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Dead PC - won't boot :-(

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Ian in Northampton

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Posted November 18, 2012 at 11:58AM

The electrician just did something that caused the PCs in the house to fall over. Most have come back, but my son's is as dead as a doornail - no sign of power to it. I'm guessing that there's nothing I can do as it's likely a power supply problem (or worse) - but I just thought I'd put out an urgent cry for help, just in case there's something simple/obvious that I'm overlooking, like a fuse... (Yes, I've tried different power cables and different sockets - still no joy).

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Ian in Northampton

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Posted November 18, 2012 at 1:39PM

Thanks Jock1e. Yeah, checked the circuits, the outlet, the extension cable. Everything else works - except the PC... Lotvic: nope, no nothing - not even the light on the motherboard.

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Conny

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Posted November 18, 2012 at 4:16PM

What did the electrician do to make them all 'fall over'? Was he PAT testing your appliances by any chance?

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lotvic

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Posted November 18, 2012 at 4:26PM

Just realised - Electrician? on a Sunday?

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Taff™

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Posted November 18, 2012 at 5:07PM

New PSU may be the answer but I would check it first with another second hand one. In my experience a massive PSU blow out might have wrecked the motherboard, RAM etc. It may of course be a total coincidence that the "electrician" caused it so don't blame him. (Particularly if the computer wasn't on a surge protector - which hasn't been mentioned so far as I am aware.

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Ian in Northampton

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Posted November 18, 2012 at 6:25PM

Thanks all again. Conny: no - LOL! He was wiring in a new electric shower. Lotvic: 'electrician' is only one of our builder's many 'talents'. He's running late with us on a job with a deadline of Tuesday, so decided he'd better work today. Taff: thanks - I think... :-( Fingers crossed it was the PSU - I really don't feel like affording more.

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onthelimit1

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Posted November 18, 2012 at 7:31PM

Easy enough to check - remove the main 20/24 plug and short out the green lead to any black. Simulates pressing the power button. Fan within the PSU should run. Not a 100% check, but should give you a clue.

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Ian in Northampton

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Posted November 18, 2012 at 7:56PM

Thanks otl1. It's late now, and I'm gonna bung it into our local (and very good) PC repair guy first thing tomorrow. I'll mark as 'solved' but will try and come back with an update.

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woodchip

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Posted November 18, 2012 at 10:23PM

If the Electrician used a Earth Leakage Tester on the House Wiring he may be responsible under is Insurance to pay for any Damage he caused/

One like this will put 500Volts though the wiring under test

Read Details of the tester

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Jock1e

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Posted November 18, 2012 at 11:35PM

When you had this problem was there any way you switched the off on button to off on the back of the computer before trying the second lead.

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Ian in Northampton

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Posted November 19, 2012 at 10:52AM

Thanks guys. woodchip: I don't know what he did, but it definitely wasn't that.

Jock1e: good thought - but no, I checked and re-checked the switch on the back.

It's in the repair shop now, and I'm nervously awaiting the call...

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