I have an old Emachines desktop, it broke down quite 2 years ago (Well the modem to be exact, I think). I've decided to try to fix it now but I don't know if I can even fix it, since I don't know if it's just the power button or the whole modem. Back then when I didn't know anything about computers I used to press the power button to turn it on and turn it off, so it's pretty wobbily and loose, pressing it will not turn on the modem so I want to try to fix it. The last thing that happened when it broke down is that I turned it on and the ring around the power button lit up but the screen didn't show up and then is completely shut down and I have't been able to turn it on again. So is it the modem? The hard drive? Or the power button that is broken? Anyone know? If you do please help and thank you.

There have been numerous reports of power supply and motherboard issues with the eMachines computers. In fact, my mom had one of these that died just after the extended warranty expired. My gut feel is that this machine is not worth working on.

Here is a link (http://www.consumeraffairs.com/computers/emachine_power.html) that you might find helpful. You can Google "emachines power supply problem" to find many others.
WallyH

There have been numerous reports of power supply and motherboard issues with the eMachines computers. In fact, my mom had one of these that died just after the extended warranty expired. My gut feel is that this machine is not worth working on.

Here is a link (http://www.consumeraffairs.com/computers/emachine_power.html) that you might find helpful. You can Google "emachines power supply problem" to find many others.
WallyH

Hmmm... I guess that's why when I went to go buy a new computer the guy told me to not even try buying an emachines since he said it wasn't worth it. I'll check out the link, thanks.

I have an old Emachines desktop, it broke down quite 2 years ago (Well the modem to be exact, i think). I've decided to try to fix it now but i don't know if i can even fix it, since i don't know if it's just the power button or the whole modem. Back then when i didn't know anything about computers i used to press the power button to turn it on and turn it off, so it's pretty wobbily and loose, pressing it will not turn on the modem so i want to try to fix it. The last thing that happened when it broke down is that i turned it on and the ring around the power button lit up but the screen didn't show up and then is completely shut down and i have't been able to turn it on again. So is it the modem? the hard drive? or the power button that is broken? Anyone know? If you do please help and thank you.

By the way the model of the power supply is ATX-250-12E, how do I know if it's messed up? Will it smell burned or what?

Not necessarily, although if it does smell burnt, it is probably wise to replace it. Please note that if the motherboard is what is really bad, it can take out the power supply--including the new one you buy to replace the burnt out supply. So don't jump to conclusions too quickly.

WallyH

Not necessarily, although if it does smell burnt, it is probably wise to replace it. Please note that if the motherboard is what is really bad, it can take out the power supply--including the new one you buy to replace the burnt out supply. So don't jump to conclusions too quickly.

WallyH

Oh really? Wow, is there anyway of figuring out if the motherboard is messed up too? Or will it be like the power supply and smell burnt too?

There is no practical way to determine if the motherboard is blown. You could inspect it for bulging capacitors, burnt areas, and foreign materials, but it is quite likely that you will find none of these. In simple terms, the tiny devices on the motherboard can die with little evidence, whereas the power supply has larger components that would more likely smell burnt when they die.

Unfortunately, there is no iron-clad answer in this situation.
WallyH

I'm a little confused here. There is no power button for an E-Machines "modem". If the modem is internal (inside the tower case) then its powered up when you power up the PC. If its an external modem then it may have its own power button, but it wouldn't be an e-Machines product.

So are you referring to the power button on the tower case?

I'm a little confused here. There is no power button for an E-Machines "modem". If the modem is internal (inside the tower case) then its powered up when you power up the PC. If its an external modem then it may have its own power button, but it wouldn't be an e-Machines product.

So are you referring to the power button on the tower case?
Wow! Now that you bring that up, I'm confused too! I guess I completely overlooked the dozen times "modem" was used in the problem description. My answers may all now be rendered meaningless.

Shouldn't read these when I'm in a hurry...
WallyH

I'm a little confused here. There is no power button for an E-Machines "modem". If the modem is internal (inside the tower case) then its powered up when you power up the PC. If its an external modem then it may have its own power button, but it wouldn't be an e-Machines product.

So are you referring to the power button on the tower case?

Yeah the button you press to turn it on.

Yeah the button you press to turn it on.

Ok, then the previous advice you have been given applies.

If knowlegable on electrical and hazzards, I would physically bypass the power switch.
Power supply testers are cheap, fast and easy test to perform.
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