Barnett Computer Services
Troubleshooting Internal Connections
Turn off your computer. Turn off any attached peripherals; this can include the monitor, keyboard, printer, external drives, scanners or plotters. Disconnect all AC power cables from their outlets. Check all internal connections. Loose or improperly connected cables can be the source of problems with your computer. Check all your ribbon cable connections and make sure they are snug. Check all pins and make sure none are bent.
Remember, unless you are a trained professional, do not open the power supply. They’re is enough power in there to kill you even if it’s unplugged. Check all your cards and make sure they are seated properly.
Cards inside a computer have a tendency to work their way out of their slots. When things heat up, they expand, when they cool down, they contract. When you turn your computer on, the hardware heats up. When you turn your computer off, the hardware contracts. This constant heating up and cooling down, expanding and contracting, tends to make cards work their way up out of their slots. Also in recent history, I’ve seen chassis manufacturers who are getting a little sloppy about staying within specs when they manufacture the computer chassis. This causes extra pressure to be placed on the card at the front end where it screws into the chassis and tends to make the back end of the card pop out over time.
Take the memory out and reseat it. Check your CPU fan. If the CPU fan is dead, a CPU can overhead in less time than it takes to boot up. If the CPU does overheat, serious damage can occur. Not only look for a dead CPU fan, look for a CPU fan that is barely turning or is spinning irregularly. This can be a sign it’s wearing out and if the fan isn’t turning fast enough, the CPU can overheat.