HP Desktop won’t power on

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I have an HP desktop that won’t even power up. This started after the power went out while it was on. We unplugged it before the power came on, but thereafter it’s been dead in the water. Any suggestions on what to look at for restoration, or does it go into the junk heap? (Um, yes, it was plugged into a surge protector at the time the power went out.)

Thanks.

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Does it do anything when you press the power button? Noise, beeps, LED lights (front or back) anything? If not could be a blown power supply. Course anything that can blow the PS could also fry other things.

edit: Rui makes a good point below. Some PS have a Ground Fault protection built in and either the reset button or power switch on the PS itself might fix the power problem.

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Hi figarsd,

Doesn’t necessarily mean that it goes to the junk heap. May be simply a PSU issue and a replacement PSU is rather cheap. I would probably suggest a visit to a local repairshop, unless you think you could replace the PSU yourself.

In previous circumstances where that happened to me, turning of the switch for the Power Supply Unit itself, turning it on again, and then turn the computer on again solved it. Not sure all PSUs have this though.

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It’s also possible that the surge protector was damaged.
Sometimes plugging the computer into a different outlet will do the trick. It’s worth a try(?).

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It’s also possible that the surge protector was damaged.
Sometimes plugging the computer into a different outlet will do the trick. It’s worth a try(?).

I would say definitely. Sometimes we do tend to forget the obvious solutions and yours looks like the first thing to be tried :).

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Thank y’all for the suggestions. The power switch does nothing. Pressing it results in zero response, not even a click. I have tried several different outlets, including ones I know are “hot” because the lamp plugged into it works. I will have to check out the power supply internally to see if there’s any switches inside…haven’t done that yet. Thanks again.

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Further update:

I’ve now checked the power supply for any kind of reset switch and no joy. It is a Bestec model ATX-250-12Z. Anyone have any idea how one can verify the status of a power supply without spending an arm and a leg for equipment?

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Bestec is probably the worlds worse PSU. A 250 is way too small for todays PC’s and can fail for any reason at all.
I’m surprised that a quality company like HP would use such a crappy supply. *see footnote

Just take it out, go to a store like Staples (you should have plenty of sources in Chicago) and buy an Antec Earthwatts 350 (or better) and install it in your PC.

Do check that surge suppressor. Some are known to have a fuse inside that will blow out if hit by too hard a surge.

Good Luck,
The Doctor

* Footnote:
Some time back, I cleaned out my junk box and trashed out 14 failed PSU’s. Twelve of the 14 were made by Bestec, and all failed with bursting and leaking filter capacitors. In one supply, a capacitor had actually exploded and was plastered all over the inside of the PSU case.

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Just curious – With power cord connected, do you see a small green light on the motherboard that turns off when power cord is disconnected?

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tfspry, I haven’t opened the box with the power on, not wanting to experience a shocking moment.

DrWho, thanks for the advice. May I ask how your TARDIS is doing these days? I hope none of those PSUs were attached to anything critical to the TARDIS function!

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