Desktop Computer Only Turns on When I Hit It

[tableset]

I have a desktop computer I built several years ago and which was shipped cross country a month ago. Yesterday I jostled the computer cleaning dust off the outside of the case and it suddenly turned off. I opened it up and turned it on it's side looking for a loose wire while trying to turn it back on and got nothing. I then stood the computer back upright, again jostling it, and it magically turned back on without me even pressing the power button. In the process of moving the computer back to my desk it turned off by itself again, and then turned on again after I jostled/hit it several times.

Basically anytime I touch the computer in the perfect way it turns on/off. My obvious guess is that a wire or something is loose, but I can't find anything that's obviously loose. Based on this information are there any specific places I should be looking for a loose component?

 

[Steltek]

Trace the power cables from the power supply to their destinations, firmly reseating them (if the power supply is modular, firmly seat both ends). I'd also check the case switch - does it turn off and on if you disconnect the case switch and activate the machine by shorting the switch pins on the motherboard?

It is also possible that something is grounding somewhere between the motherboard and the case. You might dismount the motherboard and check for standoffs or anything else that might be shorting out against the case. While you have it out, closely examine the motherboard for blown capacitors.

As a last resort, there could be some sort of damaged component that isn't immediately apparent. You could always try to swap out the power supply.

 

[tableset]

I've tried reseating all cables from the power supply with no luck. Shorting the power pins on the motherboard does not turn on the computer. I'll try dismounting the motherboard and see if I can find anything. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Ketchup]

These are tough. It almost sounds like there is a problem within the power supply itself though. Most of the time when there is a shorting issue outside the ps, it will power on for a second, and power back off. In this case, it doesn't power on at all when you want it to, and stays on when you don't mean to turn it on.

 

[Virgorising]

I just can not resist: Is the desktop named Rhianna?:whiste::sneaky:

 

[Steltek]

What make and model power supply is in the machine?

 

[tableset]

This is the PSU I'm using: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139012 I don't have another power supply lying around to test out instead unfortunately.

 

[Steltek]

This is the PSU I'm using: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139012 I don't have another power supply lying around to test out instead unfortunately.

Pretty decent power supply. Without having parts to swap, you aren't going to be able to troubleshoot this much farther. I suppose you could always RMA the power supply as it has a 7 year warranty.

 

[tableset]

Also, I'm not sure if this matters but the blue and orange lights my motherboard do come on and work 100% of the time.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

It might be worth checking the front panel on/off switch. What case have you got ?

There is a small lead between the motherboard and power switch, which can fall out, especially if it was not fully in, and the computer has a lot of bangs/shocks.

There are ways of turning the computer on/off with a screwdriver between 2 pins, I've forgotten the details (pin numbers, of other method, using power supply coloured leads), and other methods, I'm sure someone else can say. (Between pins of where on/off switch plugs in on motherboard).
There are many other possible things to check, the above is only one line of enquiry.

 

[tableset]

So I just did the paper clip test: http://www.corsair.com/en/blog/testing-your-corsair-power-supply/ on my power supply and the PSU worked perfectly. At this point I'm fairly certain it has to be something wrong with the motherboard.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

So I just did the paper clip test: http://www.corsair.com/en/blog/testing-your-corsair-power-supply/ on my power supply and the PSU worked perfectly. At this point I'm fairly certain it has to be something wrong with the motherboard.

What motherboard is it ?

 

[tableset]

So everything is now fixed and working perfectly, but I'm still not quite sure what the root problem was. After I took out my PSU to try the paper click test I tried hooking it all up to the motherboard again and everything suddenly worked perfectly. I'm guessing in the process of unplugging and replugging everything I must have jiggled something or fixed a loose wire. Anyway, thanks again for all the help.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

So everything is now fixed and working perfectly, but I'm still not quite sure what the root problem was. After I took out my PSU to try the paper click test I tried hooking it all up to the motherboard again and everything suddenly worked perfectly. I'm guessing in the process of unplugging and replugging everything I must have jiggled something or fixed a loose wire. Anyway, thanks again for all the help.

Well done!