I think I have a rather serious problem...

[JonRB]

SS2. said:

One of these:

Blimey, where did you find that? In a museum?

[SS2.]

LOL - its near enough for m1..

[m1spw]

So its probably going to be a big metal shiny box that I can just unplug yeh?

Does this have everything on, including files and emails and stuff like that?

This has taught me to back more often - my most recent back up is from April last year

[SS2.]

m1spw said:

So its probably going to be a big metal shiny box that I can just unplug yeh? Does this have everything on, including files and emails and stuff like that? This has taught me to back more often - my most recent back up is from April last year

Yup, and it will have a flat (probably grey in colour) cable plugged in the back plus a power lead (yellow, red, black cables). Likely to be below the CD drive..

[m1spw]

SS2. said:

m1spw said: So its probably going to be a big metal shiny box that I can just unplug yeh? Does this have everything on, including files and emails and stuff like that? This has taught me to back more often - my most recent back up is from April last year Yup, and it will have a flat (probably grey in colour) cable plugged in the back plus a power lead (yellow, red, black cables). Likely to be below the CD drive..

Ok, thanks. I'll do it tomorrow, I can't be bothered with ripping the case open, and I'll wait till I've got the little USB connector thingummy.

[JonRB]

m1spw said:

So its probably going to be a big metal shiny box that I can just unplug yeh?

That's right, with two connectors. One is long and often grey (as SS2 says) and connected to a ribbon cable (which is data), and the other a smaller plug with 4 wires (which is power). You'll notice exactly the same connectors in your enclosure (should you buy it) and it is not rocket science to see how to connect these in the enclosure. They'll even be keyed so you cannot plug them in the wrong way round.

m1spw said:

Does this have everything on, including files and emails and stuff like that?

Yep. Everything, unless it is on a DVD or CD of course, but your laptop will read those anyway so that isn't an issue.

Edit: BTW, it's not a "big metal shiny box", it's around 15cm by 10cm - don't want you disconnecting the PSU by mistake.

>> Edited by JonRB on Saturday 7th January 21:13

[falcemob]

If you know anyone with another PC you could take the HD out of yours and run it on the second PC as a slave drive to get the files you want.

[LongQ]

A week in a cupboard is not usually long enough for the gremlins to cause havoc.

Firstly try a different power lead.

Some machines require the power switch to be held 'down' for a couple of seconds or more before they will re-boot if they have been shut down in an obscure way - hibernate for example. Have you tried all the possibilities? If you plug it in do you get any power lights at all

Cases will normally come apart quite easily AS LONG AS YOU HAVE SOME IDEA ABOUT HOW THEY FIT TOGETHER. Often it will come down to one or two retaining screws and some clever plastic (or metal) clips based on pressure points and designed into the covers or chassis.

If you don't know what a disk housing looks like don't go inside until you find someone who does. Watch what they do and learn. Make notes. See what is what. Then you can play to your heart's content second time around.

Be aware of the possible effects of static discharge and touching internal components. You can get away with a lot without being over careful BUT it is worth being circumspect about the actions you take.

If you do need to go inside, before you start to rip things apart just check that all leads that seem to have something to connect to are in fact fitted and working (there may be some spare connectors evident, they can be ignored.) Many is the time I have known a loose, but apparently fitted, connector cause enormous amounts of unnecessary hours to be expended testing for obscure problems once the 'odd failure' has been passed to a specialist without the basic checks being carried out first.

HTH.

[JonRB]

Good advice, LongQ. I guess I should really have known better and said the same (ie. if you don't know what a HDD looks like then do not attempt this) and I had forgotten that the machine has only been unused for a week. You are quite right - it is unusual that it could fail in that time.

I think a bit of playing around with a combination of leads and power points may be the first thing to do, possibly in conjunction with a bit of RTFM (Reading The, er, "Fine" Manual) to confirm the switch-on procedure just to make sure that nothing has been missed. And if the manual has a Troubleshooting Guide then so much the better.

[docevi1]

Um, Christian, I'm only on the other side of town...

[m1spw]

docevi1 said:

Um, Christian, I'm only on the other side of town...

Hi mate

Thanks for the offer, but I don't want to drag you out in this horrible weather. As for reading the manual, my dad had the computer built to his specification (and its basically an over priced piece of crap) so there is no manual for it. I would imagine it's just a loose wire inside, but I'm not going to use the computer any more so I may as well take the HDD out and then use the USB thing to backup all my documents in future.

I've tried different wall sockets and power leads, but nothing has worked, no lights or anything happening. Although I did get a rather large spark from a fan at one point which was a bit worrying...

[docevi1]

well to be fair, the past few days I've been sitting down f'all I'm off to see my sister and then the cinema this eve tho. As for the weather, I've already been out walking the dog & have a proper car now

If you need a hand or advice, feel free to email me (address in profile or on www.stefancarlton.net).

[m1spw]

docevi1 said:

well to be fair, the past few days I've been sitting down f'all I'm off to see my sister and then the cinema this eve tho. As for the weather, I've already been out walking the dog & have a proper car now If you need a hand or advice, feel free to email me (address in profile or on www.stefancarlton.net).

What kind of car have you got now? Its times like this I'm glad I don't have a dog

Its not going to get sorted today anyway as I've got to get my coursework finished (not that I havn't done it or anything ) but if I need any help I'll email you.

Cheers

[docevi1]

I've got a Toyota Carina e GLI 1.8 with 179k on the clock and more rattles, squeaks and bangs than a monkey with a drum. It's great

[m1spw]

Quick update, I got the hardrive out last night. Found and taken out easily!

Talked to someone at PC World about getting the data off it, they quoted....wait for it...£100

I refused pointing out I could get the data off myself for about £30, so now all I need is to get one of those USB hard drive connector thingummy's. I don't have the hard drive with me now, so am I right in thinking I need a 3.5" USB thing?

Also, as the computer is basically buggered, is it worth removing the CD drives/USB ports etc and trying to flog them on ebay?

[mcflurry]

m1spw said:

Also, as the computer is basically buggered, is it worth removing the CD drives/USB ports etc and trying to flog them on ebay?

You could, but TBH you won't get a lot for them.
A brand new 16x DVD writer is £30 delivered, how much would you pay for a cd drive? PC stuff depreciates worse then brand new cars...

[pdV6]

m1spw said:

Quick update, I got the hardrive out last night. Found and taken out easily! Talked to someone at PC World about getting the data off it, they quoted....wait for it...£100 I refused pointing out I could get the data off myself for about £30, so now all I need is to get one of those USB hard drive connector thingummy's. I don't have the hard drive with me now, so am I right in thinking I need a 3.5" USB thing? Also, as the computer is basically buggered, is it worth removing the CD drives/USB ports etc and trying to flog them on ebay?

3.5" is what you need. Sounds like the power supply has died ("big spark from fan" - cheap and relatively easy to replace - so no need to junk the PC if you have a use for it.