Small but annoying problem

godfoot · 28-October-04, 12:14 PM

After doing some mods to my case I am having a small problem.
I say small because with exception to during thunderstorms, I rarely turn my rig off.
The problem is that when I first push the power button (not always though), the computer will come on for a few seconds then shut itself back off. It generally takes 3-4 tries to get it to stay on.
The only thing I can think of that is possibly causing it is the fact that I had to re-solder my power switch after breaking the wire taking the front bezel off.
Should I look into re-soldering the switch or might there be another problem?

Im_gumby · 28-October-04, 12:21 PM

It should be easy enough to try out a new switch to trouble shoot, but for long term fix, I vote for ignoring the problem. If you buy a nice APC 1000, you will never have to turn it off EVER!

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_g...ode=googlegfcp

godfoot · 28-October-04, 12:27 PM

I have a BackUPS Pro 650, but methinks it needs a new battery.
Like I said though, I rarely turn it off. That is why it is just a small problem.
I'll probably just resolder it during the next round of mods.

Yeoman · 28-October-04, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godfoot


	I have a BackUPS Pro 650, but methinks it needs a new battery. Like I said though, I rarely turn it off. That is why it is just a small problem. I'll probably just resolder it during the next round of mods.

With a careful hand and a small screwdriver you can test the switch without actually taking the case totally apart. Remove the side panel, and unplug the switch jumper connector. When the PC is off, complete the power on circuit using the screwdriver to connect the two jumper pins. If it turns on and stays on it is your bezel, if not it could be another problem.

Edit: Actually I don't think it is the switch because the switch only connects the pins to send a short signal to the motherboard, thus the circuit only needs to be open during the initial power up sequence.

~Yeoman

Im_gumby · 28-October-04, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeoman


	Actually I don't think it is the switch because the switch only connects the pins to send a short signal to the motherboard, thus the circuit only needs to be open during the initial power up sequence. ~Yeoman

I was thinking about this problem too, and it could be the switch if the switch mechanism itself is loose, such that vibrations or something would cause it to switch again to turn it off, but then he should have noticed that the computer turns off randomly. I'm thinking it may be something else, but not sure what... I'll keep pondering it.

turbopsi · 28-October-04, 01:34 PM

If all of a sudden it started doing this after you messed with the switch, then my first thought would be to resolder it.

BigAkita · 28-October-04, 02:07 PM

Does it stay on for about, oh say, 4 seconds then turn off?

PurpleDiamond · 28-October-04, 02:08 PM

Is it an overclocked system? if it is try to run it at stock.
BTW I would also check the CMOS battery - I have seen funny things happen because of dead batteries.

godfoot · 28-October-04, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAkita


	Does it stay on for about, oh say, 4 seconds then turn off?

That pretty much describes it exactly. Got something in mind?

turbopsi · 28-October-04, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godfoot


	That pretty much describes it exactly. Got something in mind?

Is your cpu fan hooked up to the fan header good? Might be loose.

BigAkita · 28-October-04, 02:36 PM

If the button makes contact for 4 seconds, it shuts down the PSU. You've all seen this on your own systems.

godfoot · 28-October-04, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbopsi


	Is your cpu fan hooked up to the fan header good? Might be loose.

Yep, checked that already, along with the ATX connector and the P4 connector. I also reseated everything just to make sure.

godfoot · 28-October-04, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAkita


	If the button makes contact for 4 seconds, it shuts down the PSU. You've all seen this on your own systems.

So what you are saying is I probably have too much solder on the joints?
They are pretty close together but I thought they were good. Of course, my eyesight isn't what it used to be.
The thing that gets me is it does finally come on after several tries.
Just so you know, it does not appear that the button gets stuck at all.

Edit: Oops, double post.

godfoot · 28-October-04, 03:01 PM

Sorry for the double post, but I just remembered something.
I did switch over to a different switch because when the wire came loose it pulled one of the "pins" off of the switch along with it leaving only one pin.
I am using what used to be an alarm switch, still momentary though.

boardboyd · 28-October-04, 03:03 PM

I had this problem before, I just reflashed the BIOS and everything was hunky-dory. But it was a major inconvience for me because I had my comp in my room and my gf complained about it on so I had to turn it off every night.

