Badmovies.org Forum

Last night we had a sudden and very violent thunderstorm.  My 9 yr old was on the computer when the lightning started, and she had just told me she was about to shut down when we had a lightning bolt hit about 50 yards from us.  The computer shut off and I haven't been able to reboot it since.  Everything else that was plugged in at the time is fine, including the other things sharing the surge protector bar at the time. 

I'm trying to get some advice from the manufacturer, but I was wondering if anyone here can advise me as well.  I've opened it up, and I can't find any visible damage, but then I'm no techie and although I understand what the parts are and what they do, I have no idea how to diagnose the problem here.  Any ideas?

Perhaps this might be a silly idea, but unplug it from the surge protector, let it sit unplugged for a while, then plug it directly into the wall outlet, or into an outlet on the surge protector that you know works.

If this doesn't work, a good scenario would be that the power switch or (more likely) a diode on the power supply was knocked out. Most likely you would have to take it to a technician to have that verified.

Someone more tech savy (notice I didn't say more of a geek :lookingup:) than me, like Trekgeezer or Ulthar, might be able to help.

It could be the power supply or the motherboard.  It most probably is the power supply and you would have to get someone to verify that.  Unlike the more geeky of us who build our own and have parts laying around to troubleshoot with, you will need to take it someone who does.

Regrettably most computer manufacturers don't cover such things under their warranties (unless you purchased accident coverage with it). 

Thanks Menard.  I did try the plugging into a different socket tactic already, and I also removed the power supply altogether to see if there were any breaker or reset switch that I could find.  I didn't have any luck, but I have noticed that when the system is plugged in, a small light appears on part of the motherboard.

The eMachines tech support wants me to disconnect everything from the motherboard and reconnect it a piece at a time to see if maybe one of the components has been shorted out, so I'm off to tackle that task now. 

Thanks Geezer.  Their tech support suggested that too, and I priced some on NewEgg to see what that repair might run me.  I really hope it is the power supply and not the motherboard, since I've never attempted to install one before.  If it's the motherboard I'm just going to wait until I can buy a new system.

Replacing the mother board is not that hard, either - well, depending on the system.  You can do it.

Now, I HAVE seen systems that a mother board replacement also meant a Windows reinstall.  That sucks FAR MORE than replacing the board itself.

That's probably wise.  eMachine computers don't leave a lot of room for hardware upgrades/replacements and often times their components are interdependent and may lose functionality if you start switcherooing.


It isn't hard, but it can require quite a bit of patience.  Think bank heist films, specifically robbers going over the blueprints.  It's a lot like that.  You get a map that contains everything from fan plugs to RAID switches and you have to study it, learn it, love it, know it, so that you can reconnect everything before the cops respond.  Depending on the motherboard it may beep some secret codes at you.  Typically there's another guide to determine the meaning.  Beep Beep.  What is it boy?  Beep Beep Beep.  IDE failure? Beep Blip Beep Blip Blip.  Oh.  Beep.

If it comes down to this, just be sure to set the kids in another room so you can freely scream obscenities and throw things.

If you've done all that, replacing a mobo is not hard.  The new board will come with a book, anyway (or should   :lookingup: ).  Really, there's not that much to it, especially if you've got some experience replacing hardware.  The only thing not explicitly on your list of 'have dones' is CPU....follow a few guidelines, and that's not that hard, either.

Your call, though, of course.

I'm just not sure....the other components are easy to install, but the motherboard has so many small important looking pieces.  If I really had to I guess I could give it a shot, I'm the person in my household who always gets called upon to assemble whatever needs it and I do know how to read schematics and diagrams.  But I really hope it's just the PSU.

I haven't had to change out a CPU yet.  And I really don't want to replace this system, because I've made some very effective upgrades in the past year and it was running great.  This laptop I'm using right now is a kiddie toy compared to how well mine ran, and even my 9 yr old is complaining about how slow games are on this.