PC Doesn't Always Power On

[h7o]

My 4 and a half year old computer doesn't always power on when I press the power button. About half the time, the first push will turn on the computer, but the rest of the time I'll have to repeatedly push 3-50 times before the computer powers up. Sometimes I'll just hold it, and the computer will turn on within 30 seconds.

Flipping the PSU switch on and off doesn't seem to affect the problem.

The other problem is that windows occassionally freeze in halo multiplayer while the server cycles through maps. The computer freezes right when it says 'Welcome [your name].' I'm guess the problems are related since they both started about 1.5 months ago. It could be just a problem with my graphics card since halo is the most intensive game that I play.

Is my PSU getting old? I don't have any spare parts so I can't test to isolate components. I'd just like educated guesses as to when the computer will stop working and what parts are likely to be defective.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

The case switch itself may be the problem. You can test the switch by momentarily shorting the pins with a screwdriver to start the computer. The switch as you may know is a soft switch merely signaling the MB of a change in state and does not control the flow of juice to your rig.

More than likely, your gaming problems are unrelated to the power issue and more likely the result of driver conflicts.

 

[h7o]

Thanks for the response. I've done what you suggested and it doesn't seem to be the switch. Also, the computer will occasionally start for about 1/10 of a second then shut off immediately when using the case switch or screwdriver.

Anything else I can do to pinpoint the bad part?

 

[Seekermeister]

Do you have an Antec power supply? If so, that is probably the problem. I have an Antec, and anytime that I unplug it, or turn off the rear power switch, it won't power up for a minute or two. I have no problem shutting down or rebooting, so long as the power supply is getting power. In my case, I don't even have to touch the switch again...just wait.

 

[h7o]

No, I don't have an Antec, but your problem exactly describes my problem. The computer is fine if I leave the rear switch on. Thanks for the solution.

 

[Jiggz]

I never turn off my system PSU switch off unless I do maintenance inside the case. Shut down by Windows is good enough to power down any system. Anyways, there is still something wrong wit the PSU although it can be alleviated it's still not normal. Have you tried another PSU?