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My friend dennis sort of bought a new chassis, he is in texas whilst I am in california and so I cannot just make it work like I can normally..

anywho, he bought a new case, he's a total PC newbie really. but can possibly get it together with some help.. he put everthing in the case, halfassed I'm sure but he now says he hits the power button everything flicks on for a moment (fans etc) then turns back off, no beeps nothing..

I remember having a problem like this and it was a short on my mobo, but in this case, what should I tell him to check also? he says it does not have any shorts and he's quite distressed about it now.. any and all help would be nice..

thanks as always!

update: we now can get it to power on and stay on, however if the monitor is plugged in it does it still, the GPU itself may be plugged in, but if you plug the monitor in, it does it.. help?

Bump,

Please help!

does the board have a on board vid he can try?

Can be so many things causing this.

First I'd reseat the video card, ram and maybe even the cpu. Check all cable connections. Then try another video card. Try the ram in another slot (one stick) Double check the power and cable connections, if they are correct and all the way in.

Then, I'd take the mobo partially out, place something like card board or the static bag/foam under it (between it and the case) so no metal is touching it. Then try. This way just checks if anything is shorting it out.

Anything at all on the screen? Is it just some lights come on and the fans? That is if the above didn't help.


good luck we all know this sux as most of us have been there.

Working with a newbie and since you're not close to him to help in person, that can be a toughy.

Well, he says now it's whenever he turns the monitor on, the computer goes "no" and turns off.. the monitor can be plugged in and off, once it's turned on though, kaput..

he claims to have done all these things, any more ideas?

does he have another monitor to try?

Turning on the monitor causes the computer to turn off?!?! I have never heard of that. I'd say check the surge protector to make sure it's nothing with that. Is the monitor hooked up through a switched outlet on the power supply? May want to not do that if so.

He's now told me so many different things I dunno what the scoop is now.. so i have booked a flight to texas.. ha.

Is he sure the monitor IS causing the power offs?
Has he started the system and let it run for awhile without the monitor? Could it be he has a random shut down quickly after booting and just thinks it's monitor related?

Test: First I would disconect the monitor cable from the video card, but leave it pugged into the wall for power, turned off. Now boot the system and see if it runs for awhile or shuts down by itself in a few minutes anyway. If it runs about 5 minutes or so then I might think the system itself is ok, like power supply, Cpu, ram ect. Could be random heat, weak/hot power supply problem shutting him down and it takes a few seconds/minutes after booting to reach the shut down point? If this is the case, then maybe it's about as long as it takes for him to turn on the monitor?

1: If the system shuts down within a few minutes without the monitor, then he should unplug everything inside the case, try it with only CPU, Ram and fans of course, see if it boots and runs awhile.

2: If the system does run awhile as it is now, then turn the monitor on and see if it shuts down.

If the system does boot and run fine without the monitor connected to the video card, then turn on the monitor, just power it on without plugging it into the video card. If the sudden power surge of turning it on causes his system to shut down then it is a power problem NOT related to the PC! For instance my trailer house is wired badly, too much on one circuit, when the window air compressor kicks on I have 2 UPS systems that beep and kick back and forth from wall power to backup and back to wall power. That type problem I have here would certainly shut down a system!! I geuss my trailer was wired this way from the factory, I am re-wiring it now myself to fix this and various other problems, first year I used the window air in this room. He might have the same type problem to a lesser degree?
Perhaps the way he is plugged in is causing the same type problem just flipping on the monitor, from the sudden power draw?? Beleave it or not, I have seen people set up a system on one of those little cheap 6' extension cords. EVERYTHING including lights and a stereo on one cord!

Another thought that comes to mind, some Motherboards monitor the 3 pin header for the CPU fan.
If he does not have a fan connected to that header, then bios may be shutting him down when it loads thinking the cpu fan is not working. Another reason to boot without the monitor and let it sit and run.
If he is using a 4pin molex instead of that header, or a fan without the RPM wire then maybe bios loads and shuts him down just about the same time he is powering on the monitor? They make those 3 pin fans both RPM with 3 wires and without RPM and only 2 wires. So even if he has a 3 pin fan he should check if it's got 3 wires.

I hope you have AT&T unlimited long distance calling plan
I got it, and so far I love it! Cost about $33 with taxes and all, but it's worth it! For problems like this where people are long distance you can just sit on the phone while they try various stuff and don't have to worry about the bill!

I have saved this thread on my favoites list (so don't remove it for a bit admins!)

go over it again as I do it myself the 30th with me luck

I'll have him perform these tests and redo them again.. then I'll do them..


Thank you all for the basic help, I was hoping for an easy answer.. but ok!