Need some help

[Taerran]

So, about a month ago, my little brother was using my computer. He logged in, checked the weather, and logged off, and shut the computer down. Since then, if I plug it in and try to turn it on, everything starts running... for about 4 seconds. Then it shuts off as though someone pulled the plug. There is power going to my motherboard just fine, the lights come on and everything. Someone told me my power supply wasn't good enough, someone I thought was reliable, up until I bought an 850w for about $180, just to find out it was no help. Does anyone have any ideas to what the problem is?

[carter]

Wow, that is kind of a tricky one, try starting in safemode and do a system restore from before he touched it... If that doesn't work, format it?

[Spastic]

Moved to the help forum.

[Taerran]

Thats the thing. It only stays on for about 4 seconds. I can't even GET to safemode.

[Axidos]

While your computer is starting up it will go through several DOS screens - black background, white text. If any of them contain distinct information, what does it get up to doing/saying?
E.G. the first screen might start scanning for master and slave devices.

Most of them will display some kind of message such as "Press F9 to enter setup" somewhere. What I want you to do is follow this option for the earliest screen possible, if it's possible at all. It doesn't matter which screen, which key, what you're going to enter, just follow the message and press the key. You can keep the key held down while waiting for the screen, it will not do any harm.

Does your computer still shut down after this?

[Taerran]

I do not get to any screen. The computer is on, for 4 seconds. The lights come on
one Mississippi
two Mississippi
three Mississippi
four Mississippi
Computer shuts off.

There is no DOS screen, no BSOD, no nothing.

[Spastic]

Is your motherboard touching the metal of your case? It could be shutting off because of that, I can't really think of another reason (other than PSU but you said you got a new one) that would be causing this other than some sort of short.

[SODA]

If your processor's heat sink fan isn't functioning it could be that.

[carter]

If your processor's heat sink fan isn't functioning it could be that.

Unless it has a built in "safty" feature(I don't know, my heat sink fan has always worked) I don't think it would be overheating in 4 seconds... throw in your recovery disk?

[OoooF4LiFe]

Can you hear it access the harddrives before it turns off? Does the motherboard beep at all before it turns off?

Only reasons I can think it would completely be killing it's power is that
1. The motherboard isn't grounded
2. The CPU heatsink isn't working, and the CPU is overheating, and turning itself off (doubt this one, as it's turning off in 4 seconds apperantly)
3. Power supply is acting up.
4. Can't hurt to crack open the case, and just double check every connection (unplug, and replug in everything).


Alot of these have been mentioned before, along with a "well it's always worked before" comment aswell. Also realize that your computer hasn't normally shorted itself out before. So something is odviously wrong.

[Beefynick]

Since you said your brother was going to check the weather I assume there was bad weather (i.e. a storm) coming and you were checking to see where it was. If this is the case, is there a surge protector on your computer? If not you may have fried a connection. I heave heard of this happening to a few computers that have received a power surge.

[Taerran]

No, it wasn't because of the weather, it was sunny out last time it was shut off. Yes, it was connected up to a surge protector.

I haven't checked to see if my motherboard was touching the case incorrectly or not, tomorrow I will take it all apart and start over. As far as the parts themselves, I just built this computer last fall. Its almost brand new. And yes, it's all compatible ;)

[Taerran]

So, none of it worked. Everything is set up as it should be, and yet my computer still will only stay active for 4 seconds. I don't get it. I took a video of it, showing the insides and what happens. As soon as I find my damn USB cord for my camera, I'll put it on youtube for you.

[Axidos]

Nobody here seems to be able to help, and this is a pretty serious issue. Take it to a full-on tech support forum like TechSupportGuy (http://www.techguy.org/), in the "Operating Systems" section (under your OS of course).

[Beefynick]

It sounds like you will have to get a new computer because a circuit was fried.

I would take it to another forum though, maybe they can give you some better news. We are pretty good with computer issues here, but we cannot solve everything.