The S.O.B. just died--help.. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

viejo gringo · 11-14-2003, 08:59 PM

I was working on an old Packard Bell c110 computer for a friend that said it did not want to work right anymore.

I deleted about 40 lbs of AOL out of it and installed 98 SE and IE6. down loaded AVG and Adaware 6. everything was running fine when I turned it off....(it has been off and on several times).

Now the monitor turns on but the tower is dead...took off the cover and checked the fuse and the cord--all ok.

The fan is not running either..did my power supply just die???

here is all I could get with Belarc:

Packard Bell C110
120 megahertz intel Petium
8.42 G hard drive.
BIOS American Megatrends 1.00.05 CPOR 04/15 96.
40 meg memeory

none of the Windows updates are installed (that was next).

so what do I do next---boat anchor???

spived2 · 11-14-2003, 09:37 PM

Sounds like the power supply could be the problem. First make sure everything is plugged in all the way and that your power cable isnt frayed or anything like that, then try a different outlet and see if you can get power.

If that doesn't work, you probably need a new power supply, but see what others have to say before you go out to get one.

poof · 11-14-2003, 09:53 PM

Well ,(Old White Man=viej... you know what I mean)

From the info you have given, (no fans, etc.) it seems as though the supply is gone. The monitor runs off a different, switched source so it will still look at you with the "(I am not doing anything, why are you staring at me) look.

BTW, when you were doing all that deleting stuff, did you maybe knock the power cord off its socket? Remember, the monitor gets its power from a different source than the power supply.

Getting rid of any pounds of aol is cool, unless, you forget to plug the cord back into the box.

poof · 11-14-2003, 10:12 PM

Veijo, before you get pissed at me for mocking the aol thing, I must say more.

You stated that you deleted/added software. That in itself is not going to stop the hardware from running. You might confuse the bios as to what it is supposed to recognise as an operating system, but, it will not shut down the electrical power coming from the cord to the power supply.
(even if it is an old at that doesn't understand a "soft off" from the os)

No fans, no lights = no power.

arch13 · 11-14-2003, 10:18 PM

PB's had a know issue with being sensative to static electricity.
I once killed one by laying it sideways on some carpet and turning it on. There where some recalls several years ago about this.
It's frustrating when they suddenly fail to post, but it's an unfortunate reality of working on computers.
Might i suggest something cheap off ebay in the way of barebones as a replacment for your freind at under 150.00.

juanvaldes · 11-15-2003, 12:01 AM

poof on the bottom right side of your post is a edit button

As for the topic, yeah sounds like dead PSU, and I second arch13 with just dump the thing and pick up a new better system for little bit. That system is what? almost 7 years old? The rest of it is bound to fall apart soon anyway...

Shauk · 11-15-2003, 06:00 AM

ok i have experience with this happening with at least 3 computers now.

the best thing you can do is hook up that psu to another motherboard to be absolutley sure that its the psu, because from what it sounds like, arch13 may be right, static electricity is a comp killer from hell. any shock travelling to the bios of that motherboard is going to render it itno a paperweight.

this happened to my roomates computer and several friends of mine at lan events.

it MIGHT be the psu, but 9/10 its wishful thinking.

viejo gringo · 11-15-2003, 06:28 AM

ARCH13, you may have hit on something with the static electrcity. I opened the case and checked the memory slots to see how hard it woild be to replace the memory---and NO I did not ground myself....as humid as it was, I thought we would have little or no static...

Lesson learned....

now it is salvage and pitch time...

Thanks to all for your help--but don't go away---I have another one I am trying to do a clean install on...

JUANVALDES---when your 70 years old--7 sounds like it is a baby..

soccerchamp76 · 11-15-2003, 09:31 PM

I would toss it. You could get a discount computer from Bestbuy that will come compelte with a Celeron processor, 128 MB ram, 40 GB HDD, monitor, and a printer for around 250-400 dollars with mail in rebates galore.

soccerchamp76 · 11-15-2003, 09:32 PM

How did he get 40MB memory in there?
Memory sticks, especially older computers, like to stick in pairs that are exactly the same in every way. Could it be 32MB memory? or 64?

arch13 · 11-15-2003, 11:16 PM

32mb stick + 8mb stick of pc100 dimms if i rememeber PB form factors correct. It's not exactly old enough to use Sims. I should know, i used to have a router box that ran off Sims!

BulletCatcher · 11-16-2003, 06:32 AM

Not trying to be a smartass but does the psu have it's own on/off switch?

viejo gringo · 11-16-2003, 07:02 PM

Bullet---I am going to check that switch idea, first thing in the morning...

Yea, this old thing came with 8mb + 32mb=40mb...hey, don't laugh----your going to get old to some day---

merkerguitars · 11-16-2003, 10:08 PM

Yeah something that old is usually not worth your time into it....lol I've had many people bring me in old gateway 2000 that where the very first pentium 1's and I always tell them not worth my time fixing. Yeah strip it for parts you can usually get a bunch of good screws/jumpers/ standoffs and what not which is quite handy

11-14-2003, 08:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
viejo gringo Registered User Location: Deep South Texas	The S.O.B. just died--help.. I was working on an old Packard Bell c110 computer for a friend that said it did not want to work right anymore. I deleted about 40 lbs of AOL out of it and installed 98 SE and IE6. down loaded AVG and Adaware 6. everything was running fine when I turned it off....(it has been off and on several times). Now the monitor turns on but the tower is dead...took off the cover and checked the fuse and the cord--all ok. The fan is not running either..did my power supply just die??? here is all I could get with Belarc: Packard Bell C110 120 megahertz intel Petium 8.42 G hard drive. BIOS American Megatrends 1.00.05 CPOR 04/15 96. 40 meg memeory none of the Windows updates are installed (that was next). so what do I do next---boat anchor???

