I have a second PC that was built a few years ago that I scavenged a few parts out of to upgrade another PC. With a spare HD and video card I decided to put this second PC to use.

I'm using the same power supply, HD and video card that was in this PC originally. When I try to switch it on, nothing happens, no fans spin, no lights shine. Tried a new power supply and still nothing.

Where do I look next for a solution?

Thanks~

Have you made sure the psu is connected to the motherboard , and that the motherboard is not touching your case ?

Does the power supply have one of those little on/off switches on the back? Make sure it is set to the "on" position.

Is the power plug plugged into the wall outlet??

creeping-doom,
Yes the PSU is plugged in. Finding out if the MB is touching the case will require dismantling everything, I has hoped to avoid that.

Draclvr,
I haven't noticed a switch on the back of the PSU, I'll look again.

Homer6,
Yes, even tried different outlets.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll go back and look some more.

It's a little "rocker" type switch with a O and a - on it. The - should be pressed down for the on position.

If you've used the computer before, there would be no reason the motherboard would not have the brass standoffs installed under it.

If none of these things work and you don't have a way to test the power supply, I would guess that the motherboard is dead.

If you have a spare power cord, try swapping it. And don't avoid the obvious, make sure the receptacle has power (plug a lamp into it, make sure it's powered).

Short of that, you may need to replace the PSU - it's a fairly straight forward process and reasonably cheep to repair.

It can be reasonably cheap to repair , that is certainly true . It can potentially be expensive as well .

A lot depends on whether the case takes a standard size PSU with standard connectors. If the PSU is an odd size or uses proprietary connectors, you may have to pay extra to replace it.

I can't imagine that you would have two separate power supplies that are bad, but it's certainly possible. You are making sure both the main 24 pin (or 20 pin on older motherboards) connector and the 4 or 8 pin CPU connectors are plugged in, right? And of course the hard drive has both connection to the board and the PS?

Draclr - I finally realized you were talking about the power switch next to the power cord socket. I thought you meant something else.
Never said I was the sharpest knife in the drawer.

I have dismantled everything and found 4 stand offs were missing, replaced them.

Removed the CPU and cleaned and re-gooped it.

Still dead.

At this stage I would just like to get a little movement in a fan, never mind a HD.

All suggestions appreciated~

Thanks

Do you have another means to test your psu , such as a tester or by installing in another computer ? I ask because either your psu , or your motherboard is faulty . Have you made sure that your psu is plugged in to all of the required ports , as Draclvr has asked ? Short of that , I would wager that as I have just stated , either the motherboard or psu is faulty .

I invested about $20 in a power supply tester and it has paid for itself many times over. Answers that question, "Is it the PS or the motherboard!"

Does the motherboard have any status lights? Do they light up if you try and run it with the case open?

If you've tried two different power supplies I'm wondering if the power switch at the front of your machine (or wherever it is located exactly) is having an issue. Make sure it's connected to the motherboard (assuming the motherboard is getting power from the PSU).

Good point, TP. I had a power switch go bad on the front of a computer some time ago. And those front panel headers can be a devil getting connected correctly because they are so tiny.

Do make sure those headers and connectors are right, sarahandus.

I would agree Draclvr ! That is something I had not thought of .

The power switch connectors were not disconnected when I discontinued using this machine. I agree they are a bear to get connected in the proper order.

If the problem is the MB then I'm going to forget the whole project, I've spent too much on the idea than I should have already. And really don't need a second computer.

So, unless there is something else that would be free or inexpensive, this is going back to being and empty case again.

I thank you so much for all the help.

PS - At least this gave me something to do while I wait for a game to be published.

Don't forget the "obvious".

Some video cards require a direct connection to the power supply and don't get their main power from the card edge. Be sure to check for that.

If you're positive you know which pins are involved, you can always try shorting them for a second or two (which is all the remote power on button does).

I get a quick blink on the power light when the switch is pressed, but subsequent presses do nothing.

I'm not sure which pins are involved. There should be some instructions around here that showed which pin is which if I can only find it. A lot of papers about building computers seem to have disappeared in the few years since I built that one.

Thanks~

If you have some idea of what make and model the motherboard, you can probably find a manual on-line. I found one for my 8 year old HP computer's motherboard.

The manual download came as a PDF which allowed me to print a large picture of the MB with all it's identifying notes. That little 8x5 printed manual's pictures were just too small to see anything.

Upshot of that was that things are still dead.

The heck with this project, don't need a 2nd computer any way.

Anybody want a really nice Antec case?

Thanks so much for all your help ~