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Other => General Topics => Topic started by: Jtaylor83 on February 01, 2009, 11:09:34 PM

Title: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: Jtaylor83 on February 01, 2009, 11:09:34 PM
Big problem, my computer won't boot up and there's a yellow light on the power button. I using my parents computer.

Both computers are Intel.
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: ardvark on February 01, 2009, 11:29:47 PM
Hi...

If you press and hold the power button in for a few seconds, does the yellow light go completely off? If so, will it boot if you repress the button?

May God Bless you!
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: Jtaylor83 on February 01, 2009, 11:46:50 PM
I did hold the button for a few seconds and the yellow light came off. It still won't boot when I turned it back on, i also took a sniff and the PC smells all musty. The computer might be overheated.
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: ardvark on February 01, 2009, 11:55:33 PM
I did hold the button for a few seconds and the yellow light came off. It still won't boot when I turned it back on, i also took a sniff and the PC smells all musty. The computer might be overheated.

Hi...

Ok, what happened when you pressed the button the second time? Did the same yellow light come on? It wouldn't be overheated if you just turned it on after being off for a while. ???

Also, can you provide the hardware specs of your system and the OS you're using?

Best Regards...
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: Jtaylor83 on February 01, 2009, 11:58:32 PM
Yes, now I'm opening the computer and finding the source of the problem.

My OS is Windows XP SP3.
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: ardvark on February 02, 2009, 12:04:13 AM
Yes, now I'm opening the computer and finding the source of the problem.

Hi...

Let us know what you find. :)

Best Regards...
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: Jtaylor83 on February 02, 2009, 02:48:45 AM
Hi, ardvark. I took a look inside and it appears the fans not spinning. I'll have to take it to Office Depot tommorow and have a specialist look at it.

God Bless You.

Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: ardvark on February 02, 2009, 04:39:04 AM
Hi...

May God Bless you as well! :) I would imagine the fans not spinning is a symptom and not the reason why your system isn't booting.

I hope they find the problem and that it will be inexpensive to take care of. :)

Best Regards...
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: CharleyO on February 02, 2009, 05:51:34 AM
***

Just a guess, but I would say the power supply is failing.


***
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: ardvark on February 02, 2009, 11:41:51 PM
Just a guess, but I would say the power supply is failing.

Hi...

Or possibly the motherboard. :(

Best Regards...
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: scythe944 on February 03, 2009, 03:35:53 AM
If it's a dell (I unfortunately used to be one of their on-site techs, working for Unisys), then yes, the motherboard could possibly be failing as ardvark has suggested.

Although, it could just be the fan...  Simply by pulling out the fan and spinning it with your fingers could let you know if it has seized or not.  That's a simple, cheap fix that anyone can do.  No sense in taking it to specialists if that's the case.

Powersupplies, are usually running or not running.  Yeah, I've seen where they are starting to fail and cause weird problems, but when a transformer goes, a transformer goes.  Doesn't usually take too long.  I'd definitely go the fan / mobo way.
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: Jtaylor83 on February 03, 2009, 04:55:36 AM
My Computer is a Gateway and it was manufactured by Selectronix in Hazlehurst, GA, USA.

If the mobo is fried, then I will have to wait till next week to have my PC rebuilt or I could get a new cheap one from Walmart. They're all probably 64-bit with Vista.
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: ardvark on February 03, 2009, 08:20:24 AM
If the mobo is fried, then I will have to wait till next week to have my PC rebuilt or I could get a new cheap one from Walmart. They're all probably 64-bit with Vista.

Hi...

Actually, no. The last time I was there, about two or three months ago, I saw an e-machine that came with Windows XP. I think it was around $200 or $300. :)

Best Regards...
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: scythe944 on February 03, 2009, 05:37:35 PM
Well, they do sell vista machines, they're rarely 64-bit.  They are available though.

As for getting a new motherboard, it will probably have to come from gateway, as they positition the holes in the motherboard to fit their proprietary case.

If you want to spend the least amount of money, I'd suggest buying a new case and a motherboard from a place like http://www.newegg.com and putting all of the guts from your computer into the new case and motherboard.

Don't know if you have the skills or want to do this though.  But at least you'd be able to break away from proprietary hardware, and use anything you want from here on out.  Just my $.02.
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: ardvark on February 03, 2009, 11:54:35 PM
If you want to spend the least amount of money, I'd suggest buying a new case and a motherboard from a place like http://www.newegg.com and putting all of the guts from your computer into the new case and motherboard.

Hi...

This would depend, in part, on how many devices are onboard as opposed to being provided by separate cards. If it's the former, it would be better to get a new motherboard from Gateway or just buy a brand new system. ;)

Best Regards...
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: Jtaylor83 on February 06, 2009, 03:54:46 AM
I took my PC to NetLine America to have it fixed. I had to pay the $20 deposit fee.

Next time, I'm getting SpeedFan to monitor the CPU temperature.
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: ardvark on February 06, 2009, 04:20:19 AM
I took my PC to NetLine America to have it fixed. I had to pay the $20 deposit fee.

Next time, I'm getting SpeedFan to monitor the CPU temperature.

Hi...

Is this the Netline America you're referring to?

http://www.nlamerica.com/

It may have not been the CPU itself that went out, but rather the motherboard. :)

Best Regards...
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: Jtaylor83 on February 06, 2009, 06:42:14 PM
I took my PC to NetLine America to have it fixed. I had to pay the $20 deposit fee.

Next time, I'm getting SpeedFan to monitor the CPU temperature.

Hi...

Is this the Netline America you're referring to?

http://www.nlamerica.com/

It may have not been the CPU itself that went out, but rather the motherboard. :)

Best Regards...

