Odd computer problem

Message

BikerGran · #1 Post by **BikerGran** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 7:40 pm

My computer works fine - as long as I don't turn it off!

If I turn it off, it won't turn on again. Press the button - zilch! If I unpplug the power lead and plug it in again - it starts up with no problem!

Any ideas?

Aladinsaneuk · #2 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 7:54 pm

Switch - is it a membrane type?

BikerGran · #3 Post by **BikerGran** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 8:02 pm

Haven't a clue! You mean the switch on the computer? It's a big button about 1½ inches across. As I said, once the power has been unplugged and replugged, the switch works fine.

Samray · #4 Post by **Samray** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 8:10 pm

Had a similar prob recently.
Think it was result of an auto update ... prob MS.
I had to alter the power setting to remove the auto shutdown after 5 hrs inactivity. It shut it down ok but would it fekk fire up again.

Willopotomas · #5 Post by **Willopotomas** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 8:22 pm

Most PC's these days have a 'deep sleep' mode. It looks like the PC is off, but the PSU is still supplying power to certain low-consumption components (such as RAM and chipsets). If you're completely shutting down it should turn completely off.. Make sure your not putting it in to 'sleep' or 'standby' mode..

What operating system are you using? (Windows xx?)

If the problem still happens when you fully shut down, it could be a number of things. Faulty PSU (Power Supply Unit) being the main suspect, but they only do what the main computer circuitry is telling it to do. I'd safely rule out the switch. I've been building and maintaining PC's for around 15 years (it's also what I spent years at college doing) and have yet to come across a dodgy ATX type switch. If your PC shuts down and turns off automatically, then you have the ATX arrangement.

As has been mentioned, have you had any software updates that you know of, or change anything before this started to happen?

Samray · #6 Post by **Samray** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:00 pm

I should have mentioned it was only the display that wouldn't revive, pooter was still whirring away and responding to inputs, but with a blank screen.

BikerGran · #7 Post by **BikerGran** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 10:16 pm

Mine shuts down when I go through the Start - Turn off - Shut down procedure. And yes it shuts down completely, and when I press the button to start it up there is absolutely nothing at all!

I'm using XP Home, SP3. And I think there may have been an update recently.

#8 Post by **Kwackerz** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 10:40 pm

Hmm.. Seem to recall problems like that when i had a Hard drive fail once.

BikerGran · #9 Post by **BikerGran** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 10:43 pm

Oh lord, better back up then! Had a new hard drive a few months ago though...

I think I need a new computer really but it's such a hassle!

#10 Post by **Kwackerz** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 10:53 pm

Not necesarily a failing HDD, but i do recall similar problems.

Backing up is always a good thing :)

..just not to the same hard drive..

Viking · #11 Post by **Viking** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 10:22 pm

I had a machine like this once - it turned out to be a fault on the motherboard.

I ended up getting rid of the damned MSI motherboard and buying a new one by GigaByte.

(Yes, I was a geek back then and assembled my computers. Now I just don't give a s**t.)

BikerGran · #12 Post by **BikerGran** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 6:42 pm

Curiouser and cuirouser - it's cured itself!