Mesh, I'll cross my fingers for both of us. :) 

Thanks Greg.  Some kind soul took out the processor so I could clean it better (much to my son's annoyance), so I'll have to wait for him to replace that before I can try anything else.  Or hopefully HE tries something else.) :) 

Old...tried that, but thanks. :) 

Herb, thanks...I will make a mental note to dust it at least once a month.  And try to actually do it!  (I dust about like my two grandmothers did...they were wonderful, clever, amazing and extremely well-gifted in do-it-yourself (and looking after me when I needed it)...but let's just say they didn't waste a lot of time dusting.)  :(  So it's their fault I guess. :)

Thanks Bruce.  Dust is now blown out.  Hoping it's just the power supply.  Waiting till my son shows up. 

pdlstl...I wonder if there's a wizard at Walmart? 

cb--snake oil...check. :)

Usually power supplies fail altogether. But since switching power supplies require a load and a motherboard signal, you can't tell much with a disconnected PS; unless you provide these items the PS will appear dead even if it is good. This video will show you how to do a quick and dirty dead or not test with a paperclip. If you can borrow a known good power supply you can see if the motherboard etc. is working.


More likely than dirt and overheating is that a capacitor blew somewhere. If it is in the PS, then a new PS is cheap, if it is on the MB...

That sounds hopeful.  I'm extremely blessed to have two sons that have built several computers for themselves over the years.  So as long as I keep giving them all the iced tea they want, love them, cheer them on, make them think I like them, and babysit their kids...they're usually willing to help me with my computers.  Fortunately, it's been about 2 years since I've needed their help in that.  :)  

There is a wizard at Walmart.  Well, he wears a shower curtain, has an aversion to pants, chants unintelligibly, waves at invisible pixies, and has bubbles in his beard.  His name is Roy and he works in Security.

I don't think he'll be much help.  Fortunately, you won't need him to replace your power supply.  It's a relatively easy operation.  Hopefully, your DAW will make a full recovery.

Hi,

The power supply is actually the easiest and less hassle-some thing to change in the computer. All in all, you just unplug everything and then replug the new one.

The one thing I have had an issue with, is the amount of power necessary ... for example, I have to replace a 600 watt power supply that is, on occasion, powering down when you turn the computer on ... I wait 30 seconds, reset the power supply and I can bring the computer up. So that would suggest (in most cases!) that I need a bigger and better power supply to cover the needs from the motherboard and all the cards and parts in the computer itself.

With a DAW, and if you have a better/separate sound card that handles the sound (instead of the motherboard's cheapie), you will probably want the extra wattage to help.

When you look at the back of the computer you might see the label of the power supply, btw, which should tell you how strong it is ... but if you have a 300W or 400W power supply, it wasn't the dust that blew it, I bet!

Have fun ...

Bubba...I've seen him!  I had no idea he was a wizard! Thanks!  :)

Thanks Pedro...my son's coming this afternoon to have a look at it.  

It was just the power supply!  Yippee!!!  Should be here in 3-4 days.

I know you've all been breathlessly waiting for an update.  Now you know.  Thank you. :)  

And I WILL dust that thing at least more than once a year.  I promise! 

That's great news, Janet!  

+1 to Moshkaie's comments. 

An underpowered computer is not a good thing, and it is very easy to end up with an underpowered DAW due to all the extra RAM, hard drives, sound card(s), etc.

Yeah, thanks. My son built this computer for me 2 1/2 years ago, and more than that, has built a few way more powerful ones, so I'm pretty sure he knows what he's doing (good thing, cause I sure don't!). I'm pretty sure the issue was that no one mentioned it shouldn't sit on carpet, since the intake (is that the right word?) is on the bottom of the computer.  (it was on a tile floor before I moved it upstairs...my son didn't notice that)  So as soon as it gets put back together, I'll definitely get it up off the floor.