Help: Computer Won't Turn On...
 

Hey guys need some help from the computer geniuses on here

I have a HP Pavilion a6535c desktop PC(I know nothing fancy, but it gets the job done) and it won't turn on.
Last night when I went to bed I put it into sleep mode and this morning it was completely off. Went to press the button to turn it on and nothing. No fans come on, no beeps, nothing. Only sign of "life" is the little green LED on the power supply. Tore it all apart, looked at the on switch and it seems to be operating fine, clicking like it should

specs: HP Pavilion a6500 Desktop PC series$-$ HP Pavilion a6535c Desktop PC Product Specifications - c01498947 - HP Business Support Center

motherboard specs: HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Motherboard Specifications, IPIBL-LB (Benicia) - c01324212 - HP Business Support Center

I initially thought it may be the power supply but I tried the paper clip trick and the power supply turns on and blows out cold air...

Which leads me to believe its the motherboard since its not turning on at all.
Any way to test the mobo?
If it is dead....
would I be able to swap out just the motherboard and keep everything else (case, ram, processor, graphics card, etc.) just transfer it onto the new mobo...? Would it be worth it to upgrade the processor at this time(currently a Intel Core 2 Quad)

Which leads me to ask which motherboard should I get? and how would I know which one would work and fit?

I'm not the smartest when it comes to computers but know more than your average joe.

any other suggestions?


I've done the official HP troubleshooting procedures as well and nothing
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...6788_section_2

Thank You

Sounds like your motherboard decided to call it quits.

I had a very similar HP model. The cases for certain models around this time weren't properly grounded and it causes the motherboard to short out.

Just get an entirely new one. Don't replace the motherboard in there (even tho its possible) as the problem is (likely) with the case and it'll just short out the new mobo.

It'll be like trying to smother a fire by throwing money on it.


Go to NCIX, pick up a similar machine, and xfer your non-damaged components to that box.

Almost every HP machine I've come across has SOMETHING done in a proprietary way that makes it almost impossible to upgrade or repair with off-the-shelf parts. However, even assuming this one is an exception, like EB says, you're probably better off to just get a new machine - you can probably get something faster for close to the same price you'd pay just for a new motherboard, and you'd have a machine that's much more expandable with new parts.

It was made around the time of the capacitor plague saga. Do a visual inspection of the motherboard. Are there any bulging capacitors? It's toast.

I've brought machines back to life by replacing the blown caps before... however, that's a lot of work, and I've had some machines where there were close to a dozen caps popped. Sometimes they're tightly packed, tall, narrow types, and finding replacements that will all fit together on the board is impossible.

okay a few questions, specs again: HP Pavilion a6500 Desktop PC series - HP Pavilion a6535c Desktop PC Product Specifications - c01498947 - HP Business Support Center
1. would I be able to transfer the RAM to the new mobo
2. Could I transfer the harddrive to the new computer without losing the information stored on the HD? Would I have to get a new windows cd and all that?
3. Power Supply transferrable?
4. Lightscribe DVD transferrable?

You can swap everything over maybe except for the power supply as these manufacturers tend to use trash units. You'll likely want to find a LGA775 mobo used since those specs are a few generations behind..

Probably cheaper to go with a new build.


EDIT:
Re-read.

^ can't he just reuse the 9500 from old computer

You're right I missed it in the link :derp:

i have a couple buddies that had their hp laptops break for various reasons.
one of them went through 3 over the years. guess he didn't learn after the first one

^+1 Yeah, I would avoid HP laptops.

However, HP desktops aren't that bad at all. I am re-using a HP monitor and hard drive from 2008, and they are still working fine.

1.its hard to get a lga775 mobo now unless used and the ram is ddr2. unless you want to use the same chip then yes you can reuse the ram

2.you can still use the hd on another computer with the info on it.

3. power supply most likely you can but knowing hp crap its a shitty power supply

4.yes you can transfer over the dvd drive

Yeah I realized the RAM is DDR2 and now all the new motherboards have DDR3 slots.
Would I be able to fit the old DDR2 ram into the new mobo with DDr3 slots?

Also as you guys can tell I'm pretty noob at computers but know the basics, and I'm not going for the ultimate gaming rig, since the most intensive game played would be counterstrike source, and would use it to watch movies :ifyouknow:...


