computer help

[Chad K]

Hi all,

It's been awhile since I last posted, but I've been lurking.



I need help with a computer problem.

For awhile now the computer has to have the power strip

turned off and on a few times before the

switch to turn the computer on will turn on the computer.

There is a green light on the back of the power supply in the computer

that blinks and makes a faint clicking sound.



I have been leaving the computer on for awhile now so I wouldn't have to chance

it not starting up.

But last night my wife forgot and turned it off. Now I can't get it to turn on.



I'm using my laptop to ask for your help. So please help.



Thanks, new chad

 

[Zachary Lichliter]

Have you tried to plug the computer straight to the wall and not through the power strip?

 

[Jacob Dryer]

Second Zachary, but suspect that you need a new power supply. Depending on what computer it is there is a chance it's proprietary, but if not they are fairly cheap and easy to install.

 

[Chad K]

Thanks for the replies.



I plugged the computer directly into the wall but no change.

The computer is a compaq desktop.

I will call a local computer shop to see what a power supply

might cost me.



Thanks again.

new chad

 

[EddieS'04]

My old compaq tower did the same thing. It was the power supply.

 

[Chad K]

I followed compaqs help page and seem to have determined

that something is wrong with the motherboard.

Having said that though, I was able to get the computer to start.



Compaq help page said to unplug everthing of power and see if the light

stops flashing on the back of the power supply. I did and it stopped flashing and glowed solid.

So I plugged in all add ons(sp) and light stayed on. Plugged in the mother board

and light started flashing.



So I unplugged the motherboard again and then unplugged the power supply then plugged in the power supply and then plugged in the mother board and hit the power button.

It started.:supercool:

Now to keep my wife from turning it off again. :angry:



Thanks for your input.

new chad

 

[TomT]

Better back everything up and start shopping for a new computer. Sounds like that one won't last much longer. Although you could just buy a cheap power supply and try that. Me, I always keep a PS on standby, just in case.

 

[Don Pertz]

Does your time and date show correctly after a restart, or do you have to reset them?



Could be a bad CMOS battery on the mother board.

 

[Chad K]

Yes the date and time are ok.



I did think about the battery. I looked around the house a little bit

but couldn't find one right away.

The battery is over six years old.



If the computer gets shut down again I will be sure to replace it.



thanks for the reply



new chad

 

[Coleman Brumley]

I think you're gonna be surprised at how frickin much power supplies cost these days, especially for PCs like Compaq's where they're not really designed to be easily swapped.



Last time I did this for a customer, it would have been MUCH cheaper to buy a new PC.