prasantrin Posted September 23, 2010 Author Share Posted September 23, 2010 Nothing works at all. When I press the on/off button, it doesn't even feel like there's a teeny bit of power surging through. There's absolutely nothing going on there! I found a troubleshooting power supply issues document on HP/Compaq computers, so I'm going to follow it step-by-step. I figure if I do things in a logical manner, it will help me remember what I have and have not tried. There's supposed to be a flashing light at the back near the power cord, but mine isn't flashing at all. Off to troubleshoot! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
prasantrin Posted September 23, 2010 Author Share Posted September 23, 2010 Ok, I'm done. After following the troubleshooting instructions, I have come to the conclusion that the computer needs a new power supply. HP/Compaq no longer sells the model for this computer, so I looked online. Only one vendor still carries it, and it's a whopping $230. May as well buy a new computer. Oh well. It was fun trying! Thanks again for everyone's help! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheMatt Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 Ok, I'm done. After following the troubleshooting instructions, I have come to the conclusion that the computer needs a new power supply. HP/Compaq no longer sells the model for this computer, so I looked online. Only one vendor still carries it, and it's a whopping $230. May as well buy a new computer. Just to state the obvious, but did you check eBay? Maybe some Hong Kong outfit sells a knockoff for cheap? It's not too probable, I admit, given the age of the computer, but you never know. (Or, I suppose, someone selling a whole computer of the same model for cheap...maybe you could just buy it for the supply?) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
prasantrin Posted September 23, 2010 Author Share Posted September 23, 2010 Ok, I'm done. After following the troubleshooting instructions, I have come to the conclusion that the computer needs a new power supply. HP/Compaq no longer sells the model for this computer, so I looked online. Only one vendor still carries it, and it's a whopping $230. May as well buy a new computer. Just to state the obvious, but did you check eBay? Maybe some Hong Kong outfit sells a knockoff for cheap? It's not too probable, I admit, given the age of the computer, but you never know. (Or, I suppose, someone selling a whole computer of the same model for cheap...maybe you could just buy it for the supply?) eBay only has memory or a front panel switch for this computer. I can't find this model anywhere anymore. I think the model was already a year or two old when we purchased it (from Costco), so although it's only 5 years old, the model is older than that. Must have been a crappy model since all traces of it have been removed from the world. Oh well. We got more than our money's worth from it in terms of long-distance savings. I'll suggest to my mother that she have my brother build her another one. He built the computer before this dead one, so he can do it again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jas. Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Ok, I'm done. After following the troubleshooting instructions, I have come to the conclusion that the computer needs a new power supply. HP/Compaq no longer sells the model for this computer, so I looked online. Only one vendor still carries it, and it's a whopping $230. May as well buy a new computer. Oh well. It was fun trying! Thanks again for everyone's help! I'm a bit late to this party, but is this computer nonstandard in any way? Power supplies are pretty standardized, and you could get a new one for like $20-$40 at newegg or tiger direct or something. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cstuart Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Ok, I'm done. After following the troubleshooting instructions, I have come to the conclusion that the computer needs a new power supply. HP/Compaq no longer sells the model for this computer, so I looked online. Only one vendor still carries it, and it's a whopping $230. May as well buy a new computer. Just to state the obvious, but did you check eBay? Maybe some Hong Kong outfit sells a knockoff for cheap? It's not too probable, I admit, given the age of the computer, but you never know. (Or, I suppose, someone selling a whole computer of the same model for cheap...maybe you could just buy it for the supply?) eBay only has memory or a front panel switch for this computer. I can't find this model anywhere anymore. I think the model was already a year or two old when we purchased it (from Costco), so although it's only 5 years old, the model is older than that. Must have been a crappy model since all traces of it have been removed from the world. Oh well. We got more than our money's worth from it in terms of long-distance savings. I'll suggest to my mother that she have my brother build her another one. He built the computer before this dead one, so he can do it again. Sounds like you should have gotten the chicken. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
splinky Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 you should just bury the computer and pretend to know nothing. if your mother asks, you might suggest that kitty sold it for catnip money. let them work it out Quote Link to post Share on other sites
prasantrin Posted September 24, 2010 Author Share Posted September 24, 2010 I'm a bit late to this party, but is this computer nonstandard in any way? Power supplies are pretty standardized, and you could get a new one for like $20-$40 at newegg or tiger direct or something. I did more searching and found an upgraded power supply for $60. My mother's going to talk to my brother, I think, and see what he recommends. He might be able to get something cheaper (he's a computer guy), or he might just bite the bullet and get her a new computer. No one will take my word on what's wrong, so I'm perfectly willing to let the ingrates figure things out for themselves. eBay only has memory or a front panel switch for this computer. I can't find this model anywhere anymore. I think the model was already a year or two old when we purchased it (from Costco), so although it's only 5 years old, the model is older than that. Must have been a crappy model since all traces of it have been removed from the world. Oh well. We got more than our money's worth from it in terms of long-distance savings. I'll suggest to my mother that she have my brother build her another one. He built the computer before this dead one, so he can do it again. Sounds like you should have gotten the chicken. Don't tell anyone, but I don't like Costco chicken. It has a funny aftertaste (I wonder if Canadian Costco chicken is much different from American Costco chicken). But I could have bought hundreds of bags of Kettle Chips from Costco instead! you should just bury the computer and pretend to know nothing. if your mother asks, you might suggest that kitty sold it for catnip money. let them work it out Good idea! She's the one who spoiled kitty to begin with, so I know she'll let her off easy. Unlike her daughter whom she will torment forever for committing such a folly as to unplug the damn computer to save her electric bill pennies. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
prasantrin Posted October 10, 2010 Author Share Posted October 10, 2010 My mother's friend managed to find a cheap power supply for the computer, so he put it in for her. BUT. . . I haven't been around much lately, so my mother tried to set up the computer herself, but kept complaining that it wasn't working--she couldn't turn it on. I checked it, and plugged in all the cords that needed to be plugged in except the power cord because there was no power cord. All this time, she's been trying to turn on the computer, but she didn't even think the lack of a power cord might prevent it from working. I located the power cord, plugged it in, and it's working fine and dandy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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