Problem with power on an old PC.

[cojak]

Mr C is having a problem on his old PC and wonders if the esteemed members of CUK can help?

The power supply on it is getting temperamental. If you unplug it, replug it and turn it on, nothing happens. But if you leave it alone for half and hour it turns on as if nothing has happened.

Also if you allow it to restart after a security upgrade it shuts down but doesn't restart. Leave it alone again and turn it on, again it starts as if nothing has happened.

He's researched on the web, and while it's a common occurrence there is no explanation for why it happens or a particular solution.

He think's it's a capacitor issue, but can't find any more info.

Has anyone come across this before?

[cojak]

Bugger, isn't it always the way? 2 seconds after posting this I googled and came up with this...

Capacitor plague - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Well at least the good news is that getting a new motherboard may fix this problem (he's ok with this, he just didn't want to throw good money after bad by not knowing the root cause of the problem).

Thanks chaps!

[Spacecadet]

Thanks chaps!

Don't mention it, the invoice is in the post

[escapeUK]

But surely putting a new motherboard into an old pc is going to be a big case of throwing money away.

Either buy a new computer, zoostorm £225 from ebuyer (No OS)

or if money is tight (which lets face it shouldnt be) buy a second hand Dell off ebay. I bought some really nice ones for clientco who wanted them in a very dirty factory environment for thicky workmen to use, so didnt want to spend any money. I think they were around £75.

[RSoles]

Of course, the bad cap problem might lie in the PSU.
I'd give that a swap first.

[cojak]

Of course, the bad cap problem might lie in the PSU.
I'd give that a swap first.

Thanks RSoles.

Mr C hates the idea of just throwing things away without 1st trying to fix them.

[garethevans1986]

Try a new PSU.

If that doesnt fix it. Use it to keep doors open in the Summer.

GE

[Platypus]

Why are you buying a new motherboard if the PSU is knackered? It's quite common for PSU to fail, I've replaced many in my time. You can buy a replacement for much cheapness. The connectors 'n' everything are all standard.

Buying a new MB will be a PITA because all the drivers in the Windows installation will now be wrong and personally I think you might be lucky to get it to boot. But you never know.

I'd try a new PSU first and send back the MB if it works.


(thinks, "the engine in my car is knackered so I'll replace all the wheels and see if that fixes it" ... )

[cojak]

Why are you buying a new motherboard if the PSU is knackered? It's quite common for PSU to fail, I've replaced many in my time. You can buy a replacement for much cheapness. The connectors 'n' everything are all standard.

Buying a new MB will be a PITA because all the drivers in the Windows installation will now be wrong and personally I think you might be lucky to get it to boot. But you never know.

I'd try a new PSU first and send back the MB if it works.


(thinks, "the engine in my car is knackered so I'll replace all the wheels and see if that fixes it" ... )

I'm asking for Mr C, he told me that he won't touch the motherboard until he's checked everything else (he wants to change that from 32 to 64 bit), but he doesn't know if the PSU is knackered, it's such a random fault he wants to know if anyone here has dealt with anything like this.

If I were him I'd rip out the innards of the damn thing and start again (no actually I'd just buy a new one) but that is not his way.