I was installing updates on my dual booted Win XP/7 PC. A program stalled and 3 cut and pastes also stalled while doing so. I'm not sure if this was because of the update or not. But at the same time, I noticed that the update stalled also. So I went to restart the computer. While closing down 7, it started updating before shut down. After a while, I saw that it was still on that same update 1. So I hard booted it off, hoping that I could restart. After it turned off, I went to turn it back on and nothing. Not one single thing. No fan or anything. I took the case off and I see that there is one tiny little green lite on the motherboard on. So what I did was turned the power off on the back of the the psupply and the green life went off. Turned the psupple back on, and the green light came back on. So does this sound like a new power supply is needed, or did something terrible happen when I shut it down during the stalled update? I figured that the worst that could happen was that I would have to boot from a cd, but I cant even get the PC on. No beeps or anything.
7 is on C:, XP on the D:
Update:I've restarted a few times already because I prefer on OS over another at certain tasks. So i'm pretty sure that everything is in place. Is there something I might be able to try now before I buy a tester or p/s and find out that the p/s is fine?
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
It could be the power supply, but from what you've described I tend to doubt it. Check to be sure everything on your motherboard (PCI cards, video, memory, etc.) is seated in their slots firmly. The green light on the MB is indicating that there's at least some output from the P/S, and while partial failures are certainly possible, more often a bad P/S will crap out completely or start blowing fuses. You can get a P/S tester for $15 at Newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...
If you're handy with a multimeter and reasonably careful, you can measure the output voltages. You particularly want to check the "power_good" signal on the gray wire. Here's a couple of articles describing how to do this:
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11...
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ht/p...
Be aware that using the multimeter test method above is not recommended for a novice as it can be tricky (and potentially dangerous); only try this if you really know what you're doing. You might just go ahead and get another power supply and substitute it -- this will tell you for sure. Even if the old one is still good, it never hurts to keep a spare power supply handy. Good luck.
--
Update: There's not really any better way to test the power supply than what's been mentioned above. Even very experienced computer techs are reluctant to open up a power supply unit and start mucking around inside it, as you can potentially come across lethal voltages. Yeah that's right, like as in "it can possibly kill you if you're not very careful in there". Generally speaking, the wires OUTSIDE the case don't have any high voltages on them, but you still should use caution. So, you have two good options and one limited option for testing:
1) The substitution method: does the supply power a second, known good board? If so, then it's OK. If neither board works, it's bad. Does trying a new, known-good PSU work? If so, the old supply is bad. If not, there's a problem with the motherboard.
2) Check the PSU with a tester specifically made for this purpose. There are some as cheap as ten bucks. This fully and easily tests the supply - just plug it into the tester and turn it on. It either works or it doesn't. If it doesn't, replace it.
3) Check the voltages with a meter. Again, not recommended if you really don't know what you're doing. Doesn't test the PSU under load, and you must "trick" the supply to turning on without being connected to the motherboard. If you don't have a meter and would have to buy one anyway, you might as well just get the tester.
It is never a good idea to break into a Windows Update and shut the computer down. This can result in corruption of the operating system.
However, it does indeed sound like a hardware problem. Most likely the power supply.
Either your power supply died (which is common) or something on your motherboard broke. To be sure you should switch your RAM modules around or test them one by one. Also make sure all your parts like the hard drive(s) are receiving power
deep. set it a funeral.