Desktop won't power on

[ComputerRepairTech]

dunno...you sure you arent missing something?

 

[Steven R]

dunno...you sure you arent missing something?

I really don't think so. I've not encountered shorts in the wiring before.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

What wires? tell me about this "I was able to take a power supply wiring and button out of a good machine to test it."

Also...just checking here but...the motherboard isnt touching the metal case right?

 

[Steven R]

What wires? tell me about this "I was able to take a power supply wiring and button out of a good machine to test it."

Also...just checking here but...the motherboard isnt touching the metal case right?

Thanks for catching this. I meant to say the wire that goes from the mother board to the power button, not power supply. So, I disconnected the native power button and plugged in one I know to be good. Sorry to cause confusion.

Yes, I double checked the mobo. It isn't touching the metal case.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

So just to make sure i got this right...

This is a different motherboard and a different power supply, you don't have any drives or ANYTHING else hooked up and it reboots before you even see post info. You have the main atx power plugged from the psu to the motherboard and the cpu thread as well. You push this new power button you just hooked up and you see the exact same symptoms as you had before with a different motherboard and different psu. Also you have tried without a cpu and it still does the reboot loop.

If thats correct then i dunno try a different power cord and outlet? Go ahead and tell us the model for that gateway

Edit: Hey when you put in the new motherboard, did you try connecting EVERYTHING back and then trying it? I did once have a gateway bios that did not show any errors it just rebooted but that was after post....but hey never know.

 

[Steven R]

So just to make sure i got this right...

This is a different motherboard and a different power supply, you don't have any drives or ANYTHING else hooked up and it reboots before you even see post info. You have the main atx power plugged from the psu to the motherboard and the cpu thread as well. You push this new power button you just hooked up and you see the exact same symptoms as you had before with a different motherboard and different psu. Also you have tried without a cpu and it still does the reboot loop.

If thats correct then i dunno try a different power cord and outlet? Go ahead and tell us the model for that gateway

Edit: Hey when you put in the new motherboard, did you try connecting EVERYTHING back and then trying it? I did once have a gateway bios that did not show any errors it just rebooted but that was after post....but hey never know.

Almost right. The steps I've taken are as you listed them. However, it doesn't reboot. It powers up for a second and powers down, as if it the power got shut off just as soon as it was turned on.

Yes, when I installed the new board, I had plugged everything back in just as it was on the old board.

 

[Steven R]

Oh, forgot: Gateway FX-6860

Have tried multiple outlets, too.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

this new psu you tried, is it a decent psu or just some pos you found laying around?

 

[Steven R]

this new psu you tried, is it a decent psu or just some pos you found laying around?

Brand new. Purchased it just for this test. Is equal in power stats as the original one so I am not worried about it not having enough juice

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

I got nothing, it doesnt make sense

 

[mr m]

Man, this is crazy weird. You covered all the bases. I've seen mangled USB ports, switches, PS's, mobo's etc cause this behavior but it appears you swapped everything.

I read where you said the system is stripped down to bare bones and still powers up/down. Maybe you need to install an HDD to load the 12V rail.

Is there a monitor hooked up? I've never seen a screen cause this issue but I don't know what else is common between both sets of parts.

It might be time to swing a chicken around over your head while you spit whiskey on the mobo!

Good luck!

 

[Steven R]

I got nothing, it doesnt make sense

Weirdest thing I've ever come across. I can only think that there is a short somewhere but I don't know where it could be.

Anyway, thank you all for your help.

 

[Steven R]

Man, this is crazy weird. You covered all the bases. I've seen mangled USB ports, switches, PS's, mobo's etc cause this behavior but it appears you swapped everything.

I read where you said the system is stripped down to bare bones and still powers up/down. Maybe you need to install an HDD to load the 12V rail.

Is there a monitor hooked up? I've never seen a screen cause this issue but I don't know what else is common between both sets of parts.

It might be time to swing a chicken around over your head while you spit whiskey on the mobo!

Good luck!

I'll try hooking up an HDD. I've had a monitor hooked up and disconnected with the same results

 

[Steven R]

Nope. Having an HDD hooked up did nothing

 

[mr m]

Are you getting power from a wall outlet, power strip or a UPS? When you tested the bare minimums was the mobo installed in a case or laying on an anti-static mat?

 

[Steven R]

Are you getting power from a wall outlet, power strip or a UPS? When you tested the bare minimums was the mobo installed in a case or laying on an anti-static mat?

I get full power from the wall outlet and I tested the cord from the wall to the psu. I have tested the mobo installed only.

For whatever this means, the last few attempts to power it up since my last post have been different. Hitting the power button now results in a chirp. One chirp only and then it all shuts down again. That chirp wasn't there before.

 

[B Trevathan]

Have you done a visual and smell inspection of both motherboards for damage like swelled caps or burnt areas?

You do have the CPU power connected also not just the 24 pin power connector?

At this point it would be good to take the motherboard out of the case and try it on the counter or a wooden table.

Can you just carefully jump the switch header on the motherboard with a screwdriver?

 

[Steven R]

Have you done a visual and smell inspection of both motherboards for damage like swelled caps or burnt areas?

You do have the CPU power connected also not just the 24 pin power connector?

At this point it would be good to take the motherboard out of the case and try it on the counter or a wooden table.

Can you just carefully jump the switch header on the motherboard with a screwdriver?

Visual and smell inspections turn up nothing suspicious. CPU power is/wasn't/is connected on the various tests.

Do you suspect the case may be shorting the system? It's worth a shot.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

try a diff psu *shrug*

edit: yes a 3rd

 

[B Trevathan]

Yes, the results sound like it is a short somewhere and in all test so far you've had it in the case right? You know the PSU shuts down for protection if it detects too high of a draw (a short).

Maybe the new motherboard was bad when you got it or even worse maybe something damaged the old board and now it has damaged the new board also.