Email this page

If the computer is not receiving power, follow the steps listed below:

1. Unplug the computer. While it is unplugged, press the power button on the computer. Plug the computer in and try turning it on.

Note: Doing this is the same as unplugging the computer for 5 minutes.

2. If the computer was recently moved or the computer was taken out of the box with no power, open the computer and check the control panel connections to the case and the wires to the motherboard.

3. Verify that the power supply fan is spinning when the power is applied.

4. Verify that the voltage selection switch, located on the power supply, is set to the appropriate setting, which is 115 volts (V) for domestic use.

5. Eliminate extension cords, surge suppressors, and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) cords. Connect the computer directly to the electrical outlet.

6. Connect the computer to a different electrical outlet.

7. Verify that the power light is illuminated and that the hard disk and CD-ROM LEDs on the front bezel flash at the appropriate time.

8. Try a different power cord. On some computers, the power cord for the computer and the power cord for the monitor are interchangeable.

9. Turn off the computer. Disconnect all external devices, except the monitor. This includes the mouse and keyboard. Turn on the computer.

10. Turn off the computer. Remove the cover and search for any loose screws or connections. Press down firmly on all cards in the computer to ensure that they are seated properly. Press down firmly on both ends of all data cables in the computer and rock slightly to be sure of seating. Press down firmly on all memory cards in the computer, as well as the processor and cache.

11. Check the power switch for proper function.

12. Remove any newly added hardware.

13. Remove all peripheral device cards from the computer, except the video card and, if necessary, the hard disk controller card. Put them back into the computer one at a time, testing between each, to attempt to isolate the defective card.

14. If applicable, reseat the memory, the video card, and the hard disk controller card.

15. If possible, swap memory cards in the banks.

16. Reseat data cables to all drives and controllers at the same time, checking for bent or broken pins.

17. Verify that the pin 1 connection on both ends of all data cables is correct.

18. If applicable, remove cache.

19. Disconnect the power and data cables to the drives, one drive at a time, and test after removing each drive. Remember to reconfigure the jumpers and the BIOS Setup Utility prior to testing. Listen for the hard disk to spin up when the power is applied.

20. Remove the power connectors from the motherboard to see if the fan on the power supply spins. This step does not work on newer computers with an on/off switch connecting to the motherboard rather than the power supply.

21. Verify that the power connections to the motherboard are properly seated.

22. Verify that all motherboard jumpers and switches are correct.

23. If applicable, reseat the motherboard.

24. Try starting the computer without any peripheral device cards, including the video card, and listen for the hard disk spinning up when power is applied.

25. Disconnect all drive cables from the motherboard. Make a note of the connections in order to reconnect the cables appropriately after testing. Turn on the computer. If the computer starts, there may be a short in the case or a cable.