[BonkEye]

Switched on the PC yesterday, only for it to come on, and then shutdown within about 10secs. I tried different things like different cables sockets etc and even a new PSU. Trouble is, even with a new PSU, and NOTHING else connected, it starts up, then shuts down, within 10-15secs. I can't see how it could be hardware cos there's nothing connected, but I cant see how it could be a faulty PSU or cable, cos I've tried both of them as well. The BIOS doesnt appear on screen, not are there any beeps when it is connected..

ANY suggestions? It's really bugging me now!!

[beardedwonder]

have you checked temps for overheationg components like the CPU?

Sounds a lot like that blaster worm that was going around a while ago, are you running XP? Is it completely up-to-date? Or maybe just some sort of virus.

Those are the only things i can think of at the mo', hope that helps.

[Anarchi]

Its definetely not software if you cant see anything on screen.

CPU could be overheating and shutting off. Go into the BIOS and check the CPU and NB temps. Make sure the fans are spinning, and free from dust. (including the video card). [edit] if you can get to the BIOS in the first place.

Bad memory could be causing a fatal error when Windows boots. run Memtest from [link] (bootable floppy or CD).
[edit] but you cant boot though...

If your video card requires an extra molex power cable, make sure its plugged in, and the cable is not shared with any other device like a HDD.

Incase you (or a virus) have changed something in the BIOS that is causing it, reset the CMOS by shorting the BIOS reset jumper on the mobo. (the jumper/pins should be near the CMOS battery)

[beardedwonder]

oops, i didn't read the bit about not being able to see the BIOS! Ignore my comments about blaster then.

Sounds hardware related, if you could lay your hands on another video card that would be where i'd start. If that doesn't work i'd try unplugging all the 'unecessaries' pci devices and the power from optical and spare HD drives.

At each step it's worth seeing if you can find out temps from in the BIOS.

resetting the CMOS as anarchi says may help, hope you can remember all the old settings

[BonkEye]

Cheers guys. It deffo aint a virus, cos this machine isn't connected to the any network in any way.

I cant check anything in the BIOS cos the power doesn't stay on that long for me to see the BIOS. I can't get the temp readings either.

I think it may be the PSU (both the original one, and the new one) as when I plug the it into the wall -not even placed or connected in the PC - it starts up, then shuts down.

It's strange how I've had got PSUs with the same problem. I've tried different power leads as well to see if that makes any difference but it doesn't.

[walaj]

Does the fan start on the CPU - many modern mobos have "antiburn" - shuts the machine down if the CPU overheats - or - the fan isn't running.

re the power supply - it is possible it has a thermally controlled fan - so it might be "live" but not powering the fan (thus appearing dead)

does the power supply (or anyother component) get hot very fast?

(strangely enough my Soltek QBIC SFF based pvr just died - here the machine doesn't even power up - the only life is the yellow light on the ethernet port - so, about to RMA it and try to survive for what will probably be 30 days with out timeshifting!!!)

J

[SciDoctor]

Have close look at the capicitors on the MB , are any of them swollen or blown , leaking..

Does the OS boot to the login screen at all.Also have you tried 'Safe Mode' to see if the symptom is driver based.

Shutting down soon after boot but well into the OS start can be Video driver problems.

[BonkEye]

[SciDoctor]

Has the graphics card become unseated ?

If you have OB graphics available then remove then try this instead of the gpu card.

[Anarchi]

Yeah something could have been dislodged, pull apart the whole PC are reassemble it - swapping parts with another PC if possible, to determine the faulty component.

[BonkEye]

Nothing blown on the mobo. I tried using the OB graphics card and nothing, removed and reseated the GeForce card, and still nothing. I've just taken my original PSU back to the supplier, so I'll try this. The other PSU I had I'll get my money back. Hopefully this new PSU (No 3) will sort things out

[BonkEye]

Ok. I've finally got it sorted (After checking the PSU, Mobo and cables!)

The only thing I can figure out that was dodgy was a connection to the front of the case running to a card reader i'd put in below a floppy drive.