Dead Computer: Old Age, or Accidental Manslaughter?

[BaltimoreTerp]

Ok, I decided that since I haven't opened up my old desktop in years, today I would take a look inside, vacuum out the case and make sure all the connections were still tight.

After doing that, I went to turn it on, and nothing happened.

This is an HP Pavilion MX50, nine years old, that has worked as recently as the last time I turned it on, which would have been a couple months ago. And when I plug in the cord to the back, the power indicator light flashes on, than off immediately.

Now, I stupidly decided not to turn it on before I vacuumed, so I could see if it worked in case I messed something up, so I don't have a baseline.

Basically, what I want to know is the likelihood that this is simply the computer (or just part of it) dying from old age, or if it could have been something I did and if it is possible to fix it.

I understand that this isn't a lot of information to go on, so I'm expecting a detailed checklist; just some suggestions to try.

It isn't an important computer; I never use it anymore. But it would be nice to have as a backup system, especially since am not exactly in the market for a new PC.

[scOtt]

This is a backup, right? You haven't been usin the same computer for 9 years, right?

You need to unplug and re-plug EVERY connector. Probably several times each. Also pull all your boards, video, modem, RAM especially, whatever. Use a pencil eraser across all the connections.

If that doesn't work, the power supply is the likeliest culprit. But it could be anything, mother board, chip, anything.

[theonestevewh]

Did you use a regular vacuum to clean the inside of the case?

If so, this could have easily fried a number of your internal components, including the mobo. They make special portable vacuums for electronics.

http://www.computerhope.com/cleaning.htm

This site has good cleaning tips.

[BaltimoreTerp]

This is a backup, right? You haven't been usin the same computer for 9 years, right?

My parents have an older Pavilion they've been using for almost eleven. I'm not kidding; still has Windows 98 and everything.

It's a piece of crap that I've been demanding they get rid of for 4-5 years, but it still works.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Did you use a regular vacuum to clean the inside of the case?

If so, this could have easily fried a number of your internal components, including the mobo.

*Sigh* Oh well. Thanks.

[scOtt]

Did you use a regular vacuum to clean the inside of the case?

If so, this could have easily fried a number of your internal components, including the mobo. They make special portable vacuums for electronics.

http://www.computerhope.com/cleaning.htm

This site has good cleaning tips.

Didn't know that. Tho, thankfully, I never clean mine. I leave at least one side of the case always off. From my work experience... if you enclose a computer on all 6 sides, heat builds and builds. The better the seal the worse the heat. I'd rather let dust and muck build up than heat.

[PitchingWins]

Did you bump the power switch on the back... The one with the 0 / | on it? When you push the on button in the front, any fan noise at all? Is the outlet to which it is plugged in switched? Tried a different power outlet? Did you leave it plugged into the wall, then plugged it into the computer? ( thats a big no no )

[BaltimoreTerp]

Did you bump the power switch on the back... The one with the 0 / | on it? When you push the on button in the front, any fan noise at all? Is the outlet to which it is plugged in switched? Tried a different power outlet? Did you leave it plugged into the wall, then plugged it into the computer? ( thats a big no no )

Not on my model...No...No...Yes...Possibly...

[theonestevewh]

Didn't know that. Tho, thankfully, I never clean mine. I leave at least one side of the case always off. From my work experience... if you enclose a computer on all 6 sides, heat builds and builds. The better the seal the worse the heat. I'd rather let dust and muck build up than heat.

I have a vacuum for electronics but never use it, to be honest. I use compressed air to clean my PCs.

Heat in PCs is all about air flow. With a well designed case and good cable management, heat should not be an issue for any general PC user. Also, a good fan and good thermal compound on the CPU/GPU doesn't hurt either.

One hint to decrease the amount of dust, with or without a side panel on, is to raise the PC off the ground/carpet if it isn't all ready. You'd be surprised how much this can help.

Oh, and when dust and muck build up, so does heat!

[scOtt]

I have a vacuum for electronics but never use it, to be honest. I use compressed air to clean my PCs.

Heat in PCs is all about air flow. With a well designed case and good cable management, heat should not be an issue for any general PC user. Also, a good fan and good thermal compound on the CPU/GPU doesn't hurt either.

One hint to decrease the amount of dust, with or without a side panel on, is to raise the PC off the ground/carpet if it isn't all ready. You'd be surprised how much this can help.

Oh, and when dust and muck build up, so does heat!

True. Especially when you smoke as much as I do.

[waroriole]

Did you plug it in? Did you push the power button in the front of the computer?

That's about all of the suggestions I've got.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Did you plug it in? Did you push the power button in the front of the computer?

That's about all of the suggestions I've got.

*Smacks forehead* D'oh!

[Sanfran327]

For the heat questions... I have a 3 year old Pavillion. It's a very nice computer and has plenty of power.

However, the fan seems to max out pretty often. Every time I sync my iTouch, the fan sounds as if it can't run fast enough.

Lately, I've been closing all applications when I walk away from the computer when I used to leave tons of stuff open all the time (well, not tons, but an IE browser or two - typically with a few tabs each - and iTunes).

I dust/vaccum a lot, but have poor cable managment. The computer is off the ground by a few inches.

Any ideas?

[theonestevewh]

For the heat questions... I have a 3 year old Pavillion. It's a very nice computer and has plenty of power.

However, the fan seems to max out pretty often. Every time I sync my iTouch, the fan sounds as if it can't run fast enough.

Lately, I've been closing all applications when I walk away from the computer when I used to leave tons of stuff open all the time (well, not tons, but an IE browser or two - typically with a few tabs each - and iTunes).

I dust/vaccum a lot, but have poor cable managment. The computer is off the ground by a few inches.

Any ideas?

Most PCs come with CPU fan speed regulation that speeds up the CPU fan as the CPU temperature increases. Single core processors max out very often now-a-days. Dual-core processors max out pretty often too but for shorter periods of time. To monitor CPU usage, open up Task Manager (using CTRL + ALT + DEL), go to the Performance tab, and watch the CPU usage. So, next time you sync your iTouch, watch the CPU usage and, if it's high, you know that's the reason the fan is spinning faster. It's normal. During gaming or anything CPU intensive, fan speed increasing is a good thing albeit annoying sometimes.