so our power went out on saturday and since then my computer has been off and won't turn back on. it's plugged into the same power strip/surge protector as my printer, monitor and speakers and they all work. i have tried plugging it into different outlets, but nothing happens. i opened the side panel to see if there was any kind of reset button or a fuse but i really have no idea what to look for. does anyone know what else i can do?

2/12/2007 5:51:07 PM

did you plug into the same outlets on the power surge protector or into other sources? Does those outlets work for other devices correctly?

2/12/2007 5:53:24 PM

i plugged both the monitor cord and computer cord into different outlets (on the wall) and the monitor still worked. i also tried plugging them into different outlets on the power strip and the computer still doesn't work, but everything else does.

2/12/2007 5:56:24 PM

sounds like the power event tripped an internal breaker or blew a fuse, or perhaps a fusible resistor.

thats my guess from 3000 miles away.

its probably an easy fix. you just gotta find the part.

get a voltmeter and start tracing.

2/12/2007 6:02:43 PM

its probably an easy fix. you just gotta find the part.

2/12/2007 6:15:25 PM

should i take it in somewhere? i don't know anything about computer parts

2/12/2007 6:16:51 PM

if you dont know how to troubleshoot the power supply with a voltmeter...

then yeah, take it in somewhere.

you might want to ask around for a good service place for cost and speed. it should be an easy fix, but that wont stop some places from raping you on price. or sitting around for a week before they "get to it"

or just get a n3rd friend to come do it.

or make a new n3rd friend. there are a few here, i reckon

2/12/2007 6:27:53 PM

what kind of computer (make/model) is it. they might have a users manual online showing where a breaker or fuse is.

my computer has a circuit breaker on the back panel, a little switch right underneath the power socket. every computer is different, but yours may have a switch like that somewhere around the vicinity of where the power cord plugs in. check the exterior whereever the plug goes in, and on the inside. there may also be a fuse. it may look like those standard "buss" type fuses: cylindrical with clear glass and metal ends.... a thin metal filament will be visible if the fuse is good. the filiament will be broken, exploded, or just plain missing if it is blown. the fuse may be "inline" in a plastic housing, or mounted on the board, or in a number of places i suppose. you just have to follow the wiring from the power cord all the way to the transformer (a largeish "box" looking thing)

I'm just kind of grasping here. there might be other types of fuses and/or fusible resistors, but I can't begin to guess where those might be






[Edited on February 12, 2007 at 6:51 PM. Reason : ]

2/12/2007 6:33:09 PM

it's an HP pavillion a500n. there is a red switch under the monitor cord that says 115 then when it's switched it's 230 or so but that did nothing. would anyone wanna come over and check it out? i'll throw you $10 just to check it out and tell me exactly what i need to do (granted that fixes it).

2/13/2007 8:24:53 PM

Quote :

"there is a red switch under the monitor cord that says 115 then when it's switched it's 230 or so but that did nothing."

lol

2/13/2007 8:28:53 PM

well i told you i know nothing about computer parts

2/13/2007 9:00:15 PM

hint: that switch with the 115/230 setting

it is the voltage of the power coming into the supply

in the usa, we use ~ 120 VAC

2/13/2007 10:02:50 PM

Uh make sure it's on 110. Setting it to 220 = kiss your computer goodbye.

Look on your motherboard when it's plugged in and see if there's a light. You might see one you might not. If you DO, it means your mobo is getting power. Most probably it's your power supply or your motherboard. Not to sound mean but don't mess with either. You really don't know what you're doing.

If you're in Raleigh call Mitsuba 829-0294. He'll find what's wrong in a couple hours and let you know. He's right near blue ridge cinema off of Blue Ridge rd.

Feel free to PM me or aim if for more info.

2/14/2007 7:20:43 AM

Jen dont worry about the voltage switch,

putting 115V into the power transformer when switched to 230V, will just undervoltage it. and so it will not work. it wont fry it.

(putting 230V when switched to 115 would fry it. but you wont have the capability to do that)

2/14/2007 12:21:38 PM