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.

28-October-04, 12:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
godfoot A George Orwell fan...sorta Join Date: May 2003 Location: "Truth is not determined by majority vote." Posts: 9,948	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? __________________

28-October-04, 12:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Im_gumby Slightly Silly Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Latitude: 42 57 51 Longitude: 85 36 46 W Posts: 3,100	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 __________________ C'mon... click me. You know you want to.

28-October-04, 12:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
godfoot A George Orwell fan...sorta Join Date: May 2003 Location: "Truth is not determined by majority vote." Posts: 9,948	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 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 1,737	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 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Nirvana Posts: 14,317	Does it stay on for about, oh say, 4 seconds then turn off? __________________ "I'll stop being an A-Hole if you will stop being an Idiot."

28-October-04, 02:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
PurpleDiamond Apex Tech Maniac Supreme Join Date: May 2003 Location: Newington, CT Posts: 1,093	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. __________________ Intel Q6700 @ 3.0GHz............ASUS Maximus Formula 4GB OCZ PC2-8000.............................nVidia 8800GTS 2 x Seagate 1TB (RAID1)........................Corsair 750W Coolermaster Hyper 212.......................Cosmos 1000

28-October-04, 02:36 PM	#11 (permalink)
BigAkita n00b-ass reviewer Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Nirvana Posts: 14,317	If the button makes contact for 4 seconds, it shuts down the PSU. You've all seen this on your own systems. __________________ "I'll stop being an A-Hole if you will stop being an Idiot."

28-October-04, 03:01 PM	#14 (permalink)
godfoot A George Orwell fan...sorta Join Date: May 2003 Location: "Truth is not determined by majority vote." Posts: 9,948	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 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Great White North (Northern Canada) Posts: 203	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. __________________ AMD64 3200+ Newcastle @ stock Swiftech 6002-A, CSystems 750 MachII Pump, some kind of cheap rad (yet to be installed in new system) DFI-DAFG Corsair 1G (512x2) Leadtek Gf6600 256 PCIe Lian Li PC7-USB

28-October-04, 03:18 PM	#16 (permalink)
Joose Joosey Join Date: May 2003 Location: Milton, Ontario Posts: 5,537	I'm going with BA's theory. The contacts are probably shorting somewhere. __________________ Joose - joosy since 1975 Cheap, Good, Fast - You can only have two out of three.

28-October-04, 03:41 PM	#17 (permalink)
godfoot A George Orwell fan...sorta Join Date: May 2003 Location: "Truth is not determined by majority vote." Posts: 9,948	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 Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 3,563