plugging things into comp, order of operations?

BZeto

Platinum Member
Apr 28, 2002
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This question may seem so simple or just unessicary..... But after working on your PC, then pluggin everything back in, which things should be plugged in first, and last? I'm having problems with my PC when I plug the power cable into the PSU, it never boots up right after that. When I work on my PC I unplug everything (starting with power cable) and move it onto my table so I have a nice work area. But then when I'm done I put it back where it usually goes and plug everything else in starting with the speakers, then monitor cable, ect, ect, and the last thing will be the power cable. And when I plug in the power cable into the power supply I hear a little sound inside my computer, I cant really explain it. Should I plug the power cable in first? then everything else? Should I first turn of the power supply with the little switch on the back, plug in the cable, then flick the switch on? I'm just wondering what everyone else does.

I'm trying to troubleshoot a problem I have with when I give power to my PC it doesn't boot right until a couple presses of the restart button, then finally it'll boot completely. With normal shutdowns and without actually cutting full power from the PC it boots up fine.
 

panhead49

Golden Member
Jan 27, 2001
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dosent really matter....but some times ....depending on your bios settings...when you plug in your power cord the computer may come on.........
plug everything in (no order) then power cord last..
 

paperfist

Diamond Member
Nov 30, 2000
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www.the-teh.com
That sound is prolly the fans spinning up and powering off quick. You should make sure the 'little switch in the back' is OFF before plugging in the power cord. If the switch is on and you plug the power cable in you are sending power to the motherboard and I would say it's possible to short something out this way or atleast get a nice arc going. Making sure that switch is off ensures power isn't flowing.

Take a look at the motherboard some time, some of them have a green LED on them indicating power is to them, if the cord is plugged in and the switch is on you'll notice that the LED is lit. And then look at the LED when the switch is off, the LED is off, ie no power :)

When you say you are pressing the restart button do you mean the power button? Have you done an upgrade recently, like maybe a video card? It could be your power supply isn't putting out enough power now to get the computer running.

 

Davegod

Platinum Member
Nov 26, 2001
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Turn the PSU switch to OFF, and plug it in first. This leaves the case grounded and at lower risk from static etc, even if you turn the wallswitch off. No idea if this applies in countries without the 3rd earthing pin/wire. Not really a big issue tbh, can do it whichever way around - just make sure the PSU switch is set to off.
 

BZeto

Platinum Member
Apr 28, 2002
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But wouldn't plugging it in with the switch on the PSU off and then turning the switch on be the same thing as just plugging in the cord with the PSU on? It's still sending that initial power to the mobo....


I have an Antec 430 Watt True PSU. So I'm pretty sure its putting out enough power, and my voltages are pretty good. And when I say I'm pressing the reset switch I mean the actually reset switch, not the power switch. I haven't upgraded anything lateley, just switched fans.

from now on I'll keep the switch on the PSU off until the power cord is plugged back in.