Have to unplug PC for reboot 1

[techjulie]

I have a Dell PC (Win98) that once a week will not reboot at all until I unplug it (for 5-10 secs) and cut ALL power to it.

It happens in the morning after a normal shutdown at night. When the machine is powered on by the button, it will show only a black screen with a white flat blinking cursor in the upper left of the screen. Using reboot button doesn't work, neither does powering it off. After it's unplugged long enought to cut all power to motherboard .... then it then boots normally.

Any ideas what could be causing this? Or what is exactly happening inside the PC when I cut the power?

I know that unplugging is the only way to dissipate (sp?) the electrical energy from the motherboard and the motherboard light goes out after 5-10 secs but I don't know if the RAM is affected or what???

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Euphaz]

It might be something wrong with the power supply or the motherboard.

If you have a volt meter try measuring all the pins on the connector during the faulty state(when the cursor display).

ALL wires except the black ones must have one of these voltages: -12,-5,3.3,5, or 12 volts. Do not leave the computer in this state for too long in case of faulty power supply.

Also check that only ONE pin carry 5volt during the standby mode (after shutdown). That voltage is for the motherboard start up logic.

If you cannot measure them, try another power supply.

 

[NOnoy]

I had a similar issue before with my emachine. I would shut it down and it would not start up again with the power button. I had to physically unplug the power wire. I gave it to my niece so she has to do that too. I think it's the power supply button or connection on the motherboard to the power supply but I never found out what.

Sorry I couldn't help. Just wanted to relate.

 

[jmatt]

I personally do this as part of my shut down & power managemment ,
using W98seupg .

During boot up , press Delete & in the Power Management page , make
sure it is set to Disable .

During install , no screensavers are selected . To remove , there
are many ways . One is to Open up Control Panel , select Add/Remove
Programs & click on Windows Setup . Go down to Accessories & click
on details . Untick Screensavers .

While Control Panel is open , click on System , then Device Manager .
Click on the + next to System devices ( down the bottom ) & if Advanced
Power Management support ( or a similar name ) is there , delete it .

I then setup Power Management ( In Control Panel ) the way I like it ,
( Power schemes , Always on . Then set the screen to shut 1st & the power later ) I never have
any problems .

----------------------------------------------------

Step by step here .

http://www.aumha.org/a/shutdown.htm

http://www.aumha.org/a/shtdwnsez.htm

http://www.aumha.org/a/shtdwnmez.htm

http://www.aumha.org/a/shtdwnxp.htm

 

[jrini]

Some Main Boards have this problem. ASUS CUSC series is famous for it. I finally replaced the ASUS board with another brand and NO MORE PROBLEM.
So it would be useful to find out if other PCs with the same Main Board/Power Supply are having the same problem. If there are others with this problem, you may be able to get Dell to fix it.

 

[LadyH]

I work on a strictly Dell campus and run into this occasionally with systems loaded with Win98. If you hold the powerbutton in for a few sec's, the system will power off on its own. Of cousre, you'll see the system scan on the reboot. Its been an intermittent problem with some systems, but always ones with Win98. Just an FYI

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