# Serious problem with my computer: It wont turn on **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 10, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-problem-with-my-computer-it-wont-turn-on/174338 "2003-05-10T16:58:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WenisPinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4da419/32.png) [@WenisPinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WenisPinkle)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-problem-with-my-computer-it-wont-turn-on/174338/1 "2003-05-10T16:58:40Z")
This is really weird… I own a Compaq (I think i bought it around Christmas time in 1999) that has always worked greay. About a week or two ago it suddenly shut off by itself. Just yesterday it shut off again and now it wont turn on! Whenever it is plugged into a power source it makes a very high pitched whining noise… similar to that of the electron gun in a TV, except louder. I took off my computers case and tried to locate the sound and it appears to be comming from the power supply. Could it be a blown power supply or something? If so, how can i replace the power supply in the Compaq casing? This problem is very urgent because all of my schoolwork is done on my computer and I need to access my files. Anyone know what the problem is? Thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-problem-with-my-computer-it-wont-turn-on/174338/2 "2003-05-10T17:14:13Z")
Power supplies are fairly easy to replace. Just unplug everything from it, unbolt from the case, and replace in reverse order. Just to be safe, label each thing you unplug. Take the old supply to a computer shop to make sure you get the right replacement. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-problem-with-my-computer-it-wont-turn-on/174338/3 "2003-05-10T17:18:47Z")
The sound you hear in a TV isn’t the electron gun, which is DC, but the flyback transformer. In any event, it’s almost certainly a bad power supply. ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-problem-with-my-computer-it-wont-turn-on/174338/4 "2003-05-10T17:34:03Z")
Get a heavy duty power supply while you are at it. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-problem-with-my-computer-it-wont-turn-on/174338/5 "2003-05-11T20:50:23Z")
Verify that the new PS will work on Compaqs. They might be one of the companies that use a standard ATX power connector but with the wires connected differently. If this is true, you might have to buy a PS from Compaq for more $$$. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-problem-with-my-computer-it-wont-turn-on/174338/6 "2003-05-11T20:58:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ftg \* > \*\*Verify that the new PS will work on Compaqs. They might be one of the companies that use a standard ATX power connector but with the wires connected differently. If this is true, you might have to buy a PS from Compaq for more $$$. \*\* Oh, that’s almost certainly the case. Compaq is notorious for their use of proprietary parts and wiring configurations. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-problem-with-my-computer-it-wont-turn-on/174338/7 "2003-05-11T21:13:39Z")
If it’s urgent and you can’t get it repaired in time, you can always remove your hard disk and attach it to some other computer to retrieve your data. Once you replace the power supply or any other faulty part(s), you can put your hard disk back into your computer. ---
**Author:** ![lorinada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@lorinada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorinada)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-problem-with-my-computer-it-wont-turn-on/174338/8 "2003-05-11T21:14:03Z")
From what I understand, Compaqs are also notorious for having short-lived power supplies. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-problem-with-my-computer-it-wont-turn-on/174338/9 "2003-05-11T22:05:43Z")
Hmm. You should match it to your model Compaq, try [ebay.com](http://ebay.com) for one but shucks, that does take time. Well, let this be a lesson on backing up data. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-problem-with-my-computer-it-wont-turn-on/174338/10 "2003-05-11T22:28:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > \*\*Well, let this be a lesson on backing up data. \*\* What’s backing up got do do with the price of rice, in this case? His hard drive is fine, it’s the PS that’s shot. Having a backup wouldn’t have done him any good–how would he use it with no power? ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-problem-with-my-computer-it-wont-turn-on/174338/11 "2003-05-11T23:25:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Q.E.D. \* > \*\*What’s backing up got do do with the price of rice, in this case? His hard drive is fine, it’s the PS that’s shot. Having a backup wouldn’t have done him any good–how would he use it with no power? \*\* I believe Handy meant If he had his schoolwork backed up, he could at least use another computer to access and work on it. It’s not that his work is lost, it’s that it isn’t easily accessible right now. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-problem-with-my-computer-it-wont-turn-on/174338/12 "2003-05-11T23:29:59Z")
It’s perfectly accessible. He just needs to move his hard drive from the dead unit to a working one, installed as a slave or a secondary master. Granted, it’s not as conveniently accessible as a backup on CD-R would be, but still. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2003, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-problem-with-my-computer-it-wont-turn-on/174338/13 "2003-05-12T14:21:04Z")
“I believe Handy meant If he had his schoolwork backed up, he could at least use another computer to access and work on it.” Yep, my clients do this alot. Plus, there is really no way to know if the HD is still functioning because the power supply can sometimes take it with it. This does not always happen, but I have read of it happening. ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2003, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-problem-with-my-computer-it-wont-turn-on/174338/14 "2003-05-12T17:01:19Z")
As other folks said, replacing a PS is quick and easy, If you check with your more reputable computer resellers they may even know if the compaq will take a generic PS or need a compaq ps. If you don’t need a super duper cool one you can probably get it purchased and replaced for under $40.