Computer question - only sometimes turns on...

[andrew_carter]

For the last two months or so my computer only sometimes turns on and when it does it's after on average about 20 minutes of it just sitting there making the noise of the fans, et running.

When the power is turned on but the computer doesn't start up the keyboard seems to work (the 'Num Lock' button works, etc), the CD and DVD drives work, and there's power to the speakers, but the computer doesn't want to boot up and get going.

Can anybody please tell me what's wrong with it? Is there a part that I can replace to get it working again? Last night I left it trying for about 12 hours and it didn't turn on...I think it's getting worse.

Thanks a lot,
Andrew

[john_childs]

A failing power supply can cause problems like that. If the power supply isn't supplying a stable voltage to the CPU or other component then the computer can misbehave (fail to boot, crash randomly, etc.).

There are utilities that can measure and graph the various voltages from the power supply. You can watch the graph and check to see if some of the voltages are drifting out of spec.

Intel has a monitor utility for their chipsets: Intel Active Monitor. If you have a chipset or motherboard that it supports it should be able to monitor the power supply.

Motherboard Monitor 5 is another monitoring program. I haven't used it so I don't know well it monitors or graphs the power supply voltages.

Some BIOSes have a screen that will display the CPU temperature and power supply voltages. Boot to your BIOS and see what it will tell you.

There are lots of other free monitoring programs that will let you monitor the power supply voltages.

[jagur]

my old 98se PC did that..i think it was combo of it being old and full of nastys. it would come on just long enough to get me thinking i was ok,then it would crash.

i never figured out what it was, fortunatly i was given a newer box (to me) PC with Win 2000 and it works all the time and never crashes.

[andrew_carter]

Thanks. If I can get it to turn on again I'll try out one of those programs. Is there a big range in types of power supplies? Is there a right on to get or will any do?

The computer doesn't crash but it does choose to restart itself if it is left running without any activity for too long.

Another unrelated computer question...
It currently doesn't shut itself down all the way when I tell it to but instead goes to the "It is now safe to turn off your computer" screen. I find this annoying. Is there an easy way with Windows XP to make it shut down all the way?

Andrew

[jagur]

there might be some useful info about power supplys in my old PC thread.

http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/sho...t=power+supply


EDIT: i fixed my Psupp with a dbl. shot of WD-40 on the fan.

[TheObieOne3226]

Just don't turn it off. All problems solved.

[unicus]

Originally posted by andrew_carter
Another unrelated computer question...
It currently doesn't shut itself down all the way when I tell it to but instead goes to the "It is now safe to turn off your computer" screen. I find this annoying. Is there an easy way with Windows XP to make it shut down all the way?

This may be more of an indication of a power supply problem as John said. Old power supplies used to be switched by the switch on the PC case (AT power supply) but now the power supply is switched by the motherboard and the switch on the case is connected to the motherboard (ATX power supply). Using ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) software (i.e. Windows) can turn the computer off. A problem with the power supply or with ACPI will often cause Windows to bring up the "It is now safe to turn off your computer" screen you see as it cannot turn the power supply off.

Power supplies are easy to change and if you can borrow a known good one it would be a quick way to check and it's always prudent to check that all cables etc. are seated well when you have a PC open.

Also ACPI can usually be turned on or off in the BIOS.

Does that lot make sense? I work in ICT so I ramble a bit

[mucRider]

Before changing any parts, I would open the case and re-seat all the boards and connectors. Make sure everything is tight and you don't have any loose connections on any wires or circuit boards. This is easy enough to do and does not cost anything. Sometimes when machines get old, the connectors get a little bit corroded which interupts the connection.

Power supplies come in different sizes. Make sure you have the right one before you change it.

[UniTyler]

It's probably the power supply because that's what our old PC was doing and that's what ended up being the problem.

[kristine]

Originally posted by TheObieOne3226
Just don't turn it off. All problems solved.

now, theres an idea!

[The Yang]

I never turn mine off, I have a feeling it doesn't have a lot of boot ups left

[pdc]

only sometimes turns on...

My wife has the same problem.

[DK]

Originally posted by pdc
My wife has the same problem.

LAMO!!!

[andrew_carter]

Thanks a lot guys. That's definitely all the info I need for now. I'll have a look at it this afternoon. Hopefully I'll get back from uni before the shops close.

Andrew

[Seager]

Maybe you need to get better at foreplay?

(y'know, only sometimes turns on?)

YUK YUK YUK

ok, sorry.