Right so I was casually browsing Redtube and my computer just turned off. It made the sound it makes when it switches of after a windows shutdown, only it isn't starting up. The powerlight comes on, but the nothing is powering up.

Anyone any idea what it might be? Motherboard, power supply?

Any ideas would be great, thanks.

 

Perhaps it's a feature installed by your girlfriend? Didn't she forbid you to watch porn?

It could be everything - bios, hardware, even keyboard, monitor, or usb devices, if one of them causes a short circuit.

I would start with removing every external device, even monitor, and check what happens.

 

I sort of assumed it would be the power supply because its had four in four years. I'm hoping its quite serious so it gives me an excuse to get a new build.

Should find out what it is today or tomorrow, my dad insisted on taking it to be looked at lest I 'fuck it up' anymore. But thanks anyway guys. I'll keep you posted on the damage. I'll come here for advice on a new build if it needs it.

EDIT: Just to let you guys know, it was the power supply...again.

Also bought some RAM, Two 512 sticks, so I now have four of them, but they add up when on memory counter when you switch on. It only counts to just over 1 gig. Any ideas. I'm pretty sure I put them in right.

 

Has the motherboard, etc been the same throughout these four years? That's a pretty high failure rate IMO - I'd suspect an electrical issue that manifests over time, perhaps.

Re the memory -

I know some older computers had trouble counting up RAM with fully populated slots but yours is reasonably new, I would guess - honestly? My first thought would be to make sure the modules are all securely pressed into their slots. I remember once I was fretting about why a computer didn't seem to detect the memory I put in, until I realized I had not quite pushed the module all the way into the socket.

Another thing to check would be to see if the new ones you bought work fine on their own in your computer. Perhaps a dodgy stick? I had a case where a dodgy stick ended up nearly taking down my entire computer, until I was able to force it to boot back up with a stick of cheap low-grade RAM with a slow speed rating.

 

Four in four years? Even if you were buying the cheapest, no name, dodgy power supplies ever that is still a ridiculously high failure rate. If your PSUs have been a decent quality, then there are two suspects: dust and power quality.

If your PSU is caked internally with dust, that can cause all kinds of shit. It's double worse if anyone smokes near the PC when it's on.

If your power isn't clean, that can also cause major issues and infact kill your entire computer, not just the PSU, though that's the first thing to be hit. Power that experiences occasional spikes (incandescent bulbs burn brighter) or drops (they dim) can really mess up your PC over time.

No powerboard can clean your power supply no matter what amazing claims they make or warranties they offer. The only way to clean 'dirty power' is with a power conditioner or a UPS. A power conditioner is essentially a large 1:1 transformer. It doesn't step up or step down. I assume you already know what a UPS is.

That last paragraph sounds like your situation. Read more here.

 

When I picked it up, I asked about the number of PSU's I've been getting through. He mentioned the room environment, too hot or too cold, leaving side panel off the case, and dust. All things I'm guilty of. No side panel cause I lost the screws and cant be bothered to get new ones, my room at home is sweat inducingly hot in the summer and ball shrivellingly cold in the winter as well as living in 4 uni accomodations which harbour dust, and freezing temperatures.

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated.

 

THe obvious answer: Dont browse Redtube. :awesome

 

Yeah, large ambient temperature differences can also play a role due to flexinng of the motherboard, etc over the course of time. The best way to deal with this is to increase airflow in the summer in particular. Attach an extra fan to your computer which you can fire up in summer, to blast extra air directly onto the motherboard. I find it helps especially with a totally open case.

If you can cool your room at all as well (perhaps a fan circulating air in the room, too?), that can also help.

Heat is the major enemy of semiconductor equipment, although electromechanical devices like hard drives can also be annoyed at it.