So I bought a new power supply and a case, put everything in the case and everything seemed to work fine, but the computer kept turning off every 5 mins. After checking for a while I noticed I hadn't connected the cpu fan, so did that (after turning it on several times and trying many things). Now my computer turns on with no problems at all, but, none of the programs in my computer are working....no firefox, no foobar, nothing. It opens windows with no problems but only some programs work (office). Did the processor get damaged while I was testing to see what was happening to my computer?

sticking relay contacts in the PCM power relay , maybe . It's located in the central junction box . That is the inside the vehicle fuse box. That relay supply's power to the engine computer , ignition system , fuel etc.... If the contacts are stuck closed or sticking the engine would keep running with key off .

*Take out the battery,
*Remove main supply,
*Hold power button down for 30 secs,
*Put only power supply in, do not put battery in
*Turn laptop on
*Put the battery in.
Aftermarket Car Headlights

Sounds like a failing Power supply Emachines are infamous for bad Power supplies!

First off is the power supply powerful enough for this new mobo? is it new, old?. Is the motherboard securely earthed either in the case or on test bench?
If you have it in a case already strip out everything leaving just the motherboard and graphic card in. Power up now.
If this works put the memory back in.
Then hard drive etc until you have everything you need installed.
If it doesn't work you should try another graphic card if you have access to one. Also make sure the graphic card is seated properly.
If none of the above works then there is a good chance you have a faulty motherboard so best to replace it.

Did you check that everything was okay before closing the case, (no loose screws). Try your old power supply no the motherboard in the new case. If that works than try the new power supply in that case. Could be a difective unit.

you wont damage anything but get at least a 450-500w power supply. Nothing should be damaged

hope this helps

it does sound like a power supply. you can pick one up for around 80 bucks retail. they aren't that hard to install. 2 plugs on the mobo and one for each drive you have installed. all you do is unscrew the current power supply (4 screws on the back), then unplug all wires connecting the power supply to the components. then take out the old power supply and work in reverse with the new power supply.
if the computer doesn't work after that, it is possible that you need a new mother board. in that case, personally i would return the power supply and start looking for another computer.
but hopefully it is just the power supply.

Agent 10708

it could be your power switch, veriy that it isnt the power supply by

1.) un-plug it from the main board
2.) look at the main board connector(one coming of the power supply)
3.) you should see green wire and next to it a black one
4.) using a paper clip bridge the too wires
5.) if it works proceed to net step if not get a new power supply

to check case switch and board switch

1.) plug in power supply to main board
2.) look at the pins where the power button connects to
3.) using a metal object (blade screw driver) bridge the pins

if the board should start up>
then its your power button on the case that is bad, you can try to repair it, chage it or buy a new case,

if it doesnt work.
1.) ensure that jcms(jumper to flash the bios) is set correctly
2.) unjack each drive one at a time to see if any is causing stalling
3.) get a new main board

I had this exact problem with a newly bought motherboard and it turned on but the screen was black, also I noticed once it turned on it wouldn't turn off, (Am wondering if this is happening to you) the motherboard was fine as it is in the other room now working away, so dont get rid of it just yet. Most new motherboards require additional power to the processor from the power supply, through a four pin power cable, which should be availble with the newer power supply units having (number of pins for you motherbpard power supply) + 4 (which is the 4 pin J-connector) printed on the packaging. If this is connected and you are still having problems which for me was the case, then you will have to try a different approach. Cutting the chase, the problem I had that produced similar effects of screen being black when the motherboard was powered on, was to do with my case. It was one of those flimsy aluminium foil types. I came to this conclusion by taking my motherboard out of the case and hooking it up to the cases power supply on an insulated surface such as a cork mat. It then worked fine again. So I bought a good qulaity case with a new power supply just to be sure, hooked everything up and hey presto it was fixed. It turned out that enough power couldn't get to the board as the case was shorting its supply. Hope this helps.

I had this exact problem with a newly bought motherboard and it turned on fan turned but the screen was black, also I noticed once it turned on it wouldn't turn off, (Am wondering if this is the case with you) the motherboard was fine as it is in the other room now working away, so dont get rid of yours just yet. Most new motherboards require additional power to the processor from the power supply, through a four pin power cable, which should be availble with the newer power supply units having (number of pins for you motherbpard power supply) + 4 (which is the 4 pin J-connector) printed on the packaging. If this is connected and you are still having problems which for me was the case, then you will have to try a different approach. Cutting to the chase, the problem I had that produced similar effects of screen being black when the motherboard was powered on, was to do with my case. It was one of those flimsy aluminium foil types. I came to this conclusion by taking my motherboard out of the case and hooking it up to the cases power supply on an insulated surface such as a cork mat. It then was working fine. So I bought a good qulaity case with a new power supply just to be sure, hooked everything up and hey presto it was fixed. It turned out that enough power couldn't get to the board as the cheap case was shorting its supply. Hope this is of some help.