PC problem

[Andrew110]

The problem is my computer won't turn on at all! No lights or anything, front or back. The other night, I shut it down and I was there when it shut down and everything looked completely normal. But when I tried turning it on the next morning nothing happened. I tried using a different power cord but still no luck. My monitor, speakers and printer all work. I don't know if this had anything to do with it, but the same day I put an AC (only 5000 BTU) in my computer room on the same wall outlet (I have 2 power strips though.) Could it be it didn't get enough power to shut down? My computer is fairly new, Dell Dimension 4600 P4 2.66ghz and 512MB RAM.

[Auggie2k]

You probably blew a fuse on that wall outlet or else tripped a switch on the main switchboard! Before you go flipping switches, get your hands on a current tester and check out the power supply of the computer.

[Andrew110]

where can I get a current tester and how do I use it?

[mountain_rage]

I would say its either a power supply problem. Something you can check is if theres a a tiny reaction when trying to power it on. If there is some action then its a power supply problem. Other problems could be a fried mobo or a faulty power switch but those are highly unlikely. Testers are probably sold at some of your local computer stores but they have to be a little more specialised. You might als obe able to get one at radioshack but im not sure check there website. Also you said your running your a/c on the same outlet. That could be a problem in the future as you might be sucking too much power. Usually outlets are connected to anything from lights and other outlets in the room and then run to the fuse box. So if your sucking too much juice from the computer it can cause alot of problems.

[Andrew110]

So what will I have to do if it's a power supply problem? Can I fix it myself?

[mountain_rage]

you can buy power supplys and to change it its just a matter of opening your casse and taking out a few screws. Then unplugging the old power supply from your devices and installing the new parts. Just a question if your still under warrante with dell just give them a call i think they have a good policy you might just be able to send it to them.

[axlman]

Being a PC Tech, I can tell you that it could also be your CPU or Motherboard. Do the fans still come on?

[Andrew110]

Are there a lot of different power supplies?

[mfgbypooter]

Did you unhook the AC unit from the plug in the wall and then give it a try?

*

[Andrew110]

Nothing happens when I plug it in or turn it on, the fans don't turn on either and I tried using it on a different outlet. It doesn't seem like it's getting any power so it's probably the power supply.

[Wipeout]

A current tester is called an ammeter.

Did a google search and here it is on how to use it:

http://www.exo.net/~pauld/summer_institute/summer_day15current/ammeter.html

[The Hunter]

What i use is a VOM meter. Volt Ohm Meter. This will at least tell you if the power supply is putting out any power. Now you really need to know where to hook the leads up to see what voltages you have if any output from the power supply.

[Andrew110]

Thanks everyone, I will test the power suppy as soon as I get a meter.

[Greylin]

just unplug everything from that outlet and plug in a lamp. If it works it's getting juice if not the breaker could be blown. If it's just a blown breaker go to your fuse panel and reset/replace fuse. If nothing at all is coming on then I would guess that it is probably the power supply. Even if it isn't the power supply it's a lot cheaper to buy a power supply than a CPU or notherboard.

[rianeiromiron]

Many (many, many) Dell 4600 have been reported to have Power supply failure after 13 or so months of issue. Dell does not recognize the problem, except, of course, if you have a 2 year warranty. So, don't waste time. Change the Power Supply.