So what I'm thinking is build a new computer...transfer over the hard drive, dvd reader/writer, and maybe the power supply. Buy a new mobo, RAM, graphics card, case and processor, heatsink.

How does this case look: Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case Black 3X5.25 1X3.5 5X3.5INT No PS w/ Fan Controller & Temp Display
any other comparables within the price range?
It can fit a ATX or m-atx mobo.

This leads me to ask: motherboards, what are the major differences between them. For example: ASUS M5A97 R2.0 AMD970/SB950 ATX AM3+ DDR3 2PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 SATA3 USB3.0 CrossFireX Motherboard
versus
ASUS P8Z77-V Lk ATX LGA1155 Z77 DDR3 3PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 2PCI SATA3 SLI DVI HDMI DP USB3.0 Motherboard

To me the difference looks to be that one has integrated graphics while the other does not? O an the more expensive one is geared towards fitting Intel processors vs. the cheaper one, AMD processors.

Also would I need to worry about graphics cards fitting or are they usually a standard size?

In regards to processors I'm leaning towards Intel but don't know which one would be best towards my needs



Finally BELOUD help me :whistle::hotbaby:

^ Nope, you can't fit DDR2 Ram into DDR3 slots. If you're gonna play CS:Source and watch movies, I suggest building a AMD APU set up. No need for discrete graphics card imo.

I would prefer to stick with Intel and also would like a separate graphics card just for future upgradeability and you never know when I might start playing more "labour intensive" games

So far I got this case and power supply down
NCIX PC Case and PSU Bundle - Zalman Z9PLUS Gaming ATX Case and XFX 650W Core Edition PSU

This heatsink:
Zalman CNPS10X Optima Pure COPPER/ALUM 12CM Shark Fin Fan CPU Cooler LGA1155 1156 1366 FM1 AM3

Now to look into motherboards and processors.

Leaning towards this motherboard since it can support intel chips
ASUS P8Z77-V Lk ATX LGA1155 Z77 DDR3 3PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 3PCI SATA3 SLI DVI HDMI DP USB3.0 Motherboard
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=71...S&promoid=1360

And this processor:
Intel Core i5 3570 Quad Core Processor LGA1155 3.4GHZ Ivy Bridge 6MB Retail
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=72...l&promoid=1202

let me know of any concerns people, or suggestions you may have
Keep in mind I am not looking to overclock anything or push the system to the extreme. Plug and play for me.

With that said if any of you feel some of these things are overkill please offer alternative suggestions
thanks

A couple thoughts:

Onboard graphics doesn't mean you can't upgrade to a better graphics card later. In fact, most motherboards now will allow you to use the onboard AND a PCIe card simultaneously, for multiple displays.

Simply pluggin in your old drive is not likely to work right off the hop. If the old machine was working, there's a tweak you could do that would allow Windows to work on the new chipset; otherwise you need to AT LEAST do a repair install of Windows. Ideally, Windows should be reinstalled clean now and then anyway, so while you're at it, get a new drive with the new system, install your OS and software on that, and just plug in the old drive as a secondary, so you can still access your old files. In fact, if you can afford the extra money, get an SSD for your new system drive.

lilaznviper is correct, your HP's power supply is probably shit - it's likely fairly low power, and the fans in them often fail over time. There's a good chance you'd have to replace the PSU before long anyway, so just do it now and be done with it.

The only things you should really consider transferring over are your drives (HDD and optical), and even the optical... well, those often fail over time as well, and a new Lightscribe DVD-RW can be had for under $30.

keep the help comin

List of Parts
 

Case: Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case Black 3X5.25 1X3.5 5X3.5INT No PS w/ Fan Controller & Temp Display-$49.99
Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case Black 3X5.25 1X3.5 5X3.5INT No PS w/ Fan Controller & Temp Display

Power Supply: Thermaltake TR2 500W Power Supply Cable Management ATX12V V2.3 24PIN With 120mm Fan-$44.99-$10.00=$34.99
Thermaltake TR2 500W Power Supply Cable Management ATX12V V2.3 24PIN With 120mm Fan

Heatsink: Zalman CNPS10X Optima Pure COPPER/ALUM 12CM Shark Fin Fan CPU Cooler LGA1155 1156 1366 FM1 AM3-$29.99-$10.00=$19.99
Zalman CNPS10X Optima Pure COPPER/ALUM 12CM Shark Fin Fan CPU Cooler LGA1155 1156 1366 FM1 AM3

Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V Lk ATX LGA1155 Z77 DDR3 3PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 3PCI SATA3 SLI DVI HDMI DP USB3.0 Motherboard-144.99-15.00=$129.99
ASUS P8Z77-V Lk ATX LGA1155 Z77 DDR3 3PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 2PCI SATA3 SLI DVI HDMI DP USB3.0 Motherboard

Processor: Intel Core i5 3570 Quad Core Processor LGA1155 3.4GHZ Ivy Bridge 6MB Retail-$219.99
Intel Core i5 3570 Quad Core Processor LGA1155 3.4GHZ Ivy Bridge 6MB Retail

or
Intel Core i5 3470 Quad Core Processor LGA1155 3.2GHZ Ivy Bridge 6MB Retail-$199.99
Intel Core i5 3470 Quad Core Processor LGA1155 3.2GHZ Ivy Bridge 6MB Retail

Ram: Kingston KHX1600C9D3B1K2/8GX 8GB Kit 2X4GB 1600MHz DDR3 240PIN DIMM Unbuff Hmp HyperX CL9-$68.99
Kingston KHX1600C9D3B1K2/8GX 8GB Kit 2X4GB 1600MHz DDR3 240PIN DIMM Unbuff Hmp HyperX CL9

SSD: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5in SATA3 MDX Solid State Disk Flash Drive SSD-$99.49
Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5in SATA3 MDX Solid State Disk Flash Drive SSD

Now I think all that's left is the OS

anyone got any deals on windows 7 or 8 hookups?
edit* you know those special deals on windows 7 if you are a student or work in a specific field that sometimes come out and let you get windows for like $11 or something similar

If you are not Overclocking the stock heatsink is pretty good already so no need to get an aftermarket cooler.

I would sugguest a bigger SSD as 120gb will not be enough and will get filled up pretty fast.

Also suggest for 16gb of Ram as that is what i normally get people. cheap upgrade

Sorry forgot to mention I will be using a regular 500Gb harddrive from my old computer for storage, the SSD will be primarily for the OS and startup.

In regards to RAM I could always throw in a couple more 4gb sticks down the road, only 2 slots will be occupied on the mobo w/ the 8gb.

DDR3 RAM is surprisingly expensive now.. so I would say 8gb is good enough.

To Ruthless:

Might want to look into getting something other than the Samsung 840. I know you mentioned you prefer Intel, but if you're willing to go AMD, could save some money.

I would get a Corsair CX series power supply over the Thermaltake. The Corsairs come on sale on a regular basis think the CX430M and CX500M has MIR right now if that works with you.

Agreed on going with the OEM heatsink.

What budget are you working with? With Haswell around the corner I would hold off until then if possible just so you're on a current platform but other members here would have a better idea on whether that's a good way to go.

Don't forget to pricematch everything through Shopbot.

Specs aren't great on the 840: 530MB/s read but only 130MB/s write speed. Something like this one, for $50 more, has 550MB/s read and 510MB/s write speeds, for example.

I got this one for my netbook a few months ago and it just flies: Buy the Corsair Force Series3 180GB SATA Solid State Drive at TigerDirect.ca - also 500+MB/s R/W speeds.

Also: if you're going with >4GB RAM, make sure you get a 64-bit version of whatever OS you choose.

Update
 

http://i41.tinypic.com/k180nb.jpghttp://i42.tinypic.com/10cjip4.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/307lrix.jpghttp://www.zalman.com/DataFile/product/Z9P_m.jpg
Alright so I said fuck it with the old computer and got this built.

Thanks everyone for the help, and especially that special someone for their help.

CPU: Intel 3770K :whistle:
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
Mobo: ASUS P8Z77-V Lk ATX LGA1155
RAM: Kingston Hyper X 8GB
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5in SSD
+ 500GB Hitachi HD from old comp
Windows 7 Home Premium
Case: Zalman z9 Plus
PSU: XFX 650W PRO650W Core Edition Single Rail
Mouse: Cooler Master CM Storm Xornet Optical Gaming

Future Plans:
-Dedicated Video Card (even though the integrated HD 4000 graphics are serving me fairly well for now)
-Upgrade the fans (something a little quieter even though the ones that came with the case are not too loud)
-Maybe a AIO CPU Water cooler, corsair h100i if it will fit (long ways away as I don't plan on overclocking anytime soon)