Joose · 28-October-04, 03:18 PM

I'm going with BA's theory. The contacts are probably shorting somewhere.

godfoot · 28-October-04, 03:41 PM

That probably is most likely, as the contacts are close together and my "small joint" soldering skills are not the best.
Cheap Rat-Shack soldering gun too.

DuplexEmotions · 28-October-04, 03:52 PM

Bad godfoot!

Use a soldering iron, not a gun. much better control.

godfoot · 28-October-04, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuplexEmotions


	Bad godfoot! Use a soldering iron, not a gun. much better control.

Small town woes unfortunately.
I would probably have to order one online or drive 50 miles or better.

FeRaL · 28-October-04, 04:27 PM

radioshack.com has some pretty decent soldering stations for dirt cheap...

28-October-04, 12:14 PM		#1 (permalink)
godfoot A George Orwell fan...sorta	Small but annoying problem After doing some mods to my case I am having a small problem. I say small because with exception to during thunderstorms, I rarely turn my rig off. The problem is that when I first push the power button (not always though), the computer will come on for a few seconds then shut itself back off. It generally takes 3-4 tries to get it to stay on. The only thing I can think of that is possibly causing it is the fact that I had to re-solder my power switch after breaking the wire taking the front bezel off. Should I look into re-soldering the switch or might there be another problem?

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28-October-04, 12:21 PM		#2 (permalink)
Im_gumby Slightly Silly Moderator	It should be easy enough to try out a new switch to trouble shoot, but for long term fix, I vote for ignoring the problem. If you buy a nice APC 1000, you will never have to turn it off EVER! http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_g...ode=googlegfcp

28-October-04, 12:27 PM		#3 (permalink)
godfoot A George Orwell fan...sorta	I have a BackUPS Pro 650, but methinks it needs a new battery. Like I said though, I rarely turn it off. That is why it is just a small problem. I'll probably just resolder it during the next round of mods.

28-October-04, 01:34 PM		#6 (permalink)
turbopsi Supe-Hoe-Charged	If all of a sudden it started doing this after you messed with the switch, then my first thought would be to resolder it.

28-October-04, 02:07 PM		#7 (permalink)
BigAkita n00b-ass reviewer	Does it stay on for about, oh say, 4 seconds then turn off?

28-October-04, 02:08 PM		#8 (permalink)
PurpleDiamond Apex Tech Maniac Supreme	Is it an overclocked system? if it is try to run it at stock. BTW I would also check the CMOS battery - I have seen funny things happen because of dead batteries.

28-October-04, 02:36 PM		#11 (permalink)
BigAkita n00b-ass reviewer	If the button makes contact for 4 seconds, it shuts down the PSU. You've all seen this on your own systems.

28-October-04, 03:01 PM		#14 (permalink)
godfoot A George Orwell fan...sorta	Sorry for the double post, but I just remembered something. I did switch over to a different switch because when the wire came loose it pulled one of the "pins" off of the switch along with it leaving only one pin. I am using what used to be an alarm switch, still momentary though.

28-October-04, 03:03 PM		#15 (permalink)
boardboyd Apex Advanced Techie	I had this problem before, I just reflashed the BIOS and everything was hunky-dory. But it was a major inconvience for me because I had my comp in my room and my gf complained about it on so I had to turn it off every night.

28-October-04, 03:18 PM		#16 (permalink)
Joose Joosey	I'm going with BA's theory. The contacts are probably shorting somewhere.

28-October-04, 03:41 PM		#17 (permalink)
godfoot A George Orwell fan...sorta	That probably is most likely, as the contacts are close together and my "small joint" soldering skills are not the best. Cheap Rat-Shack soldering gun too.

28-October-04, 03:52 PM		#18 (permalink)
DuplexEmotions Bi P-Hoe-lar	Bad godfoot! Use a soldering iron, not a gun. much better control.

28-October-04, 04:27 PM		#20 (permalink)
FeRaL Mutant Moderator	radioshack.com has some pretty decent soldering stations for dirt cheap...