help me out with my computer trauma
November 26, 2006 10:16 PM Subscribe
I'm having some gnar power related computer issues.
a couple of days ago my computer randomly turned off without shutting down while I was in the middle of doing something. I restarted it and it didn't even complete the booting process.
I would imagine that it's a power supply issue, but i'm not quite sure. there are some files that weren't backed up (silly me) that I must retrieve.
I'm wondering if it's a simple issue that can be fixed with an inexpensive new part or if I have to bring the hard drive into a computer shop to retrieve the data files.
thanks in advance for the help! it's greatly appreciated.
a couple of days ago my computer randomly turned off without shutting down while I was in the middle of doing something. I restarted it and it didn't even complete the booting process.
I would imagine that it's a power supply issue, but i'm not quite sure. there are some files that weren't backed up (silly me) that I must retrieve.
I'm wondering if it's a simple issue that can be fixed with an inexpensive new part or if I have to bring the hard drive into a computer shop to retrieve the data files.
thanks in advance for the help! it's greatly appreciated.
This could be a number of things, but when it happened to me, it ended up being bad capacitors. There was sort of a spate of these manufactured a few years back; if this is the cause (and it's fairly easy to tell by looking at the tops of the capacitors) you stand a decent chance of getting the manufacturer to replace the motherboard gratis.
Of course, if you're more worried about the data than the system, Niles's suggestion is the way to go.
posted by IshmaelGraves at 10:27 PM on November 26, 2006
Of course, if you're more worried about the data than the system, Niles's suggestion is the way to go.
posted by IshmaelGraves at 10:27 PM on November 26, 2006
Try plugging the power cord directly into the wall, rather than the power strip.
posted by GooseOnTheLoose at 11:39 PM on November 26, 2006
posted by GooseOnTheLoose at 11:39 PM on November 26, 2006
It is relatively easy to troubleshoot a computer, if you have the interest and a little experience upgrading (like adding a hard drive or an expansion card).
The basic steps are: take everything off the motherboard, then reattach the cpu/heatsink, a minimal quantity of ram, video and power supply. If it doesn't post, try testing the power supply on its own. If it posts, add a part, and try booting again. Either it just needed to be reassembled (probably), or you will soon figure out what part has stopped working.
it's fairly easy to tell by looking at the tops of the capacitors
It's normally fairly easy to tell :P
posted by Chuckles at 12:21 AM on November 27, 2006
The basic steps are: take everything off the motherboard, then reattach the cpu/heatsink, a minimal quantity of ram, video and power supply. If it doesn't post, try testing the power supply on its own. If it posts, add a part, and try booting again. Either it just needed to be reassembled (probably), or you will soon figure out what part has stopped working.
it's fairly easy to tell by looking at the tops of the capacitors
It's normally fairly easy to tell :P
posted by Chuckles at 12:21 AM on November 27, 2006
I had a case with similar symptoms that turned out to be related to overheating, not power supply problems.
Laptop or desktop? What make and model? How old is it? Still under warranty? If you wait for a few hours and try again, does the computer start?
posted by phoenixy at 12:32 AM on November 27, 2006
Laptop or desktop? What make and model? How old is it? Still under warranty? If you wait for a few hours and try again, does the computer start?
posted by phoenixy at 12:32 AM on November 27, 2006
Last time I had boot issues with my computer it turned out to be a bad power cord. The cord itself. Pissed me off - I swapped out parts for hours before realizing that the cord was faulty. If I hadn't tried moving the power supply into a different case just to see if it was OK I may never have realized it was the cord.
Simple to test, anyway. If that fails, try a different power supply if you happen to have one handy - just to see if the thing boots. If not, what was the last thing you added to the system? Did you add anything? If you have an underpowered supply you may just be maxing it out, and it is shutting off as a failsafe. As noted above many MBs have overheating failsafes as well. Check your fans for debris, make sure they spin up correctly.
If all else fails recover your files using an external USB case for your drive and then take the beast to a reputable local place to get a troubleshooting estimate. Best Buy, etc. will probably charge you $50 per hour plus parts, but you can probably do much better at a smaller computer store (so long as your machine is not still under warranty).
posted by caution live frogs at 6:31 AM on November 27, 2006
Simple to test, anyway. If that fails, try a different power supply if you happen to have one handy - just to see if the thing boots. If not, what was the last thing you added to the system? Did you add anything? If you have an underpowered supply you may just be maxing it out, and it is shutting off as a failsafe. As noted above many MBs have overheating failsafes as well. Check your fans for debris, make sure they spin up correctly.
If all else fails recover your files using an external USB case for your drive and then take the beast to a reputable local place to get a troubleshooting estimate. Best Buy, etc. will probably charge you $50 per hour plus parts, but you can probably do much better at a smaller computer store (so long as your machine is not still under warranty).
posted by caution live frogs at 6:31 AM on November 27, 2006
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posted by niles at 10:19 PM on November 26, 2006