HELP! PC works here but not there ... electrical problem?

paulspencer · 28th August 2009, 08:26 AM

A friend has a dilemma. PC sometimes won't boot up. It just beeps and beeps. I think the problem is with the electrical cables in the unit which is fairly old (they still have fuses not breakers). The PC was working fine, but suddenly it wouldn't boot up and this problem is intermittent.

The PC works fine both of 2 other houses where it was tested
Another PC in another room in the house works fine
When PC isn't working, TV and other electrical items seem to work fine
PC has been realiable and without any issues previously
Electrician didn't find any problems BUT he came when the PC was working normally! He thinks the line is probably dirty
A different PC in a different room works without problems, but on the first instance that PC in question wouldn't boot, this second PC also wouldn't boot.

Does anyone have any suggestions or insight?

Is it possible that there could be an intermittent issue like incorrect voltage that might affect a PC but not other appliances?

star882 · 28th August 2009, 02:42 PM

Check for bad capacitors. They might be marginal to the point where it doesn't work at low line voltage.

EBM_dude · 28th August 2009, 02:56 PM

I suspect a bad PSU too. Check those PSU's caps IMMEDIATELY! I had intermittend problems with a PC until I replaced the PSU. It's caps were all bloated. Luckily I caught it in time as it was starting to put out much higher voltages...

paulspencer · 28th August 2009, 02:58 PM

Well, I've built an amplifier power supply before, but how do I test the PC power supply?

EBM_dude · 28th August 2009, 03:02 PM

Just watch all the voltages under load. Most BIOSes allow to view the values under "Hardware Config" or something like that. Also, pop up that PSU and take a look at the caps. Please be careful, the line caps can hold up to 400V for a rather ling time!

PB2 · 31st August 2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulspencer

Well, I've built an amplifier power supply before, but how do I test the PC power supply?

I agree with Star.

Check the caps around the processor on the motherboard for leaking out the tops. See bad caps here:
http://www.badcaps.net/

I'd just replace the power supply if it is more than 5 or 10 years old, if you've checked everything else.

Hard drive could be marginal also, download low level diagnostics and run a surface test, or try Spinrite.

Pete B.

28th August 2009, 08:26 AM	#1
paulspencer diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Melbourne, Australia	HELP! PC works here but not there ... electrical problem? A friend has a dilemma. PC sometimes won't boot up. It just beeps and beeps. I think the problem is with the electrical cables in the unit which is fairly old (they still have fuses not breakers). The PC was working fine, but suddenly it wouldn't boot up and this problem is intermittent. The PC works fine both of 2 other houses where it was tested Another PC in another room in the house works fine When PC isn't working, TV and other electrical items seem to work fine PC has been realiable and without any issues previously Electrician didn't find any problems BUT he came when the PC was working normally! He thinks the line is probably dirty A different PC in a different room works without problems, but on the first instance that PC in question wouldn't boot, this second PC also wouldn't boot. Does anyone have any suggestions or insight? Is it possible that there could be an intermittent issue like incorrect voltage that might affect a PC but not other appliances? __________________ Audio blog \| Now selling: DIY Vifa Transmission Line speakers My work: www.redspade.com.au Creative Web Design studio

28th August 2009, 02:42 PM	#2
star882 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	Check for bad capacitors. They might be marginal to the point where it doesn't work at low line voltage. __________________ Get OpenOffice.org!

28th August 2009, 02:58 PM	#4
paulspencer diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Melbourne, Australia	Well, I've built an amplifier power supply before, but how do I test the PC power supply? __________________ Audio blog \| Now selling: DIY Vifa Transmission Line speakers My work: www.redspade.com.au Creative Web Design studio

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28th August 2009, 02:56 PM	#3
EBM_dude diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Germany	I suspect a bad PSU too. Check those PSU's caps IMMEDIATELY! I had intermittend problems with a PC until I replaced the PSU. It's caps were all bloated. Luckily I caught it in time as it was starting to put out much higher voltages...

28th August 2009, 03:02 PM	#5
EBM_dude diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Germany	Just watch all the voltages under load. Most BIOSes allow to view the values under "Hardware Config" or something like that. Also, pop up that PSU and take a look at the caps. Please be careful, the line caps can hold up to 400V for a rather ling time!

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