Computer Problem

Spike88 · 08-04-10, 06:01 PM

My sister in law has a an HP computer she spent about $1200 on last year. She bought it around July, so we're pretty sure the 1 year warranty is expired.

The issue with it is that when you hit the power button the light inside the power button turns on, and the power supplies fan starts to spin. The fan stops spinning and the light turns off. This process repeats endlessly until you pull out the power cable. When you plug the cord into the back a green light on the back will light up and stay lit until you unplug the cord.

I'm thinking the issue is that the power supply is faulty, but am unsure. Before I make her go out and buy a new power supply, I want to be sure this is the issue.

Arclight · 08-05-10, 04:41 AM

I'm thinking either RAM or CPU. Check to make sure they are properly seated. Maybe take them out, make sure there's no dust or something in the slots, and reseat.

Maybe check to make sure the motherboard isn't touching any metal, might be short-circuiting.

A $1200,- PC and you get 1 year warranty? Really?

Spike88 · 08-05-10, 10:41 AM

I'll try both of those.

And yeah, my laptop which was 1100ish when all said and done only has a 1 year limited warranty too.

Arclight · 08-05-10, 10:47 AM

Build them yourself.

2 years on my graphics card, rest is 3-5 years, lifetime for memory.

Herr-Berbunch · 08-05-10, 10:49 AM

I'd go for PSU, if it were CPU/RAM you'd at least get to the BIOS screens...

Ooh, just a thought - in a previous life I've been a domestic appliance engineer, best practice to change socket you're plugging into... you never know, it can be that easy!

Arclight · 08-05-10, 11:05 AM

Huh? No way you're getting into BIOS without a CPU or RAM, that's why I suggested it.

Spike88 · 08-05-10, 11:48 AM

Actually I don't know if the BIOS screen appears, the monitor was unplugged at the time. I remember she had problems earlier where the monitor would read: No Input, despite the computer being plugged in. I don't know if she ever got that fixed between here and there.

08-04-10, 06:01 PM	#1
Spike88 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 3,052 Downloads: 36 Uploads: 0	Computer Problem My sister in law has a an HP computer she spent about $1200 on last year. She bought it around July, so we're pretty sure the 1 year warranty is expired. The issue with it is that when you hit the power button the light inside the power button turns on, and the power supplies fan starts to spin. The fan stops spinning and the light turns off. This process repeats endlessly until you pull out the power cable. When you plug the cord into the back a green light on the back will light up and stay lit until you unplug the cord. I'm thinking the issue is that the power supply is faulty, but am unsure. Before I make her go out and buy a new power supply, I want to be sure this is the issue. __________________

08-05-10, 04:41 AM	#2
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	I'm thinking either RAM or CPU. Check to make sure they are properly seated. Maybe take them out, make sure there's no dust or something in the slots, and reseat. Maybe check to make sure the motherboard isn't touching any metal, might be short-circuiting. A $1200,- PC and you get 1 year warranty? Really? __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

08-05-10, 10:41 AM	#3
Spike88 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 3,052 Downloads: 36 Uploads: 0	I'll try both of those. And yeah, my laptop which was 1100ish when all said and done only has a 1 year limited warranty too. __________________

08-05-10, 10:47 AM	#4
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	Build them yourself. 2 years on my graphics card, rest is 3-5 years, lifetime for memory. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

08-05-10, 10:49 AM	#5
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	I'd go for PSU, if it were CPU/RAM you'd at least get to the BIOS screens... Ooh, just a thought - in a previous life I've been a domestic appliance engineer, best practice to change socket you're plugging into... you never know, it can be that easy! __________________

08-05-10, 11:05 AM	#6
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	Huh? No way you're getting into BIOS without a CPU or RAM, that's why I suggested it. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

08-05-10, 11:48 AM	#7
Spike88 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 3,052 Downloads: 36 Uploads: 0	Actually I don't know if the BIOS screen appears, the monitor was unplugged at the time. I remember she had problems earlier where the monitor would read: No Input, despite the computer being plugged in. I don't know if she ever got that fixed between here and there. __________________