Calling all PC/electronics nerds... I need some help...

[Ruff]

Well, PSU's go out more often than anything in a PC now since floppies are dead.

Your whine sound could be a fan that needs replaced, but it could be IN the psu too, which most people just replace the entire PSU.

PSUs are designed as a field replaceable unit. No reason to mess with one when they're so cheap, honestly (I have a gold rated 1000w that wasn't even expensive).

[WilmyWood]

I'm curious about this, though.

If it was just a CMOS, wouldn't the PC start up?

I don't get any response once the power button on the front of the PC is pressed.

Yes, there is no chance a CMOS battery will keep it from powering on. That battery only retains BIOS settings so if its dead, you'll lose those settings if the PC is powered off and unplugged.

Start with the power supply. If that doesn't fix it, return it and get your money back.

[Bronn]

I took it to TigerDirect and had them hook it up to a continuity PSU tester. All the connectors registered fine as far as power being carried through them.

Obviously, that can't tell me if there is enough voltage going through.

I don't want to buy a PSU to try because most places I have found that sell them have a no return policy, or some kind of reshelving fee if it turns out that the PSU isn't the problem.

 

After I got back from TigerDirect, I hooked everything back up and did some testing. I'm starting to fear that the motherboard is the problem. I get a solid green LED on the back of the PSU until I plug the 20 pin connection into the motherboard. That makes me fear that that is the root of my problem. It isn't worth it to me to have to buy a new motherboard.

Is there another way to test a motherboard if you can't even get it to power up?

If I hook up individual devices and don't plug in the 20 pin connector, but short the Power On pin in that connector, will that fool the other devices into starting up if they are drawing enough power?