power supply

I was using my computer yesterday when it suddenly shut down. I tried to start it again but nothing happened. I checked the cables and fuses in the plug of the power lead but everythings fine. I removed the casing and all I could see lit up was an led light on the motherboard . Could I need a new power supply unit or is anthything elsa wrong. I need help badly

 

Does the PS have a light on it to indicate that it is receiving powering?

Your motherboard could be fried. If you have another power supply available from an old computer or a friend try using it as a test, but make sure its wattage output isn't lower than the one current installed(just in case).

I had a power surge finish off an old PS of mine a year ago and it also took the board with it. New MB and PS later I think I'm set. The only problem was that the HDD from that computer needed the new MB's drivers(chipset etc) installed onto it before connecting it to that motherboard as the boot device and Windows registered that HDD while on the old MB. It got my system caught in a loop and I had to reinstall XP and format the HDD because the repair install didn't work.

If you determine you need a new MB then find one that is compatible with your current hardware(RAM[DDR or DDRII] / GPU slot type if you don't use onboard video[AGP or PCI-e) / correct MB size to fit into current case[micro ATX or full ATX MB] / etc....

If you have to go this route do this before you start your computer from current HDD after connecting to new MB:

First, boot from CD with your Windows XP disk in the drive and go to Windows Repair Console once it loads. Look for such commands as /fixboot or /fixmbr; if you aren't sure of the characters once in this type /help in the command console to find the one that re-installs the boot files for the OS to the HDD. Changing HDD to different MB is a painful and tricky process. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't based on the type of key you have. OEM versions have more problems in this regard.