[TheRowan]

Hi,
My pc has just started to refuse to boot up after I switch it off. I press the start button and it begins to boot then stops - nothing happens, the green power light is on, but no activity. Sometimes I can unplug the power pack and try again and it works (like now). Whilst I was wondering what was up, I inserted a cd to back-up my precious files...as the tray closed the pc switched itself off. When I tried to boot up I got a message asking me to insert a boot disk & press "a key" and had to disconnect it from the power supply. I'm thinking the problem is with the cd/dvd drive "DVD-RAM Drive D" which is named as the first call in the boot sequence...I cannot guarantee to get into the BIOS to change the sequence and wondered if there was another way?
I would be grateful for any input and help you have to offer, thanks

Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.2
OS Version: Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Service Pack 3, 32 bit
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+, x86 Family 15 Model 107 Stepping 2
Processor Count: 2
RAM: 1791 Mb
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7050 PV / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 512 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 305234 MB, Free - 269685 MB;
Motherboard: ECS, GeForce7050M-M
Antivirus: Kaspersky Internet Security, Updated: Yes, On-Demand Scanner: Enabled

[black-wolf]

Sounds like a failing PSU. Do you have another one that you can use to test with?

[TheRowan]

Thanks for the advice, but would a failing PSU cause the system to crash when I insert a cd or attempt to power up?

[black-wolf]

Yes it could.

[TheRowan]

Oh dear, so I'll have to replace the PSU...
This is not a gaming computer - I mainly use it for wordprocessing, some photo editing, listening to music, etc. I imagine the current power unit is not a very expensive one (pc was built for me by a small local company) and wonder if you could advise on a reliable make/model that won't break the bank? And, as I have no experience of tinkering inside the tower, how to go about fitting the replacement.
As an aside, I've been too scared to close it down and the pc has been running for 36 hours - should I switch it off in case the ailing power unit blows, or worse?
Thanks again for your help

[black-wolf]

This should work for that rig http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139026

[dai]

would prefer to see a 550w or better in it

corsir hx tx ax models only
seasonic
xfx

[jamesx121]

as far as replacing the PSU.
just take your time . remove the new PSU from the box.
as a beginner you will notice the psu cables have different style connectors on them.
start with your peripherals first. after unplug computer from the wall find your harddrive
it will have a data cable to motherboard and one of the psu cables will run to it.
same psu cable might also run to your DVD/CD drive (which also has a data cable) .
once you see which type of connector is used take a piece of tape and write HH & DVD drive
on it.
find the same style cable / connectors on the new psu and place the tape on the new psu cable.
now remove the old psu cable from the harddrive and dvd/cd drive.
same old psu cable might be hooked up to the case fans as well.
newer builds have case fans hooked up to the motherboard.
if case fans are hooked to psu cable this connector is called molex
you will have more of these style connectors than any other.
go ahead and unhook case fans if hooked to psu cable
some psu cables come marked from the factory on what each connector plug is for.
my thermaltake did not.
find the psu cable that goes to the cpu power port. should be right next to the cpu
be very careful and pull this connector loose from the motherboard.
find the connector on the new psu cable that looks exactly like it.
mark with tape- CPU power.
next is the trickiest part. the motherboard power cable connector from what I have seen does not want to come out
very easy. it has a safety clip on one side of it. this is the biggest connector and the psu should
only have one. might have to use a flat screw driver to very gently hold out the clip so connector
will slide out of motherboard.
okay so should now have all the old psu connectors unhooked from system
might have to lay up over the top of case to have out of your way.
that leaves the 4 mounting screws holding psu to back of case.
do not let psu fall down in case (if top mounted) when removing screws.
when removing psu unscrew the 4 screws last

with new psu cable connectors marked / labeled
place new psu in slot and screw the 4 screws back in first.
should have new screws in box but if not you still have old screws.
here is hook up order.
1st hook up cable connector next to cpu (cpu power).
2nd hook up cable connector to motherboard power.
3rd this is where each build is different.
is new psu modular?? how many cables come out of new psu.
does it have a cable just for sata style hardrives???
continued????

[jamesx121]

:I need more information???
you didn't say if your harddrive is sata or ide????
do you have more than one harddrive (raid setup)
is your dvd/cd drive sata or ide???
the graphics card you listed is a chipset according to google.

so I don't know if your graphics card has a separate psu cable hooked to it???
pci-e2.0 and above do.
but anyway
hook up harddrive and dvd/cd drive next.
if more than one cable with sata connectors-- put your harddrive on one cable
and the dvd/cd drive on the other cable.
if sata drive style--use sata connectors on the psu cable.
if not (ide drive style)then they will take a molex connector.
very carefully the slot for sata power on the back of a sata style harddrive and dvd/cd drive
are easy to break.
if your Nvidia/Radeon card needs a psu cable hook it up now.
only one connector style will fit graphics cards.
that leaves case fans and any other secondary pieces that need a molex hook up.
as you have probably noticed you have a lot of cable.
look up something called psu cable management in google.
maybe give you ideas --plus
if psu is not modular and your drives are ide style than you will have to figure out how you want to run
the molex cable connectors between multiple devices in a chain.

my post is real long
try this first
if you have DSL or Broadband Internet look up computer building and PSU installing/ remove
on youtube.
it seems all the manufactures are putting how to videos now on Youtube.
from ASUS (motherboards)
Antec (computer cases)
to Zalman (cpu cooler / heatsinks)

[TheRowan]

[QUOTE=jamesx121;8477335]:I need more information???
you didn't say if your harddrive is sata or ide????
do you have more than one harddrive (raid setup)
is your dvd/cd drive sata or ide???
the graphics card you listed is a chipset according to google.

Hard drive is ide and so is dvd/cd
Only one hard drive
Think it's an onboard graphics card

James, you have put in a lot of time on my behalf - thank you, it's appreciated
I've made a copy of your insructions, daunting though they may be...
I'll have a look at the YouTube link later

I was thinking of buying one of these:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...odid=CA-022-CS
There are others to choose from but out of stock.

[dai]

good choice

[black-wolf]

That is a very good PSU.

[jamesx121]

okay since your harddrive and dvd/cd drive are ide
they will each have a wide flat ribbon style data cable
they will both hook up with the molex connectors on the psu cable
since you have ide drives
I bet your case fans also hook up the molex connectors from the psu cables

the psu you linked 2
I would leave the Sata power cables in the box since you don't need them

[crjdriver]

While I agree that it is most likely a failing pw supply, I would also give the mb a very close inspection with a bright light. Look for any capacitors that look like the pics below. That mb is at least 3 generations old and it is an ecs board as well [ecs is not noted for being a quality board maker]

In addition to watching a video on swapping pw supplies, you should also take some pictures of the inside of the case before you begin. This way if you have a question regarding routing of leads, you can refer to the pic.