Fix A Computer That Wont Turn On

Do you have a computer that wont turn on? Well sometimes there's an easy solution. In this video I'll show you the common troubleshooting steps to find out why your system isn't turning on.

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#Computer #Hardware #Tech

[Thurgosh_OG]

I would always advise removing and reseating the RAM (one at a time) before the Processor, as it does seem to be a more common issue but other than that, these steps should work for the majority of cases. Also for users, uncomfortable in shorting the power pins with a screwdriver, you can very cheaply buy a pre-wired button for that purpose, which you slot onto the power pins. I use them on my test bench for ease.

[UCAJqoNBQLFiaAhhsX-A]

I know it's for full tutorial, but personally recommand check memory before CPU, because the probability of memory not installed properly is greater than CPU.

[jeremey]

Reseating the memory is usually the first thing I try, 80% of the time that’s it! Great video

[Mr_Mumm]

While I agree with most of what you say here there are a couple of things missing.

1. ESD can damage things and a should not be taken for granted. I saw no mention of this in the entire video. Its the tech's responsibility to not cause more damage and is sloppy work to disregard.
2. I always check the PSU 1st and verify you have good power before anything else. Everything starts at the PSU. PSU testers are cheap and easy to use.
3. Re-seat RAM before the CPU. If you have a bad RAM module why break the thermal compound.
4. Plug in a cheap motherboard speaker on the speaker header for beep codes. These codes can tell you what to look for.

Other than that I thought this was a great video!

[LouiseQuoVadis]

I am a 70 year old lady and an amateur troubleshooter. I have always loved figuring out how things work. My 7-year-old computer would start but would not continue booting. I experimented a lot, but I never felt comfortable tampering with the computer's internal components. So I finally gave up and bought a new computer. I hate it doing that. I learned a lot from this video, so thank you for sharing. I am stubborn, and I hate giving up when I am troubleshooting. Chances are that I am going to happen the computer and fiddle with it again. So thank you.

[mqcapps]

Don't forget to get those 10 for $1 button speakers so you can HEAR the post beep signals.

[TheWolfster]

I completely agree 100% on how you did it.
To many people, pro's & beginners rush through building their computer, I always test every component, even if I know it is good.. your tip on powering off (or/an unplugging) then purge the system of possible stored power in the capacitors, is something I have done and highly recommend you always do, when you have to service your system or just check for issues.. Being that we both repair & build computers for clients, we should have a test rig or two, to test any suspicious parts (or Hardware) Also a tip, always purge your system when reaching inside or touching anything, that can short out and damage the system, I try to always wear gloves when touching anything inside a customers system...
Thank you for sharing..

[michaels]

I'm not a tech, but every time I've had one not boot after running was because of a bad power supply. Swapped out the power supply and it booted. Thanks for the clip.

[aledwidge]

Great video. Can you do a video on troubleshooting a PC that randomly shuts down?
I have had this issue for over six months, and I am not able to figure out why.

[DragonKingGaav]

WOW! You are actually covering hardware and not just Windows?!?!?!? I dig it!!!!

[Overbuilt.Gaming]

Your order of operations is wrong. The correct order is bios reset -> memory modules -> video card. Lastly you could reseat the CPU but I've never had it work, and for those that did you likely installed it wrong to begin with. Once it's clamped down it's not going to be moving around so it's pointless to try that.

[bbo]

Great tips. I will never replace a CMOS battery again without first draining the power to the computer. 😀

[ZenThruAnger]

Thanks for the systematic instructional demonstration. Very detailed and easy to follow. I got a troubled child of a computer right now, so I will do these to isolate my problem. Thanks.

[mjc]

One thing I would recommend starting with: have a PC speaker plugged in. See if you get any beep codes.

I had a coworker once, just built a new PC, but couldn't get it to post. They had a speaker so I had them plug it in and try to boot the computer again. It gave a single beep. That usually indicates a successful post, so I started checking how all the cables were plugged into the computer. Turns out they had hooked the monitor up to the motherboard but the CPU had no integrated graphics, so they would never have gotten a picture that way. Plugged into the graphics card and it works just fine.

Also I'm gonna agree from the Gamers Nexus rant from last year about motherboards should all have 7 segment displays for error checking. It shouldn't just be a high end feature.

[ejtaylor]

Thanks for this, albeit an hour too late 🤣 I just finished helping a friend build his new PC, it posted and booted into Windows 1st try (Used HDD from old PC). Restarted it and went into BIOS to turn on XMP profile, saved and exited, no post 😭 Look on a few forums for error code and everyone was saying flash BIOS, flash BIOS, and pull CPU cooler off and take CPU out and check the pins, and pull RAM out and put them in 1 at a time and try again. Instead I went for the quickest and easiest possible fix that anyone of any level can do, popping CMOS battery for 30 seconds ish, put it back in and it fired right up. Went into BIOS turned off XMP and booted back into Windows no problem.

I think the biggest problem with forums is, people forget not everyone is at the same level as them. They use abbreviations, don't give complete information, they don't tell people what they'll see and what to expect, they start with some of the hardest fixes first, instead of the simple ones (Like popping CMOS battery out), then they get frustrated when the OP doesn't understand them and they get condescending and belittle the person. If the OP was at an advanced level they wouldn't be on the forum asking questions in the 1st place.

[RealBastard-qu]

Last week one of my computers just stopped while I was using it. When restarting the fans and disks started but no post.I did basically what you did, removed all ram and put each stick in one at a time, no post. Then fitted a different video card, still no go. Replaced PSU, no go. Reset BIOS, still no go. Sent the motherboard to the recyling bin. It was old but I have never had a computer fail while in use before. Thanks for your videos I have learnt a lot from them and now use Snappy Driver regularly as I currently maintain 4 laptops and 7 other systems for my business and family life.

[nevinkuser]

Great info. My video card is fried. Thanks for helping me go through everything one by one.

[jamesottaway]

I turned the power off with the switch in the back; waited a couple of minutes and turned it back on. When I used the front power button it came on as normal. Thank you so much!!

[rogerokeefe]

Great video as always, however I think you should have tested the memory before the cpu because this is a much more likely culprit than a bad cpu.

[FarmerRiddick]

Subscribed!
I've been tinkering with Linux for several years now and have been taking a deep dive for over a month- plus on the modern hardware, etc and learning all sorts of cool stuff, like what you have on your channel.
I'm about to make a home server with Ubuntu Server distro with an olde Dell desktop I have along with, the learning curve of a recent purchase of a box that has an i7 4770 with a Nvidia RTX 2060 Super and Win 10 as a basic gaming computer.

After being away from IT since the bubble burst in 2001... I now got the bug again, thanks to my son and grandkids and all of us starting to play Everquest (Evercrack from back in the day). I'm going to be tuning up my son's Alienware with Win 10 (circa 2009) soon. I forgot about how cumbersome and cantankerous Windows can be. The tools you portrayed in your videos will be most helpful!

I've been actually thinking about an A+ Cert recently and see what happens from there. Perhaps hang a shingle (sign) in my rural community one day.
I may be long in the tooth and a semi retired/ beat up olde combat vet turned part time farmer, but I'm far from done yet!
Geek Out!