Computer problems, can anyone help?

[ahappycamper]

I have a Dell Inspiron 530, Intel core 2 Quadwith windows vista home premium, my monitor is an Asus 24' hd. Recently I had a new wireless network installed for my flat. As my other flatmates are using the network I've had to keep it on 24/7. It's connected with an extension lead and I was turning my PC and monitor on and off by unplugging from this adapter (after properly shutting down). Not long after this I had some trouble starting my computer. It will start the fan but then turn off, start the fan again and then turn off again, then it starts up properly, but my monitor doesnt seem able to pick up the signal. I managed to get it working this morning through a stroke of luck but last night I tried again and again and could not get anywhere. I also got an electric shock while unplugging the computer from the extension lead, but I'm not sure if this is related. Do you know why it might be doing this?

Thanks

 

[BonsaiK]

Are you running the network from your computer power supply or an external power source? Because it sounds to me like your computer's power supply is struggling to keep up with the power load. You may want to exchange it for a beefier power supply with more watts and see how that goes. Changing power supplies in a PC is a pretty simple DIY operation and power supplies aren't hugely expensive either. Take out your existing PSU and see how many watts it is, then buy something newer and beefier, that'd be my first step.

Also, make sure there are no CD/DVD Roms in your computer when you start it up. That can drain startup power too and cause failed boots like what you're describing, because it costs a fair bit of wattage to spin up the drives as well as everything else all at once.

 

[mikecoulter]

Check your PSU, and get a new extension lead.

 

[Kaboose the Moose]

Are you running the network from your computer power supply or an external power source? Because it sounds to me like your computer's power supply is struggling to keep up with the power load. You may want to exchange it for a beefier power supply with more watts and see how that goes. Changing power supplies in a PC is a pretty simple DIY operation and power supplies aren't hugely expensive either. Take out your existing PSU and see how many watts it is, then buy something newer and beefier, that'd be my first step.

Also, make sure there are no CD/DVD Roms in your computer when you start it up. That can drain startup power too and cause failed boots like what you're describing, because it costs a fair bit of wattage to spin up the drives as well as everything else all at once.

Pretty much this. Also may I ask if the extension lead or your PSU is connected to a power board?. i.e - an 8 Way Power Board or something?. If it is, you could be overloading the power board's limit. Check the PSU wattage as suggested and also check if the power board you are using (if you are indeed using power boards) can handle the power supply from the wall sockets.

 

[JemJar]

Sounds EXACTLY like a PSU failure I had.

IF you're lucky you've not yet killed anything but my advice is not to risk trying to boot it up again until you've bought a fitted a new PSU. Either loss of power or damage to the graphics card is why you're not getting any visuals.

Would I be right in guessing that the number of times you've had to turn it on to get more than just the fan turning has increased and continues to increase? And that perhaps immediately after plugging in it responds much slower than if you were to leave it plugged in after a shutdown and then turn it on again?

I had all that and fried my motherboard, processor and graphics card in the end. Good luck.

 

[jasoncyrus]

You've probably toasted your PSU, maybe even partially toasted your mobo. Since it properly booted up once.

It also could be an overheating/dust problem if its in a confined/hot room, but its more likely a toasted psu.

Its best to get it fixed quickly because it could short out your whole rig if left for too long.

 

[iJosh]

Did you check the connection from the monitor to the tower?
Is it built in video? Did you check the peripheral card?
Did you check your power bar?

 

[ahappycamper]

Okay thanks so far for the help, just got back from my lectures. In anwser, the amount of times the fan turns on and off is consistent (3 including final startup) and is automatic. I also discovered that when i woke my computer up from sleep mode and turned the monitor back on (i turned it off to save more power) the monitor couldnt find andy vga signal so i had to turn it all off and on again. (im on the computer in question atm, i managed to get it back on).

I think that its a mix of imor problems. And I am in quite a wartm room (top floor in a terraced flat in a small room). This is pretty much exactly the extension lead I'm using http://www.elftone.com/ELFINT5/21274.gif , which is powering the wireless modem and cable adapter, the speakers and my monitor.

 

[Pacman_69_42]

yea sounds like a heating problem take it in to a professional get it serviced/fixed whatever u need to do if its under warranty so much the better u really shouldn't leave it on 24/7 that's not good for a pc