broken power button

[KellyHabersham]

*will try to explain things as best I can, any help/ideas would be much appreciated....if it helps, I did not have power outage/connection issues with this previous computer I'd had in this apartment, nor do I have such issues with the monitor*

To keep this part short - I got the computer from Fry's Electronics about four years ago, and I'd gotten a discount on it because it had previously been returned. Within a few days after getting it set up, I noticed that the power button would not "connect" when pressing, and since I had a warranty for repairs, my brother and I took it back to the store to get it checked out. I don't remember exactly what the tech person had said, only that it wasn't something that really needed to be fixed, you just had to press the button a little harder than normal.

This really wasn't much of an issue at first, but eventually I got to where I almost "had" to leave my computer powered on 24/7, as I never knew if it was going to be a problem with getting the power button to work. (This was especially frustrating anytime the power went out in my apartment) And within the past few weeks, it's gotten to where the computer would shut off without notice.........it "died" for the last time Saturday morning.

and to make it short - I unfortunately do not have the time, money or ability to take it to a computer specialist....if anyone has an idea as to what might the issue be/how to fix it, it would be most appreciated!

[Broomjockey]

My guess? The button's broken. Yes, staggering leap, I know.

Unfortunately, there's not a lot you can do for a broken button. You can either repair it yourself, or get a new case and transfer all the components to it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-042-_-Product

That's the case I'd suggest, as I know it's reliable, and it's cheap. Granted, your computer might have an odd motherboard size, so you should double-check before you get it.

[It's me]

Would have to see how the switch is connected to the system, both mechanically and electrically. Either could be the source of the problem. Ie. could be something jammed/broken between the part you press and the actual switch, or the switch itself is toasted.

What kind of computer is it? Make, model?

[Pedersen]

Most cases, especially tower style cases, have a removable front panel. The normal connection here is the power button that you press is nothing more than spring loaded piece of plastic which pushes a small button inside that front panel.

If you are careful about things, you can safely remove that front panel and push the button yourself. If that fails, it's very likely that that button is toast, and would need to be replaced. Fortunately, those are fairly common replacement parts, though you will need to know the type of case (in general terms): AT, ATX, ITX, etc.

Here's a google search that might help get the part you need:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...t+power+button

[KellyHabersham]

Thanks much for the responses so far......it's much appreciated! I don't have any further info to give out at the moment because I'd need to go home and take a look at my computer to be able to provide the model number/brand....etc. (Mostly I'm just trying to seek out opinions/gather info because my brother's offered to help me sort this out)

[joe hx]

I'm assuming this is the power button on the front of the machine, not the power switch on the power supply?

You might try looking where the power button is connected to the motherboard, as well as the reset button, and swap the two. Then the reset button would magically become the power button, and the power button would become the confuse-a-guest button.

[Geek King]

One possible quick fix to check:

Sometimes the clips that hold the inside bit of the button to the case come loose. Pop off the front panel and see if the button is still connected correctly. If it is hanging loose, see what you can do to secure it back to the case.

[Jack]

In the meantime, if the button absolutely doesn't work and you must be able to turn it on and off using the power button, you can keep the case side off and use a screwdriver or similar to jump where the power button connects on the motherboard. You'll see the button connected to two pins if you look; you'll just need to connect them by any conductive means and it'll work like you're pressing the button. Should be safe.

[Geek King]

You'll see the button connected to two pins if you look; you'll just need to connect them by any conductive means and it'll work like you're pressing the button. Should be safe.

Also, make sure to look up, shake your fists at the heavens, and shout, "It's alive, It's ALIIIIIIIIIIIVE!"

[MrSmiley]

I'm tempted to hijack the thread... because while I have a power button that works, it doesn't work *well*. Though in my case I actually suspect the motherboard more than the power button itself. Symptoms include:

1. About half the time I try, a shutdown won't work. Or at least it will work up until the point where it's supposed to turn the computer off, at which point it will restart instead. I can manually turn it off by holding the power button for 10 seconds but...

2. Sometimes holding the power button won't shut it off either. Instead it will try to reboot. and try to reboot. and try to reboot... say every 10-15 seconds. It seems it's sending the signal through but getting the wrong choice. Luckily, after about 5 of these or so, the computer usually shuts down.

3. RARELY... I'll turn on the computer with the power button and the fans will spin... but nothing will appear on the screen. The BIOS doesn't boot up. Usually hitting reset once fixes this and causes the BIOS to start, do it's memory test and load the OS...

Anyhow, this has been bugging me for about 2 years... but at the same time while it can be annoying, it's VERY minor and easy to bypass... so I keep forgetting to do anything about it.

[tsar]

This really wasn't much of an issue at first, but eventually I got to where I almost "had" to leave my computer powered on 24/7, as I never knew if it was going to be a problem with getting the power button to work. (This was especially frustrating anytime the power went out in my apartment) And within the past few weeks, it's gotten to where the computer would shut off without notice.........it "died" for the last time Saturday morning.

and to make it short - I unfortunately do not have the time, money or ability to take it to a computer specialist....if anyone has an idea as to what might the issue be/how to fix it, it would be most appreciated!

I have actually had several "clients" with almost exactly the same issue.

The problem was the Power Supply Unit.

To test for this: shut down the computer, and remove the power cord. (optionally turn the machine off also from the PSU's power switch)
Press power button several times, as if trying to boot it up.
After about ten minutes, reattach the power cord, and try to boot up. (also remember to turn the PSU back on)

If the machine absolutely or nearly refuses to do anything, wait for an hour with power cord attached and the PSU switch set to "on", and try again.

If more "normal" start-up is achieved, don't bother fiddling with anything else, your PSU is fried. You'll find a selection in any self-respecting computer shop with prices varying from 30-ish bucks to over 500 bucks a piece. Also it is somewhat tricky to replace, though anyone who's connected their computer to the internet WILL be able to do the job. With some google-fu naturally. There are several pictorial references available, but I'm too lazy right now to look them up.



To Whom it May Concern:
There seems to be a batch of older PSU Capacitors frying themselves, at least on this corner of the world. Usually the symptoms given are somewhat identical to OP:s situation, where "the trusty old war-horse" craps out by not powering up. These cases have had no noticeable similarities besides symptoms and the fix, different PSU-OEM:s, etc.

[It's me]

Anyhow, this has been bugging me for about 2 years... but at the same time while it can be annoying, it's VERY minor and easy to bypass... so I keep forgetting to do anything about it.

This only happens after the O/S has loaded? Might be a driver issue.

[MrSmiley]

This only happens after the O/S has loaded? Might be a driver issue.

In my case, if it fails to start up, it's right at the system boot, e.g. before the memory test is run and the drives checked.

However what's more consistant is the SHUT DOWN item not working and instead restarting the system (I have to listen for the beep of a new boot).

[Jack T. Chance]

My guess? The button's broken. Yes, staggering leap, I know.

Unfortunately, there's not a lot you can do for a broken button. You can either repair it yourself, or get a new case and transfer all the components to it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-042-_-Product

That's the case I'd suggest, as I know it's reliable, and it's cheap. Granted, your computer might have an odd motherboard size, so you should double-check before you get it.

This is the easiest, fastest way to fix the problem. It's also a great opportunity, because it allows you to do other things at the same time. While you're pulling it apart, you could upgrade some components to make the computer more modern. Add more RAM, put in a better processor, switch to a more powerful graphics card or add one if you don't have one in the first place... plus switching out the housing will freshen up your computer's look!