Member Avatar for JimSmith

3 year old gateway 3200xl (desktop) XP Pro windows

Intel (Seabreeze T3) Motherboard R0 [Part #4000979]
Intel Celeron D 340 Processor [Part #4501084]
MEM DDR 512MB PC3200 R0 [Part #5000694]

No problems with the system and NO new hardware/software in months, then......

Received No Keyboard message on startup one day, shut down by holding power button

Tried again, same message same shut down method

Since then nothing when the power button is pressed as in not a thing, no fans, no beeps no drive activity, only thing is a litttle green light next to the cpu..

Gateway (out of warranty) suggested BestBuy(Geek Squad). They tested and said MOBO.

Long story short, New Mobo (exact as original) New CPU (exact as original) New Power Supply (400w replacing 250w)

No post or post beeps (spkr is plugged in and you can hear static if you twist the connector, so there is power).

Tried all three new/old components with each other.

Jumped pwr supplies (old/new) and both fans spun

Removed ALL other connections from MOBOs (so only power and fans plugged in, even took out memory), Still nothing

Did the remove cmos battery AND jumped to clear

Tried holding pwr switch on for 20 seconds while psu unplugged

Tried shorting the pwr switch connection on MOBO (to see if it was switch)...

Tried Mobos outside of case, still nothing...

I am at a loss ? Anyone have a suggestion to try and NO a sledhammer will not be swung (my daughters suggestion.. she really is a good kid)

Thanks in advance

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by RLHennig

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Most of the basic troubleshooting in this thread is already covered, so this note focuses on a short, practical way to separate a failing power supply from a motherboard hardware fault and on what to look for on the board itself. Thanks to for steering toward power-delivery checks and to for the capacitor pointer.

Use a multimeter and a known procedure before replacing parts. With mains connected but the machine "off", check the standby rail (purple wire to ground) for about 5V. Then force the supply on by shorting PS_ON (green) to ground and measure the main rails at the 20/24-pin connector: +12V (yellow), +5V (red), +3.3V (orange). Expect about +/-5% tolerance. Also check the PWR_OK/Power_Good (gray) — it should go high after the rails settle. If rails are within tolerance with no load, add a simple load (case fan or HDD) and re-check — some PSUs fail only under load. Do not open the PSU; only probe the low-voltage connector side and take basic safety precautions.

On the motherboard side, inspect the VRM and capacitor area closely: look for bulging or split electrolytics, brown residue, darkened PCB, or cracked solder joints. Use a DMM to check for near-short between the red (+5V) pin and ground with the PSU unplugged; a very low resistance suggests a shorted component or a blown SMD fuse near the ATX input. An ESR meter will quickly reveal weak electrolytics if available.

If the PSU checks out and you still get no life, try a confirmed-good supply or a dedicated PSU tester before condemning the board. Board-level failures (VRM MOSFETs, blown fuses, internal short) are common causes at this stage and usually need a shop or a replacement board.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

did you try it with out keyboard and mouse plugged in !

Member Avatar for JimSmith

did you try it with out keyboard and mouse plugged in !

CaperJack, yes I did, tried with just the two power plugs, spkr and cpu fan... No beeps

After posting I do believe I must have fried the new mobo and cpu, I practice static control, but ?

I guess I will be looking for a cheaper replacement mobo and cpu...

Thanks for repling, Jim

Member Avatar for RLHennig

If you're hitting that power button and you hear/see NOTHING, then you're not getting power. Anything else and you'll have SOME kind of life.
It's possible the 2nd PSU you got is faulty. I'd bet money on it.

Member Avatar for JimSmith

RLHennig,

Never thought of that, when I jumped the pwr supplies their fans both spun up ? Is that an indication the pwr spy is ok, or just that something (and maybe not enough for the pc) is being generated?

Thanks for taking the time to reply

Jim

Member Avatar for PcTestCard.com

Check the mainboard if there is any leaked capacitors.

Hope this helps!
Bill

Member Avatar for RLHennig

When you say "jumped" what exactly are you jumping? If you mean to say you're bypassing some circuit/path/switch in the PSU, you could easily be bypassing a faulty connection or anything else inside the PSU. If it's shot, it's shot - I would try a new PSU all together. Obviously make sure you're plugging in the 4pin CPU supply, mobo supply, etc. I really don't think you need to check anything else at this point, because as I said before: if you hear/see NOTHING, zilch, nada, then for one reason or another, power is not getting to the machine, and it starts with the PSU.

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