Reoccuring Power Problem

I'll admit this immediately...the problem occuring here is a problem which limits my access to playing CoX. The problem is baffling, and I'm honestly angry that it's occurred twice now.

Last Wednesday my computer was left on in sleep mode. When I went to move the mouse and "wake" it, the computer responded, then immediately shut itself back down. Pressing the power button availed nothing, and I noticed the green LED on the power supply was not illuminating. I unplugged everything, plugged it all back up, and saw that the LED was shining again, but would turn off and fail to boot whenever I pressed the start button. To make a long story short an HP tech honored my 3 year warranty by coming out and installing a previously delivered replacement power supply...as that's what I surmised was causing the initial problem.

Yesterday when I came home from shutting the computer down yesterday morning, I had the same "start button doesn't turn the computer on" problem. Again. Only this time, nothing I did would illuminate the LED for the power supply. Instead of replacing the power supply again, HP wants me to spot check the perepherals and mother board against the power supply...something I'm not entirely keen on...before they'll judge that it's the power supply again and send a tech out.

My question to you, the CoX braintrust, is...if it's NOT the power supply, what could it be? If it IS something like the motherboard pulling the wrong voltage, etc, I know I can get it repaired but that may me something as drastic as sending the computer in (which I might do after removing my hard drive for safe keeping).

Anyone have an idea what's wrong with my computer?

This is a long shot, but it happened to me on my new PC earlier this year and showed similar symptoms to which you describe:

Check the power button is mounted correctly and not getting caught on the casing. My power button would push and the PC would start up, but immediately shutdown again. It was quite baffling until I had the cover off and then it worked fine.

The issue was the power button wasn't mounted properly (one of the retaining screws was missing) and it was getting caught on the chassis cut-out.

I don't know if you're feeling adventurous but try checking the button housing and mounts.

Jester - I've had the computer about five months. I would think if an error as you describe would be the root cause of my problem it'd have manifested itself before last week, wouldn't you?

On the contrary, it's just the kind of thing that could "work itself loose" over time.

But good luck with tracking the problem down.

It could be many things ranging from a faulty switch as surmised above, a failed PSU, MB, CPU or indeed just about anything else connected to the PSU or for that matter it could be that the PSU is unable to provide the power for your system - a definite possibility if you have made significant upgrades.

Do you receive any Beep Codes on bootup or if your MB has a POST display even better? They can identify the faulty component. A Google search on Computer POST code should allow you to interpret them.

Failing that your best bet is to eliminate as many variables as possible so try first of all unplugging the power leads to everything except MB, CPU Fan and graphics card and see if it will power up and stay up. Also remove all but one stick of RAM.
You should see an black screen complaining it cannot find an OS
If you get that then your PSU, MB, CPU and GPU are all working and the problem is elsewhere
Plug other components back in one at a time until it fails again - the last one you plug in before it fails is then the problem.
If you manage to plug everything back in and it then works it would point to a poor connection somewhere or a damaged wire - keep monitoring it over time by remaking all the connections you may have fixed a bad connection or a faulty cable/connector may resurface later.

If your initial try doesn't remain powered up it is a bit more difficult to diagnose - remove any case connections to speakers, ports, switches except the power switch etc your GPU and last stick of memory and try again - if the CPU fan spins up and remains up the problem lies in the graphics system or memory - probably the grahics card/ memory stick but possibly still the MB

Also try wiggling the cables leading to your power switch - if one comes loose or the system powers up when doing so your problem is in the switch and yes like any other mechanical device they do fail.
Whilst looking at this make sure your switch is connected to the correct header on the MB - there will be a stencilled label near the connector.

Gaia,

I made no upgrades to this machine since purchase.

No Beep Codes on bootup. The machine does not boot up.

Everything else you suggested is exactly what the rep in India was trying to get me to do the other day. While I've had it confirmed that opening the computer will not violate my extended warranty, it galls me that they want me to perform hours worth of troubleshooting for them. Isn't that what I paid the warranty price for?

I know the whole troubleshooting process is a major PITA. I don't want to do it. They are refusing to take further action until I do, so they're forcing me into something I don't want to do so that I can take advantage of something I paid extra for.

How's that right again?

Following the K.I.S.S. principle (and not making assumptions on your level of competence):

• Are you sure the computer power plug is plugged into the outlet? / Are you sure the outlet is getting power? Is it a "power strip" that has a breaker that was tripped?
• Are you sure the power cord is plugged into the power supply?
• There is usually a separate switch near where the power cord plugs into the PSU that isn't clearly labeled. It is a rocker switch with a "0" on one side, and a "1" on the other. Is the "1" in the down position (almost flush with the PSU)?
• Are the main power connectors from the PSU to the motherboard seated properly? The cables from the power switch?