry but apparently patio cannot read. Thanks truenorth for your input i've replaced the board again for the third time and that fixed it. Everything works as should.

Title: Re: pc won't turn on and power supply makes faint clicking sound
Post by: patio on September 28, 2010, 12:17:18 PM

Au' Contraire'

I can read.

Title: Re: pc won't turn on and power supply makes faint clicking sound
Post by: Salmon Trout on September 28, 2010, 12:34:14 PM

Quote from: patio on September 28, 2010, 12:17:18 PM

Au' Contraire'

I can read.

Mais tu ne sais pas écrire en français...