PC switches off and does not start again

and the cables are firmly fit in. Have recently fixed a new 4-way multi plug socket.
When i switch off the power supply, the sizzling sound continues for a few seconds,diminishes, and then becomes a little louder, like the sound of a spark, and then stop. am quite amateur in IT...what do u mean by "lead"? Thanks :)

Computer working OK before you fixed the Power Strip. If it wasn't try this.

A common reason for shutting down and locking up or freezing is the CPU overheating.

Faulty Fans, Dust and Grime build up on the Heatsink restricting air flow. I would give the inside of the case a blowout with compressed air. When blowing air through the fans make sure that you physically stop them from spinning, as they may generate power and blow something up. Then remove the Heatsink, giving it a thorough clean and reseat the CPU applying new CPU grease. If the Fans spin freely when you give them a spin they are probably OK. If there is resistance replace them.

Clean the golden edge of each memory stick with a soft rubber, remembering not to touch the golden edge of the memory stick. Check with one stick at a time, remembering to disconnect the power from the PC.
Also check Capacitors around the CPU for swelling or bulging.

A faulty PSU can also cause it. Fluctuating power is no good for the motherboard. Try another one if available or replace it.

Video Memory Stress Test 1.4
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Video_Memory_Stress_Test__d5896.html

Download SpeedFan and check the Voltages and Temps.

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

< cut'n paste didn't work > ;)

happened.My little bro,not aware of the prob, has switched on the PC and smoke,accompanied by a burnt smell,came out from teh PSU.Though he immediately deconnected the powersupply,i know damage has alreday been done but.. oh God, u think my PC is totally lost??? Or is there still hope for repair? I really need ur feedback!!!

Get a good one this time around, it will cost a little more but at least it will last a lot longer. Get a power supply of around the
580 to 780 watt range. PLEASE PLEASE TAKE OFF THE POWER SUPPLY CABLE NOW before something catches fire..

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

I've seen a 2 day old PS die but it put Mains Voltage into the case and out over the network connections and fried all the equipment attached to the Network Cables. It happens so you just have to live with it.

When power goes out that means that something has happened to the Power Grid. What generally happens is that you get a surge as it goes out and this is what destroys or damages things. Also when the power is returned there is a Large Spike that does a lot of damage as well. So if the power failing didn't take out the PS the power returning does or at least finished off the job and wrecks things. Not just computer equipment but anything connected to the Mains. Things like Washing Machines with Capacitor Start Motors are not affected well the motor at least because the Capacitor acts like a filter and filters the spike. However the electronic controls and other items can be damaged rendering it unworkable.

If you have a marginal Power Supply to begin with any long use can take it down or if you live in an area with Dirty Mains Power this can destroy things very quickly.

I've seen new Antec PS's die in several days and these are the good ones. I've seen a car hit a power pole bringing the High Voltage into contact with the Low Voltage Mains which has set a house on fire and when the PS was replaced the computer worked and continued to for 3 years till it was decommissioned. That was 33,000 Volts AC being pumped into the Mains Grid of 240 Volts AC. Conventional wisdom insists that the computer should have been destroyed but because of the Antec PS it wasn't though the PS was not even worth Scrap Value.

Unless you generate your own power on fail safe systems Mains Power can be dirty with lots of spikes and other rubbish contained in the nominal Normal Ratings. Things like Street Lights are turned on & off by sending a ripple down the lines this is a Spike that is generated to a set level and duration. Then when you add in normal domestic appliances which have motors like Fridges & Freezers every time that the Motors start there is a drop in available power for a moment till things settle down. When the same motors switch off there is a Over Voltage available again for a very short time.

So unless the computer is totally isolated from the Mains on it's own Power Line without any other devices plugged in the mains will be dirty and can do damage to anything connected to it.

The replacement PS that you get needs to be either a 450 or higher Wattage rating if it is a normal Unbranded one or a 350 of Higher Wattage ratting if it is something like a Antec. The difference in ratings is that the cheap ones are measured in Peek Values and the Good Ones are measured in constant feed Rating. So any PS can provide a fairly decent Peek Value for very short periods of time but not many can provide that ratting constantly. This is how the cheap PS's get such high ratings while the good ones seem lower powered for more money.

I hope that helps to explain why electrical things break for no apparent reason.

Col

Low quality PSU's may provide power, but they may also cause a lot of PC problems. PSU's of questionable quality are'nt capable of providing steady, clean power to your computer?s components. Power fluctuations can cause any of your computer?s parts to malfunction, and in some cases, power irregularities can also damage your components.

In addition, as you add more parts to your computer, you apply more stress to the PSU and increase the chances of intermittent problems that are difficult to pinpoint. In these situations, PSUs are often to blame, but because users rarely associate problems with their cheap PSU's.

Lower quality PSU's also often run at higher temperatures than better quality PSU's, and as a result, they can cause your system as a whole to run hotter. Over an extended period of time, that extra heat can shorten the lifespan of your other components.

You should consider all of these possibilities when you?re considering an inexpensive PSU. The manufacturer is cutting costs, and one of the most common ways to slash costs is including an inferior PSU.

Running your DVD for long hours may have contributed but I dont think that it was entirely to blame. I think it is just the fact that you had a low quality PSU. I pointed out in my first post that it was probably the PSU.