darkrats Posted November 13 Share Posted November 13 Here's a real puzzler. My brother recently moved into a house, and brought along his computer (one I built) that he's been using without any problems at all. After about two weeks, he pushed the power button and nothing happened. No lights, no fans, not boot, no error beeps. So, I gave him my recently retired computer (one I built) and he used that for about two days. Then when he pushed the power button, the fans spun for about a second or so and the computer would not start. He then tried an old thinkcentre that he happened to have kept, and the same thing happened to it as it did to the second computer. If it was only one computer, I might suspect a PS problem, but this happened to all three computers, regardless of where in the house they are pluggedin. My only thought is some kind of power surge shorted out all three computers. The previous residents had computers and did not experience this problem. His original computer is currently in the shop and he is waiting to hear what they find. Does anyone have some thoughts on this. The only common denominator is the house wiring system, but I really don't know. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Global Moderator Posted November 13 Global Moderator Share Posted November 13 Sounds like a power problem. Is he using a power strip? Or is he connecting straight into the wall? You should've power cycled those computers. Take the power plug out, hit the power button a few times, then plug it back in. Also, make sure all connections are snug. 24-pin, cpu-pin, GFX-pin, and any HDD/SSDs. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946562 Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkrats Posted November 13 Author Share Posted November 13 Thanks for your post. He is using a power strip. He tried the power button thing, but that didn't help. I read a few posts where water damaged a keyboard, which in turn shorted out a usb port. So he tried a new keyboard and a different port without success. It may be that all three computers were damaged via the keyboard or the power strip. I'm trying to think of a common connection between the three computers, but am running out of ideas on my part. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946569 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Global Moderator Posted November 13 Global Moderator Share Posted November 13 I don't think a keyboard would knock out a whole computer, but, who knows.. I'd suggest trying it with a different power strip.. xrobwx71 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946585 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Montage Posted November 13 Share Posted November 13 Having moved, I'd be tempted to remove and re-seat everything. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946622 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Montage Posted November 13 Share Posted November 13 On 13/11/2024 at 01:55, Mindovermaster said: Take the power plug out, hit the power button a few times, then plug it back in. Curious - why? What does this do? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946625 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick H. Supervisor Posted November 13 Supervisor Share Posted November 13 On 13/11/2024 at 09:21, Dick Montage said: Curious - why? What does this do? I think the idea is that after unplugging there may be residual power still in the system and pressing the power button gets the computer to try to start, thus removing that left over power. I have absolutely no idea if there is any merit to that, but if you think about it all computers have a CMOS battery so there is some form of electricity stored in the machine. Speaking of, @darkratshave you tried taking out the CMOS battery and then putting it back in? I had a case not too long ago where the computer refused to start and removing the CMOS battery and replacing it got it to work again. Dick Montage 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946631 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorD Posted November 13 Share Posted November 13 1 computer I can totally seeing a random failure, 2 computers down...now you have an electrical issue. +hedleigh and goretsky 2 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946635 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted November 13 MVC Share Posted November 13 I run all my major electronics on UPS, not just a power strip.. These can deal some power issues, low voltage over voltage, brownouts, etc. etc.. But 3 computers going out, I would think something up with the power.. Did he buy the house, or a rental. I ask because if bought there should of been an inspection - that looked at the house power, etc. +hedleigh 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946684 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellowalkman Reporter Posted November 13 Reporter Share Posted November 13 A home wiring inspection is immediately needed. And plz have a UPS or Inverter (if you need one) with UPS mode. goretsky 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946686 Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkrats Posted November 13 Author Share Posted November 13 On 13/11/2024 at 07:35, BudMan said: I run all my major electronics on UPS, not just a power strip.. These can deal some power issues, low voltage over voltage, brownouts, etc. etc.. But 3 computers going out, I would think something up with the power.. Did he buy the house, or a rental. I ask because if bought there should of been an inspection - that looked at the house power, etc. The house is a rental. I'm also thinking it is a power issue with the house, rather than the 3 computers. Quick question; is a UPS the same as a surge protector (built into the power strip or separate), and if not the same, which would be the best hardware to get? On 13/11/2024 at 07:38, hellowalkman said: A home wiring inspection is immediately needed. And plz have a UPS or Inverter (if you need one) with UPS mode. Same as my reply to another post. Does a UPS protect against power surges as well as outages? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946774 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggers Posted November 13 Share Posted November 13 (edited) A UPS is an uninterruptable power supply, it`s basically a box with an internal battery that sits between the mains power source and the device it`s protecting. If the power goes off then the UPS takes over supplying power to whatever is plugged into it. They also have many protection features built in such as voltage spike protection, frequency instability and oscillation. Did he use any sort of surge protection on the devices? Maybe a decent surge protector would be enough without going to the expense of a UPS. https://www.howtogeek.com/809386/best-surge-protector/ Hopefully you`ll get to the bottom of it... Good luck p.s. Have they tried disconnecting everything (monitor, any USB inputs, keyboard) and swithing on, it could be something like the monitor or cable causing a short, was anything the same used on all 3 boxes? Edited November 13 by Riggers Mindovermaster 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946780 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Global Moderator Posted November 13 Global Moderator Share Posted November 13 What Riggers said. I have a UPS system for my modem, "router" and switch. A surge protector only "somewhat" saves you from power surges. Get an electrician and have his power looked at carefully. Edit: I own this one for reference: https://www.amazon.com/CyberPower-CP1000PFCLCD-Sinewave-Outlets-Mini-Tower/dp/B00429N192?th=1 goretsky 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946802 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted November 13 MVC Share Posted November 13 To answer which is the best ups to get, this can lead into some heated discussions for sure depending I have been using cyberpower for many years, I haven't had any issues with them - they are normally a bit cheaper than other bigger names in the ups space.. APC, Eaton.. APC is really Schneider Electric, etc.. Price can vary quite a bit - you should really proper size for how much your actually going to plug into it, how much load those something(s) draw, how much time do you want them to be able to last on just battery.. Is it simulated sine-wave or true sinewave, etc. Plus a load of other sorts of features - can it be monitored remotely over the network.. Just going to your local computer store or big box store and picking up one off the shelf should/could work - but if undersized its not going to be of much good, etc. I am like @Mindovermasterand have multiple items plugged into couple I have in my computer room. Nas, PC, switch, router, modem - access points (poe via injectors).. raspberry pi. And 1 of my monitors of my dual monitors, etc.. I have one in my AV cabinet for direcTV box, AVR, switch that is in there, and then one behind my main TV in the living room that also powers the roku ultra, a pi behind the tv and the tv itself. If I have a power outage, I can last about 20 minutes before stuff starts shutting down.. Normally the rare outages we do have never last anywhere near that long. If I turn off the pc/monitor and nas - I can run my APs and networking gear for quite some time longer than that. So to get one that best suites your needs, you prob need to do a bit of homework. I currently have a couple of these in my computer room. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429N19W CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS System, 1500VA/1000W, 12 Outlets, AVR You can normally replace the batteries in them without having to buy a whole new unit.. Batteries are prob good for 3 to about 5 years tops. And it is a good idea to test them now and then to make sure batteries are still good, and actually functioning - or when you do have a power outage, your stuff might just go off like no ups even there. Mindovermaster 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946859 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Global Moderator Posted November 13 Global Moderator Share Posted November 13 Should get @Warwagonin here. He runs several in his house. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946860 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Warwagon MVC Posted November 14 MVC Share Posted November 14 I have 2 of these (Not this EXACT one, because it's so old, but equivalent) https://a.co/d/h8DBNch and I have 2 of these (Not this EXACT one, because it's so old, but equivalent) https://a.co/d/iODCcCq and I have 1 of these https://a.co/d/2Ky10MU I also have 2 other really old APC non LCD UP's I also have used these for replacement batteries https://a.co/d/9SiIPob Dick Montage 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946965 Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkrats Posted November 14 Author Share Posted November 14 I'm just waiting to hear from my brother, as to what the London Drugs technical department found out about any damage to his original computer. I'll post what they say (if the computer can be fixed) as to the cause of the failure. The computer I loaned to him, I hope to get back so I can check it out on my own. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598946973 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Eternal Tempest MVC Posted November 14 MVC Share Posted November 14 A bit off the beaten path, he's not accidental plugging in one of the USB computer killers sticks, the one that build up enough electrical charge then kills the motherboard? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1448858-failure-to-start-involving-three-different-computers/#findComment-598947065 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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