11-14-2003, 09:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
spived2 Desert Rat Location: Arizona	Sounds like the power supply could be the problem. First make sure everything is plugged in all the way and that your power cable isnt frayed or anything like that, then try a different outlet and see if you can get power. If that doesn't work, you probably need a new power supply, but see what others have to say before you go out to get one. __________________ "This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is it vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished, as the once vital voice of the verisimilitude now venerates what they once vilified. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose vis-à-vis an introduction, and so it is my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V." - V

11-14-2003, 10:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
poof Psycho	Veijo, before you get pissed at me for mocking the aol thing, I must say more. You stated that you deleted/added software. That in itself is not going to stop the hardware from running. You might confuse the bios as to what it is supposed to recognise as an operating system, but, it will not shut down the electrical power coming from the cord to the power supply. (even if it is an old at that doesn't understand a "soft off" from the os) No fans, no lights = no power. Last edited by poof; 11-16-2003 at 02:35 PM..

11-14-2003, 10:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
arch13 Loves my girl in thongs Location: North of Mexico, South of Canada	PB's had a know issue with being sensative to static electricity. I once killed one by laying it sideways on some carpet and turning it on. There where some recalls several years ago about this. It's frustrating when they suddenly fail to post, but it's an unfortunate reality of working on computers. Might i suggest something cheap off ebay in the way of barebones as a replacment for your freind at under 150.00. __________________ Seen on an employer evaluation: "The wheel is turning but the hamsters dead" ____________________________ Is arch13 really a porn diety ? find out after the film at 11. -Nanofever

11-15-2003, 09:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
soccerchamp76 Go Cardinals Location: St. Louis/Cincinnati	I would toss it. You could get a discount computer from Bestbuy that will come compelte with a Celeron processor, 128 MB ram, 40 GB HDD, monitor, and a printer for around 250-400 dollars with mail in rebates galore. __________________ Brian Griffin: Ah, if my memory serves me, this is the physics department. Chris Griffin: That would explain all the gravity.

11-14-2003, 09:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
poof Psycho	Well ,(Old White Man=viej... you know what I mean) From the info you have given, (no fans, etc.) it seems as though the supply is gone. The monitor runs off a different, switched source so it will still look at you with the "(I am not doing anything, why are you staring at me) look. BTW, when you were doing all that deleting stuff, did you maybe knock the power cord off its socket? Remember, the monitor gets its power from a different source than the power supply. Getting rid of any pounds of aol is cool, unless, you forget to plug the cord back into the box.

11-15-2003, 12:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
juanvaldes Banned Location: shittown, CA	poof on the bottom right side of your post is a edit button As for the topic, yeah sounds like dead PSU, and I second arch13 with just dump the thing and pick up a new better system for little bit. That system is what? almost 7 years old? The rest of it is bound to fall apart soon anyway...

11-15-2003, 06:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
Shauk Confused Adult Location: Spokane, WA	ok i have experience with this happening with at least 3 computers now. the best thing you can do is hook up that psu to another motherboard to be absolutley sure that its the psu, because from what it sounds like, arch13 may be right, static electricity is a comp killer from hell. any shock travelling to the bios of that motherboard is going to render it itno a paperweight. this happened to my roomates computer and several friends of mine at lan events. it MIGHT be the psu, but 9/10 its wishful thinking.

11-15-2003, 06:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
viejo gringo Registered User Location: Deep South Texas	ARCH13, you may have hit on something with the static electrcity. I opened the case and checked the memory slots to see how hard it woild be to replace the memory---and NO I did not ground myself....as humid as it was, I thought we would have little or no static... Lesson learned.... now it is salvage and pitch time... Thanks to all for your help--but don't go away---I have another one I am trying to do a clean install on... JUANVALDES---when your 70 years old--7 sounds like it is a baby..

11-15-2003, 09:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
soccerchamp76 Go Cardinals Location: St. Louis/Cincinnati	How did he get 40MB memory in there? Memory sticks, especially older computers, like to stick in pairs that are exactly the same in every way. Could it be 32MB memory? or 64? __________________ Brian Griffin: Ah, if my memory serves me, this is the physics department. Chris Griffin: That would explain all the gravity.

11-15-2003, 11:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
arch13 Loves my girl in thongs Location: North of Mexico, South of Canada	32mb stick + 8mb stick of pc100 dimms if i rememeber PB form factors correct. It's not exactly old enough to use Sims. I should know, i used to have a router box that ran off Sims! __________________ Seen on an employer evaluation: "The wheel is turning but the hamsters dead" ____________________________ Is arch13 really a porn diety ? find out after the film at 11. -Nanofever

11-16-2003, 06:32 AM	#12 (permalink)
BulletCatcher Crazy Location: America's Outback	Not trying to be a smartass but does the psu have it's own on/off switch?

11-16-2003, 07:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
viejo gringo Registered User Location: Deep South Texas	Bullet---I am going to check that switch idea, first thing in the morning... Yea, this old thing came with 8mb + 32mb=40mb...hey, don't laugh----your going to get old to some day---

11-16-2003, 10:08 PM	#14 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Yeah something that old is usually not worth your time into it....lol I've had many people bring me in old gateway 2000 that where the very first pentium 1's and I always tell them not worth my time fixing. Yeah strip it for parts you can usually get a bunch of good screws/jumpers/ standoffs and what not which is quite handy __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985