Won't start up! Intermittent fault

[doethcaru]

Every now and then, usually after a power cut, or a hard shutdown after a freeze, my PC won't start up. The fan comes on, the CD drive flashes but the hard drive doesn't start up. Then in several days time, or perhaps a week or so later, the on switch is tried again and up it starts as if it's never had a problem.

At the moment it's in a - won't start up mode, and I'm not really sure if it will ever start again.

Any suggestions folks?

 

[mscallisto]

Then in several days time, or perhaps a week or so later, the on switch is tried again and up it starts as if it's never had a problem.

Had you said "in an hour or so" it would be a much simpler problem to diagnose and I probably would start with:

Is it overheating and simply needs time to cool off?

What devices do you have attached to your PC and are they powered on/off?

Have you checked for loose cables inside and outside the PC?

Have you tried removing all external devices?

Is there anything else you can tell us?

sam

 

[BadBigBen]

to add to the above, have you tried to remove the power cable from the PSU (outlet to PSU) and held down the pwr button for more than a minute, then reattach the power cord and tried to power on the PC?

most modern PSUs have a trip circuit, that cuts in when there is a problem with the power (from outlet to PSU and/or from PSU to components)...

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[G0AOZ]

This sounds like it might be a failing PSU. Try substituting it for a known good one of equal to or greater Wattage.

No clue as to how old your motherboard might be, but check for bulging or leaking capacitors. See

http://www.badcaps.net/pages.php?vid=4

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[edfair]

Based on my experiences it would be the power supply for the standby circuit or the standby circuit itself. Have had several like this.

Went through one personally like this for about 3 years. Plug it up and it took several hours before the standby came ready. In the meantime the front panel power on led was flickering. Once the standby came up it was good until the mains were pulled again.

You might want to look at the capicitors on the motherboard.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[doethcaru]

Hmm thanks everyone. A few promising suggestions there for me to try.

 

[goombawaho]

You should also do something to protect your PC from "power cuts" as you mentioned. Getting a UPS would be a great idea (for anyone) but especially if you erratic power on a regular basis. That is really tough on computers and can toast the innards.