System Dead !                  

Things to try if you turn on the pc's power and nothing happens i.e. power supply unit (PSU) fan not running , no sound , no display and no hard disk activity.

This assumes that  you have power  to your system.Try the following guideline checks (at your own risk ,the author will not be held responsible for damage caused).

Press the case power switch ,if the PSU fan does not starup then check

  1. Has the power switch lead fell off the motherboard connection in transit .refit if necessary.
  2. Check case switch by carefully removing connector from motherboard and shorting out the two pins on the board , the PSU fan should start-up if the switch was the problem.
  3. the system PSU will not start-up if there is a short on any drive in the system or if there is a problem with the motherboard. LEAVE motherboard power lead connected and disconnect all other drives and turn on.If the PSU fan starts then one of the drives you disconnected is at fault . Reconnect power to each drive in turn trying the system each time.This will pinpoint which component is at fault.
  4. If the PSU fan fails to start ,then the problem is either with the motherboard or the PSU itself.To check which it is ,there is a test lead available that plugs into the ATX motherboard supply lead which will allow the power supply unit fan to run and a led light on the test led to work if the PSU is O.k. when power is supplied to it..If the fan does not run and the led does not light then the PSU is at fault and should be replaced.
  5. If the PSU is proven to be o.k. then the problem is the motherboard either the board itself or something plugged into it.Disconnect all connectors from motherboard EXCEPT power supply lead and turn on case fan switch .remove all addin pci cards.See if the PSU fan starts now.If it does not start it is the motherboard or system memory.

Try a known good memory module.If it still doesn't work you need a new main board.(a good time to upgrade)

Please note that you MUST NOT  try to start-up a PSU without a motherboard or test lead connected to it !!

If you are not confident in the tasks listed then leave it to the expert !!

© Homepcnovice 2010 All rights Reserved.

Revised: July 07, 2008