Computer Will Not Start
If your computer will not start, meaning it seems like it is dead or partially dead, then you probably have a bad power supply. There are, of course, other components that can cause a no power issue, but usually we need to start at the source and check the power supply first. The power supply is at the rear of the PC, usually near the top of the case, and it is what getscomplex plugged into the wall or power strip. If you open the case, you will notice the power supply is more inside. You will have a main power connector that is either a 20-pin or a 24-pin. You will also have multiple connectors that go to various components in the case, like the hard drive, optical drives and sometimes even the video card.
There are a couple of ways to test the power supply. The easiest is to purchase a cheap Power Supply Tester
You can also try running a jump from the PS_ON pin–the one with the green wire to a black ground lead. A paperclip can be used for this test.
Power off the computer, disconnect the power supply from the wall outlet. Insert one end of the paperclip down into the space where the green wire attaches to the power supply plug. Do the same for the black wire using the other end of the paper clip.
If the computer fires up, then you have a bad power supply. You can buy new power supplies straight from the manufacturer or go through your local computer repair shop. If you know exactly what type you need, you can purchase them online, as well.
Resolution Summary:
Check the power supply with a power supply tester.
You can also use a multimeter.
Jump the PS-ON lead to a ground wire.
Related Info:
Most of the computer viruses that were written in the early and mid '80s were limited to self-reproduction and had no specific damage routine built into the code (research viruses[3]). That changed when more and more programmers became acquainted with virus programming and released viruses that manipulated or even destroyed data on infected computers. It then became necessary to think about antivirus software to fight these malicious viruses.
There are competing claims for the innovator of the first antivirus product. Possibly the first publicly documented removal of a computer virus in the wild was performed by Bernd Fix in 1987.[4][5]
Fred Cohen, who published one of the first academic papers on computer viruses in 1984[6], started to develop strategies for antivirus software in 1988[7] that were picked up and continued by later antivirus software developers.
Also in 1988 a mailing list named VIRUS-L[8] was initiated on the BITNET/EARN network where new viruses and the possibilities of detecting and eliminating viruses were discussed. Some members of this mailing list like John McAfee or Eugene Kaspersky later founded software companies that developed and sold commercial antivirus software.
Before Internet connectivity was widespread, viruses were typically spread by infected floppy disks. Antivirus software came into use, but was updated relatively infrequently. During this time, virus checkers essentially had to check executable files and the boot sectors of floppy and hard disks. However, as internet usage became common, initially through the use of modems, viruses spread throughout the Internet.[9]
Over the years antivirus software had to check many more types of files (and not only executable files) for several reasons:
- Powerful macros used in word processor applications, such as Microsoft Word, presented a further risk. Virus writers started using the macros to write viruses embedded within documents. This meant that computers could now also be at risk from infection by documents with hidden attached macros as programs.[10]
- Later email programs, in particular Microsoft Outlook Express and Outlook, were vulnerable to viruses embedded in the email body itself. Now, a user's computer could be infected by just opening or previewing a message.[11]
As always-on broadband connections became the norm and more and more viruses were released, it became essential to update virus checkers more and more frequently. Even then, a new zero-day virus could become widespread before antivirus companies released an update to protect against it.
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