Strange Problem Starting Office Pc - Need Advice & Help

Hi Guys,

I’ve had a problem starting an office Pc for a couple of months now, but not had time to look into it until recently. It’s been working perfectly for a couple of years now and is pretty basic in spec: AMD Althon 3000+ 939, Asus A8N-E, 2 x 512mb DDR400, Antec P180, Antec Phantom 350 etc.

When I press the power button the power light flashes for a second and the fans also spin, but the computer doesn’t start. If I press the power button a second time nothing happens, I have to turn off the power supply using the button on the rear, wait for the 5v LED on the motherboard to go out and then turn the power supply back on with the switch in order to attempt another start.

I’ve found that spinning the fans manually before pressing the on button seems to increase the chances of it starting, but it could well just be a fluke. I’ve checked various connections, it also doesn’t matter if it’s just been switched on or hasn’t been switched on in days. It is kept in a rather cold place, but as the problem happens even if you attempt to start it right after switching it off, I don’t think that is the cause.

This all of course leads me to believe the power supply is faulty, maybe something to do with how it supplies power to start the computer up.

Looking for people with similar experiences, especially the fact you can’t attempt another start without turning the power supply off and on again first. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Kind Regards,

Mark

I think I'd start by replacing the PSU. What make is the current one?

Well I don't have a spare one lying around so I'd like to be sure first. Anyone had similar experiences?

Current is an Antec Phantom 350.

Well unless you are going to start digging around with a multimeter monitoring the various voltages, substitution is the simplest method to troubleshoot. A replacement 350Watt psu will only cost about £30.

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More than likely the PSU IMHO too. Not got another machine you could borrow one from for a few minutes?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by peterb

Well unless you are going to start digging around with a multimeter monitoring the various voltages, substitution is the simplest method to troubleshoot. A replacement 350Watt psu will only cost about £30.

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

or if you want a bit more power

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

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Yeah that's fair enough, although I'd likely get something a little better as chances are it will solve the problem and I'll keep using it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dangel

More than likely the PSU IMHO too. Not got another machine you could borrow one from for a few minutes?

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I do, but removing and exchanging a power supply isn't a five minute job, I'd rather just buy one and see how it goes.

It was also suggested that I try changing a few of the power options in BIOS to see if that helps, current settings are:

ACPI Suspend Type: S1&S3 (Other Options: S3 (STR) or S1 (POS))
ACPI APIC Support: Enabled (Other Options: Disabled)

With the other options that are not in use in brackets.

If the PSU is on it's last legs (as seems to be the case) then no monkeying around in the BIOS is going to fix it. The only real way to prove if this is indeed the case is to swap out a known good PSU: I can appreciate that it's not as simple as swapping out RAM or something, but it's going to have to be done.

And really it's not that hard..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Splash

If the PSU is on it's last legs (as seems to be the case) then no monkeying around in the BIOS is going to fix it. The only real way to prove if this is indeed the case is to swap out a known good PSU: I can appreciate that it's not as simple as swapping out RAM or something, but it's going to have to be done.

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Indeed, although I'm going to give it a go tonight before ordering the new PSU, just in case. Although you are likely correct, that the power supply is faulty which was my original thought.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dangel

And really it's not that hard..

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Very true, but I don't want to take a PSU out of a perfectly working Pc, it's twice the hassle.


Thanks for your help guys, I’ll let you know how it goes.

dont take it out then, just put the cases next to each other and span the cables you need across

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MadduckUK

dont take it out then, just put the cases next to each other and span the cables you need across

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I did consider that but it involves moving a Pc from work.

Quick update, no suprise that the power options in BIOS being changed didn't help so I've ordered a new PSU. Should be here tomorrow so hopefully all things going well I should have it tested with the new power supply tomorrow evening.

Wish me luck!

Hi Guys,

New PSU went in this afternoon and I'm happy to report that the Pc is starting first time. Although only time will tell if the problem is sorted for good, it seems for the moment that it is.

Many thanks for the help.

\o/

Thanks for the update