Cant Turn Computer On

Adware messed up my computer so much that it started turning off by itself. I was going to format my C: drive and re-install windows but the computer kept turning off while i was doing it, and each time i'd have to take out the power cable and put it back in to start it up again.

I got pissed off after a few tries and just left it, the next day I came back to try it again and now when i press the power button the computer wont even turn on. When i unplug the power cord and put it back in and press the power button i can see the fan just twitch once, only when i unplug the cord and put it back in do i see the fan twitch. So i guess there is some power getting to it, but i dont know what the problem is? I also unplugged my F: drive before.... it seems like that caused it to not turn on any more (i dunno how it would cause it) but it seemed like this happened right after i unplugged it. But I plugged it back in and it still wont turn on?




Do you guys have any ideas of what it could be? I dunno whats wrong with it... the power box maybe?

HELP ME OUT FELLOW AF COMMUNITY.. I got some goodies for christmas i want to install. And i hate this got damn old computer i have to use right now :(

I would say it sounds like the power supply unit thingy (same thing you're talking about). My PC wouldn't turn on once and it turned out the one that was in it had like fried itself somehow. Just tore it out, installed another (make sure it's same voltage / amps and all that crap) and it worked fine.

buy a new PS man. That's one of the most common problems with a computer. and when you are buying it, don't buy a light one. Buy a heavy one. this means the build quality is better, capacitors are larger and it has better heat sinks. If you've got the money and you really want a good one go with pcpowerandcooling

So are you guys sure that i fucked up the power supply? What a piece of junk... I thought maybe the connections werent good or something?

And any idea why it was turning off on me? I thought it was something to do with the adware? Maybe it was overheating or something

not sure, but that's usually the case. and it's not that you fucked it up. it's just that most PS's are piles of shit.

So are you guys sure that i fucked up the power supply? What a piece of junk... I thought maybe the connections werent good or something?

And any idea why it was turning off on me? I thought it was something to do with the adware? Maybe it was overheating or something

It's very common for the PC to act strange when the power supply is problematic. The PC shutting down spontaneously is nothing out of the ordinary when your power supply is going. If you have a PSU (power supply unit) tester, use it and see if everything's okay. If you don't, plug in a new PSU and see if the system runs (if you have a spare) or buy a new one.

My3rdskyline's right - Buy a PSU from PC Power and Cooling (http://pcpowerandcooling.com). They manufacture the best PSU's hands down. All my computers have their power supplies in them and I've never had problems with them. Most even have their own power filter/regulators built in to help prevent power spikes and surges on the steam. Just be sure you buy the PSU that fits your form factor (I'm assuming your board is ATX) and that it meets the wattage your system needs. They do have a selector there that can help you determine which PSU to get. And they also sell a PSU tester for around $15 or so (I bought mine there).

Question though - what are your PC specs? Is it a custom or pre-made (Gateway, HP, Compaq, etc.)? What processor? How many hard drives and what cards do you have installed? This will determine which PSU you get and how much wattage you need. If your PC is a pre-made by Compaq, HP, Dell, etc. you'll probably have to buy a new PSU from them. Those manufacturers have a proprietary case design that usually only their PSU's will fit properly.

As for you causing the issues - doubtful. Just a coincidence that your PSU kicked the bucket while having software issues.

Question though - what are your PC specs? Is it a custom or pre-made (Gateway, HP, Compaq, etc.)? What processor? How many hard drives and what cards do you have installed? This will determine which PSU you get and how much wattage you need. If your PC is a pre-made by Compaq, HP, Dell, etc. you'll probably have to buy a new PSU from them. Those manufacturers have a proprietary case design that usually only their PSU's will fit properly.

As for you causing the issues - doubtful. Just a coincidence that your PSU kicked the bucket while having software issues.

Thanks for the help guys

I have a custom AMD Athlon XP 2600+ with 768mb Ram, a 40 gig and 120 gig hard drive, CD-RW, DVD-RW and an nVidia GeForce4

And the PSU i had in it was 500w
what else do i have to look at when i get a new one... that its 500w and do amps or anything like that matter?

*edit*
would a 400 watt PSU be enough?

Thanks for the help guys

I have a custom AMD Athlon XP 2600+ with 768mb Ram, a 40 gig and 120 gig hard drive, CD-RW, DVD-RW and an nVidia GeForce4

And the PSU i had in it was 500w
what else do i have to look at when i get a new one... that its 500w and do amps or anything like that matter?

*edit*
would a 400 watt PSU be enough?

The PC's use power supplies that are rated in watts, so that's all you should really need to look at as far as power rating. I don't think the AMD uses any additional power connectors to the motherboard like the early P4's did, so you should be fine and we have the same video card, so no issues there.

My tower has as many devices as yours and I have the 425 watt supply. No issues at all. You really only need a 500+ watt supply for servers/dual CPU computers.

Here's what I would get if I were you:
$149.00 - Turbo Cool 425 ATX Deluxe (http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com/products/power_supplies/highperformance/turbocools/425/index.htm) - This is what my tower has.
$85.00 -Silencer 410 ATX (http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com/products/power_supplies/ultra_quiet/silencers/index.htm) - Runs quieter than the other one, but honestly the 425 I have isn't that loud. Too me anyway.

my power supply went out on my 1 month old gateway...it kept turning off for no apparent reason