Dead computer - will not power on

[Disney Addicted]

My brother installed security software on it last night and played around with iTunes trying to get stuff added to an iPad... (I already had ms security essentials on it and happy with that).

After he left, iTunes refused to sync with my DD and DS's iPod Touches, or the iPad. Kept giving an error message that meant the Apple Mobile Device (software? extension?) had to be stopped and restarted. I followed the directions but it did not resolve the issue.

So I restarted my computer. Big mistake! I watched the blue Welcome window load but then change into a black screen, and eventually (after awhile) show an error message of "DWM.EXE - the application was unable to start correctly". DWM is Desktop Windows Manager. So not good, right?

After a few attempts I hauled out my Windows 7 disc. I could not get the computer to boot to the disc, although did boot to Safe Mode a couple of times.

I was fuming. I had a late night/early morning and it was late again. I had already banged (ok, fine - smashed) the keyboard a few times in fustration. I decided to drink some tea, have a slice of b-day cake (ironically my brother's), go to bed & read a few chapters of Twilight and regroup in the morning. And yeah - I blame my brother...

NOW my computer will not even power on! Software is fine. I can fix software! Heck, I'll back up, reformat my main drive, reinstall all my software - no matter that it's a pain. Whatever to get my computer running. But hardware? (groan) I don't even know where to begin. And the computer company I deal with are closed today.

I'm guessing the power supply. Could it be worse? Could a motherboard issue cause the computer not to power up? The power supply can be removed & replaced, right? Those should be items in stock. A motherboard they would probably have to order and with 2 weeks before Christmas, who the heck knows when that will arrive!

 

[Nayan]

On the back of the computer where you plug it in there should be a grate with a fan. Turn on the computer and see if the fan comes on. If it does, then your power supply (ps) is good. If not, then you need a new one and yes, it can be replaced easily.

I can help with other steps/things to check if needed.

 

[furb & dez]

I would agree, first check the power supply fan. (if the computer "turns on" but the fan doesn't turn on, turn it off immediately or you'll cook your computer!)

Can you move your computer to another room and check the power there?

 

[Disney Addicted]

On the back of the computer where you plug it in there should be a grate with a fan. Turn on the computer and see if the fan comes on. If it does, then your power supply (ps) is good. If not, then you need a new one and yes, it can be replaced easily.

I can help with other steps/things to check if needed.

Thanks for the reply Nayan!

I'm fairly certain the fan was not coming on when I was pressing the power button. The computer was completely silent - no noise whatsoever. I tried turning the computer after switching the switch (off and on again) at the back of the computer. And I unplugged the power cord for a few seconds, put it back in and tried powering up again.

I'm not home right now, but I will try again once I get there. I'll sure be happy if it's just the power supply!

My husband was suggesting I open the computer and disconnect everything from the power supply and then see if the power starts up. He thinks if something else inside has "died", that it could stop the power supply from turning on. Is that possible? Truth be told, I'd rather let him do that when he gets home. He's the electronic technician. I'm more afraid of accidentially letting a static shock get in there and frying something. Sheesh... and to think as a teen I had no quibbles with opening my mom's computer and wiring up an old 300 baud modem to it somehow so I could connect to a BBS. Hardware was much more expensive back then than it is now if I screwed up.

 

[MarkF0wle]

Most power supply units now days will have a LED at the rear that will light up with the PSU is receiving power & operational. If you do have a light & it is not on try the usual - different plug socket, different power cable, check the fuse, etc, etc.. If you do have a light & it is not on after verifying all the above then continue on..

The fan not spinning is an indication that the PSU isn't turning however isn't automatically the problem. For example the on/off button could be faulty, also if the motherboard has an issue then this can also cause this problem as the button feeds to the motherboard to tell the PSU to turn on.

I would suggest before you do though if you have the ability to swap a new one in from a different computer. No sense spending money to replace something that isn't at fault.

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[photo_chick]

While dwm.exe is a file that win 7/ vista runs, it's also used as the name of a virus that can brick your machine.

 

[Lehuaann]

Hmmmm... you said your brother installed 'security software' - what kind and where did he get it?

 

[rock_doctor]

Pull out the power supply (held in by 4 screws in the back around the fan opening) and unplug the motherboard and all drives. Take it into best buy and try to match it. Install it in the reverse process that you removed it. Try to pay attention to the types of plugs that go into everything. Routing the wires from the new power supply is difficult but just keep everything from being pinched or touching anything that could damage the wire.

I have replaced tons of power supplies and not a one had the fan running or the led light on when they were dead. I would start there. Just pay attention to what you are doing and do it in bright light. I suspect the 5v leg of the power supply died and that is why you were having issues with your iPods and since that is also the control voltage once it starts going it will also not control the drives anymore. Will give the impression the drive was failing.

 

[jsmith]

If the computer will not past POST (power on self test) it is not a software issue. The two most likely culprits-as others have indicated the power supply or motherboard failure. Power supply is easy to fix-motherboard not so much.

 

[LilyWDW]

First thought was power supply. They are pretty easy to replace. You just have to be sure everything gets hooked back up the right way.

If it is not that, then I would say motherboard as well. That is a whole different situation and, while I have installed a few (we build computers for ourselves and friends instead of buying out of the box), not nearly as easy as a power supply.

Either way, I would find out WHAT the brother installed onto your computer and why. I don't let many people on my system because I don't want them putting junk on it.

 

[Colleen27]

As others have said, start with the power supply. That's easy and relatively inexpensive to replace, and they do tend to go bad from time to time. I've replaced several and often weird issues with USB devices and/or internal drives are a pre-death symptom.

If it is the motherboard that gets trickier, but still not impossible or ridiculously expensive. The telephone/DSL line post in our yard was hit by lightning over the summer which fried DH's motherboard. I spent just under $200 to replace the board and upgrade the processor while I was in there, which doesn't even come close to what I'd spend on a replacement machine with similar specs.

 

[Disney Addicted]

OP here. Thanks to everyone! I have no idea what was wrong, but it seems the computer just wanted a rest (I usually leave it on several days in a row).

My husband sat down to look at it yesterday and it powered up no problem. It's been restarted and even shut down completely a few times since and has had no issues starting up. I don't know why it wouldn't start up Sunday night and Monday morning, but it is now!

Now I need to figure out why iTunes has quit syncing with the iPods. Santa purchased an MP3 player for DS7 and needs to install music on it by next week!

While dwm.exe is a file that win 7/ vista runs, it's also used as the name of a virus that can brick your machine.

Well, that's interesting. I'll look into it. Thanks for letting me know.

Hmmmm... you said your brother installed 'security software' - what kind and where did he get it?

I'm at my parents' house again right now and do not recall off the top of my head. I know he purchased the software at either Future Shop or Best Buy in any case and that it came with 5 licenses. It was not software downloaded from the internet.

 

[Colleen27]

OP here. Thanks to everyone! I have no idea what was wrong, but it seems the computer just wanted a rest (I usually leave it on several days in a row).

My husband sat down to look at it yesterday and it powered up no problem. It's been restarted and even shut down completely a few times since and has had no issues starting up. I don't know why it wouldn't start up Sunday night and Monday morning, but it is now!

Keep in mind in case it happens again, this does point in the direction of the power supply starting to go bad rather than something more serious.

 

[Disney Addicted]

Keep in mind in case it happens again, this does point in the direction of the power supply starting to go bad rather than something more serious.

Yes, thank you! It rests my mind. A power supply issue is so much easier to deal with.

 

[Kitzka]

I'm glad it worked out! computers are the best and worst thing to happen to my life lol