Yes. It's a short drive from where I'm living.

Edit: I got some info from Wilders Security Forums and they said it might be the PSU.

Here's the links they gave me.

http://www.fonerbooks.com/r_power.htm

http://compreviews.about.com/od/tutorials/ss/DIYPSU.htm
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: Jtaylor83 on February 10, 2009, 09:36:11 PM
Sorry for double posting. I just got a call from NetLine America that the PSU is gone and they can't replace it with a new one, so I have to buy a new processor. My hard drive maybe still good. The question is: Will the new processor be able to read my hard drive from the old one or do I have to reformat and reinstall from scratch?

Or at least add it as a second drive.
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: CharleyO on February 10, 2009, 10:16:56 PM
***

Are you sure you understood them correctly? Why can the PSU (power supply unit) not be replaced? PSU's are generally easy to replace and these days not very expensive ... depending on the wattage required such as 400 watt, 500 watt, etc. With today's equipment requirements, I would not suggest anything less than a 400 watt PSU on even the basic of computers.

The processor (CPU) is a completely different component than the PSU, but, it is possible that the failing PSU could have caused damage to the CPU. When a PSU starts failing (which could sometimes take days or months), the regulated power supplied to the individual components could become less than is required, or more than required, both of which can cause damage.

So, is the CPU (processor) damaged or have you confussed what they said? If the CPU is actually damaged, chances are that parts of the motherboard could also be damaged. It may be time for a new computer.

It's not so much whether the CPU can read the hard drive or not. It's more the specifications of the motherboard (mb) used. If the current motherboard is not damaged, then there is no concern. If a new motherboard is required, then be sure the new mb supports your current hard drive ... ata, sata, etc.


***
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: Jtaylor83 on February 10, 2009, 10:37:05 PM
The power supply unit (PSU) is damaged, that what I heard from NetAm.

The thing I'm concerned about is taking my hard drive out of the old processor and putting it into the new one.

I also found this site that sells PSUs.

http://www.atxpowersupplies.com/
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: CharleyO on February 10, 2009, 10:52:45 PM
***

By old processor, I think you mean computer case. The processor is the CPU that is mounted on the motherboard inside the case and is an Intel as you mentioned in a prior posting.

That might be a good place to get a PSU from if you have a branded computer ... Dell, Gateway, HP, etc.
The brand name of the computer is not Intel. Intel is the CPU maker. So, what is the brand name of the computer? You will also need to know the model name and/or number.

If you are going to let NetAm do the work for you, it might be a good idea to let them get the PSU for you or they might not guarantee the work they do.


***


***
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: ardvark on February 11, 2009, 05:32:00 AM
The power supply unit (PSU) is damaged, that what I heard from NetAm.

The thing I'm concerned about is taking my hard drive out of the old processor and putting it into the new one.

I also found this site that sells PSUs.

http://www.atxpowersupplies.com/

Hi...

Did Netline America offer to replace the PSU with one they have in stock?

Try not to go too cheaply in this area, a low quality PSU also comes with the risk of it going out sooner and possibly taking some or all your PC's components, such as the motherboard, hard drive, and cards, etx., along with it. :(

Here are a couple guides to purchasing a new PSU...

http://compreviews.about.com/od/cases/bb/PSU.htm

http://www.xoxide.com/buy-computer-power-supplies.html

I can't personally vouch for any of xoxide's choices for "Recommended Brands," however, from what I understand, PSU's from PC Power and Cooling (http://www.pcpower.com/index.html) are some of the best available, quality wise. :)

Hope this helps. :)

May God Bless you! :)
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: Jtaylor83 on February 11, 2009, 05:22:02 PM
Good news. NetAm says they can also take the motherboard out of the old PC shell (including the hard drive, the CD-RW/DVD drive, network and memory cards) and put it into a new PC shell that already has a PSU.
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: ardvark on February 11, 2009, 07:27:13 PM
Good news. NetAm says they can also take the motherboard out of the old PC shell (including the hard drive, the CD-RW/DVD drive, network and memory cards) and put it into a new PC shell that already has a PSU.

Hi...

What is the brand and wattage (output) of the PSU? What is the same of the original?

Best Regards...
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: scythe944 on February 11, 2009, 08:45:16 PM
Good news. NetAm says they can also take the motherboard out of the old PC shell (including the hard drive, the CD-RW/DVD drive, network and memory cards) and put it into a new PC shell that already has a PSU.

Quote
As for getting a new motherboard, it will probably have to come from gateway, as they positition the holes in the motherboard to fit their proprietary case.

If you want to spend the least amount of money, I'd suggest buying a new case and a motherboard from a place like http://www.newegg.com and putting all of the guts from your computer into the new case and motherboard.
Don't know if you have the skills or want to do this though.  But at least you'd be able to break away from proprietary hardware, and use anything you want from here on out.  Just my $.02.

I kinda said the same thing earlier... Although luckily, you don't need a new motherboard if it fits in a new case
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: Jtaylor83 on February 24, 2009, 12:49:29 AM
Update: NetAM just found a new PC shell that came with a PSU and they put the mobo, hard drive, CD-RW/DVD drive in it

The PC Shell is an Hewlett Packard with an extra fan.
Title: Re: Computer will not boot, yellow light on the power button
Post by: ardvark on February 24, 2009, 05:49:57 AM
Update: NetAM just found a new PC shell that came with a PSU and they put the mobo, hard drive, CD-RW/DVD drive in it

The PC Shell is an Hewlett Packard with an extra fan.

Hi...

Sounds like you're good to go! :)

Best Regards...