Computer won't turn on after Power Outage

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  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
       #1

    Computer won't turn on after Power Outage


    I was sitting at home enjoying myself one day and then I suddenly hear a thunderstorm outside. First the monitor flashes and seconds later everything in my room turns off and back on immediately, everything except my computer. The monitor and everything was working perfectly but the computer itself was showing no signs of power at all, no blinking lights/LEDs on the front, Back, inside the case, no fans spinning, no beeps, no nothing. I tried taking my PSU out to test it with the paper clip trick, but my DVD/CD Drive is preventing me from taking out the cords. What do I do?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 7,379
    Windows 7 ultimate x64
       #2

    Hi Jkillaz98, Welcome to Sevenforums

    Check if the PSU fan is moving at all or not, if not try to install a spare PSU (which is working) and check if motherboard is getting power or not. You can remove your DVD/CD drive and then take out the PSU.

    If the PSU is failing, you can always buy a new one. But, (may god forbids) your motherboard is fried......you can get that repaired as well...not to worry. But, first we need to find out what is causing the issue.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5,440
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #3

    Have you checked that you still have power to the socket where the PC is plugged in? If you have then have you checked that the fuse is OK?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5,440
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #4

    Sould have said in my earlier post NEVER poke around in a PSU even if it is disconnected from the power supply. The capacitors in a PSU can hold enough power to cause serious harm!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    archer said:
    Hi Jkillaz98, Welcome to Sevenforums

    Check if the PSU fan is moving at all or not, if not try to install a spare PSU (which is working) and check if motherboard is getting power or not. You can remove your DVD/CD drive and then take out the PSU.

    If the PSU is failing, you can always buy a new one. But, (may god forbids) your motherboard is fried......you can get that repaired as well...not to worry. But, first we need to find out what is causing the issue.
    the PSU fan isnt moving at all and the motherboard doesnt seem to be getting any power, there is absolutely no sign of power in the computer at all. sadly, i dont have a spare PSU to test it with, but i will try to remove the CD drive to test the PSU with the paperclip trick.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    mitchell65 said:
    Have you checked that you still have power to the socket where the PC is plugged in? If you have then have you checked that the fuse is OK?
    Yes, the socket was actually the first thing i checked. but i have no idea what a fuse is. ( i have very little knowledge about PCs )
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 9,746
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit sp1
       #7

    You have probably suffered a high voltage spike in the power line as a result of the lightning. Computers are sensitive to these are are most other electronic items like TV's. You will have to go through a process of elimination to find what has failed, or get someone to check your computer for damaged components that has the necessary test equipment.
    Having your computer plugged in to a surge protector will help with most power line surges, but it will not give protection in the case of a lightning strike on or near the power line. The only protection in that case is to have the computer completely unplugged from the power outlet.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 12,364
    8 Pro x64
       #8

    Jkillaz98 said:
    Yes, the socket was actually the first thing i checked. but i have no idea what a fuse is. ( i have very little knowledge about PCs )
    I believe the fuse was referring to the mains power panel. If the sockets good, then so is the fuse.

    There's no actual fuses in the PC per se.

    As mentioned above you'll have to do an elimination process. From the sounds of it, your Power Supply blew with the spike.

    If you don't have any spares or know anybody locally who does - it may be worthwhile taking it to a shop where they can test the components for you. Plus they can replace the PSU for you if you aren't comfortable doing it yourself.

    Otherwise you can buy a PSU and install it yourself. It may appear daunting, but it's actually quite easy.

    Quality power supplies with over voltage protection typically sacrifice themselves to avoid voltage spikes traveling through the rest of the PC thus preventing damage to other components like the motherboard.

    Lower quality PSU's that don't have, or have poor overvoltage protection sometimes 'allow' the excess current to travel through the PC damaging other components.

    Hopefully it's just the PSU.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 5,440
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #9

    Sorry I was forgetting the different electrical systems that there are in the world. Here in the UK we have square 3 pin plugs with removable fuses that are easily replaced. These fuse protect the cable (lead) that connects the wall socket to the appliance, in this case the PSU. In the UK the fuse would be the first thing to check if there appeared to be no power getting to the ppliance. So, Patrick, when you say:
    I believe the fuse was referring to the mains power panel. If the sockets good, then so is the fuse.
    that is not quite correct, The wall socket may be fine but the fuse in the plug could be blown.
    Don't know how the Australian or US systems works though. Be interested to hear!
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 5,440
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #10

    Jkillaz98 said:
    archer said:
    Hi Jkillaz98, Welcome to Sevenforums

    Check if the PSU fan is moving at all or not, if not try to install a spare PSU (which is working) and check if motherboard is getting power or not. You can remove your DVD/CD drive and then take out the PSU.

    If the PSU is failing, you can always buy a new one. But, (may god forbids) your motherboard is fried......you can get that repaired as well...not to worry. But, first we need to find out what is causing the issue.
    the PSU fan isnt moving at all and the motherboard doesnt seem to be getting any power, there is absolutely no sign of power in the computer at all. sadly, i dont have a spare PSU to test it with, but i will try to remove the CD drive to test the PSU with the paperclip trick.
    PLEASE read my post #4. Poking around the PSU is dangerous!!!
      My Computer


 
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