Computer stopped working

[sprangsunt]

I'm trying to fix a relative's pc, but I don't have a lot of practical experience. When I try to turn it on, nothing happens. Not even the fans start spinning. When I tried running the gpu in a different system, the gpu didn't work. So my guess is that the psu bricked the whole computer, but I'm no sure. What do you think?

 

Specs:

Psu: Seasonic SS-1050XM Active PFC F3

Motherboard: Msi Z77 Mpower

Cpu: unsure

Gpu: Radeon 7950 HD

[Blasty Blosty]

Do you have a spare PSU to test with?

[Sawa Takahashi]

28 minutes ago, sprangsunt said:

So my guess is that the psu bricked the whole computer, but I'm no sure. What do you think?

The PSU is not always the culprit. A faulty power switch or simply a badly plugged cable would produce the same symptoms.

Did that computer suddenly stop working ? Was is put in storage for some time ? Did it have some issues before ? What is this computer used for ? Does this computer contains irreplaceable data that is not backed up ?

Thanks in advance. 

[Potatoes__]

1 hour ago, sprangsunt said:

the gpu didn't work

What exactly was happening with the other PC running this GPU? Like did it refuse to spin up completely like yours does or something else?

As a GPU-related troubleshooting step, try plugging the monitor into your MB video output. You are not sure which exact CPU you have but chances are it's an intel with an integrated GPU, and the mobo you listed seems to have an HDMI out. If it boots this way then maybe the dedicated GPU is indeed dead.

 

Also just in case make sure that the power cables are plugged in properly. The one that plugs in from the wall into your PSU, 24-pin power for mobo, 8-pin for the CPU, even the  power button cable.

[sprangsunt]

1 hour ago, Sawa Takahashi said:

The PSU is not always the culprit. A faulty power switch or simply a badly plugged cable would produce the same symptoms.

Did that computer suddenly stop working ? Was is put in storage for some time ? Did it have some issues before ? What is this computer used for ? Does this computer contains irreplaceable data that is not backed up ?

Thanks in advance. 

The computer was simply turned off, and didn't turn on again. It was used for basic desktop use. I already managed to salvage all the data from the hard drive.

[sprangsunt]

59 minutes ago, Potatoes2241 said:

What exactly was happening with the other PC running this GPU? Like did it refuse to spin up completely like yours does or something else?

As a GPU-related troubleshooting step, try plugging the monitor into your MB video output. You are not sure which exact CPU you have but chances are it's an intel with an integrated GPU, and the mobo you listed seems to have an HDMI out. If it boots this way then maybe the dedicated GPU is indeed dead.

 

Also just in case make sure that the power cables are plugged in properly. The one that plugs in from the wall into your PSU, 24-pin power for mobo, 8-pin for the CPU, even the  power button cable.

When put in the functional pc, the gpu didn't spin up and didn't display anything, but the rest of the computer worked. In the broken pc nothing spins up. I checked the psu cables already. I also tried the power button on the motherboard (which was lit up, as it should be) but the system didn't post and nothing spun up.

[Sawa Takahashi]

15 minutes ago, sprangsunt said:

The computer was simply turned off, and didn't turn on again. It was used for basic desktop use. I already managed to salvage all the data from the hard drive.

You get a chocolate chip cookie for backing up the data first. Most important step that many forget.

Since the GPU seems to be broken, I suspect that this is not the only issue that computer has.

Did you try reseating the memory modules ? If the computer has more than one, you can use only one. The only components you need for booting is PSU, Motherboard, CPU (with cooler) and RAM. Just remove all other components and see if the computer tries to boot at all.

Good luck !

[sprangsunt]

I started gradually removing components. I noticed that the computer is making a weird crackling like sound. I don't know if it's the psu or motherboard. When I switched off and on the psu when there was still power in the caps, the fans moved a little as I turned it on. What does that mean?

[Lurking]

At that age, it may be worth replacing the CMOS battery. 

 

Obviously double-checking all connectors are plugged in well. 

 

And there is a trick to turn on and test the PSU and measure voltages.

[sprangsunt]

1 minute ago, Lurking said:

At that age, it may be worth replacing the CMOS battery. 

 

Obviously double-checking all connectors are plugged in well. 

 

And there is a trick to turn on and test the PSU and measure voltages.

I tried replacing the cmos battery, I double checked the connectors and I don't have the equipment to measure the voltages.

[Lurking]

5 minutes ago, sprangsunt said:

I tried replacing the cmos battery, I double checked the connectors and I don't have the equipment to measure the voltages.

Buy the equipment. Or bring the PC to someone who ahs the equipment. 

 

Or find a different PSU that works and try that. 

 

what do you mean by "tried replacing". did you replace it, or just try and not succeed? 

[sprangsunt]

I did replace it