Computer Failure - I need advice

[JudgeDredd]

Yes PC speaker is connected and worked in the past.

Brought it into work so update.

I took the MB out the case and sat it on a cardboard box. There is NOTHING on the motherboard except the CPU. I've connected the PC speaker and the Power switch. All memory is out. No graphics card or sound card...so I'm down to the bare minimum.

Plugged the power supply into the motherboard (and the ATX? power the 4 pin connector to the MB...they come with so many power outlets now!)
Switched on....nothing
Left the office
Went back about 10 minutes later and it's powered up

I'm leaning towards power supply. But it appears, at the moment, that my computer (2 years old) is far superior to anything we have at work!! as I'm not sure we have one with all the necessary connectors.

[JudgeDredd]

Well what do you know.

Just went back in and switched it on. It came on right away but beeping for memory not being in.
Switched it off, put memory in and switched it on and beeping because graphics card wasn't present.
Switched it off, put graphics card in and switched it on and I got the normal POST beep.

I can't see if I can get graphics output because my card is DVI only and the only monitors we have here are normal VGA. But from hearing the boot up sequence, I definitely got the POST beep, so everything seems OK.

Going on what I've said so far, is anyone in agreement that it seems the power supply is on it's way out?

One other thing I noticed...the power supply fans (the one IN the case at the bottom of the CPU to suck hot air away from the MB) and the one at the back which blows hot air out...neither of them are spinning. I was pretty sure they were both required to be spinning...regardless of temperature?

[Marauders]

One other thing I noticed...the power supply fans (the one IN the case at the bottom of the CPU to suck hot air away from the MB)

 
The CPU fan?
 

and the one at the back which blows hot air out...neither of them are spinning. I was pretty sure they were both required to be spinning...regardless of temperature?

 
Is this in the power supply or is it a case fan?
 
The CPU fan and power supply fan are critical. 

[JudgeDredd]

The CPU fan is spinning, as are the case fans...the PSU fan is not. Although it does have a sticker on it saying Temperature controlled.....but I thought it was always spinning, but just sped up and slowed down as the case temperature rise and fell.

[cdbeck]

Do PS have a "safety measure" to not switch on if the PS fans have stopped? This might make sense, as an overheating PS could theoretically create a good bit of damage to the system.

JD, after the 10 minutes pass and the computer boots on, are the PS fans spinning then? I'm wondering if the ball bearing in the PS fans might have gotten dirty or off center, meaning that the engine is exerting pressure to turn but the fan is only turning intermittently. If it has a system shut off mechanism to prevent overheating, then that would account for why it won't turn on until the PS fan starts turning and will kick off if the PS fan gets stuck again.

Just a thought, again, replacing a PS fan is FAR cheaper than the PS, like $5 vs. $60-80.

SoM

[SemperAugustus]

I guess no one has messed with the voltage settings... Have you checked the PSU fuses?

Another option, maybe radical, would be to contact the PSU manufacturer and see how the fans are supposed to work.

[JudgeDredd]

ORIGINAL: Son_of_Montfort

Do PS have a "safety measure" to not switch on if the PS fans have stopped? This might make sense, as an overheating PS could theoretically create a good bit of damage to the system.

JD, after the 10 minutes pass and the computer boots on, are the PS fans spinning then? I'm wondering if the ball bearing in the PS fans might have gotten dirty or off center, meaning that the engine is exerting pressure to turn but the fan is only turning intermittently. If it has a system shut off mechanism to prevent overheating, then that would account for why it won't turn on until the PS fan starts turning and will kick off if the PS fan gets stuck again.

Just a thought, again, replacing a PS fan is FAR cheaper than the PS, like $5 vs. $60-80.

SoM

When the system booted up and was working, the fans were spinning...but not since I had the computer at work this morning.

Anyway...UPDATE
Right. I decided in my wisdom it was the power supply (after reading peoples thoughts and what I saw this morning at work trying to debug it).

So I've bought a new power supply An Artic 650W. £70. Looks very well thought out. It doesn't have one big cable with lots of "branches" where half won't be used. It has "sockets" on the back of the supply and you plug in the cables you require.

Fitted it and the machine is working...thanks for all your help.

BUT

I have a new issue...the keyboard does not want to work "all the time". By this I mean...
I have the BIOS setup so if I hit a key, the machine powers up...and this it does
However, when I get to the login screen, I cannot type anything in the password box.
HOWEVER, if I boot in safe mode and log in as me, I CAN type in the password!

Now I logged in as me in safe mode and removed my password just so I can get onto the system and this is fine, but I CANNOT use the keyboard.

I've checked the BIOS for some setting causing an issue, and I can't see anything mentioning PS2 (my keyboard type)
I've installed the drivers for my keyboard in safe mode.
So the keyboard works in safe mode, but not in normal boot up mode.

Any ideas please?

Once again, thanks for all your input and a special thx to the people mentioning power supply. I suspected motherboard, b

[Joram]

Don't know if this will work but it couldn't hurt.  Some bios have a switch on keyboard control between bios and OS.  Try switching it if it gives you the option.

[JudgeDredd]

Sorry...forgot to update this one (I was asking for help at The Wargamer also)...the keyboard issue is fixed. Apparently my install of the drivers for the keyboard wasn't "complete". Installed under my own login, rebooted and all was well.

Thx for your help. My gaming PC is revived (thank god...marriage saved!)

[cdbeck]

Congrats! Nothing more frustrating than computer problems. They ALWAYS occur at a bad time. Last time I had issues was the morning I had my PhD comprehensive exams. Yuck!