Weird Power Problem With PC, When Turned Off For A While...

[Sithtiger]

I've got a weird problem with a system I've just built for someone. If the system has been turned off for an hour or more, you have to flip the power switch on the PSU from the On position, to off, back to on again and then it boots just fine. If the computer is turned off for less than an hour, it's fine and you don't have to do this. It's like when the computer's been off for an hour or more, the power drains from the system and it's like you've turned to power switch on the back of the PSU to off, when if fact it's on. Any ideas as to what is causing is and how to fix it?

Here's the specs to this computer: A64 X2 4400+, MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum, 2GB of Corsair ValueRAM (4 x 512MB), GeForce 7800 GTX 512, Seagate 400MB 7200 RPM IDE HD, Lite-On 20x Burner and OCZ GameXStream 850 watt PSU.

 

[Jiggz]

Sounds like a leaky capacitor in the PSU. Try another PSU just for troubleshooting purposes. Even a quality 400-450W will do. If the problem goes away, you know its the PSU. If the problem persists, it could be a bad cap on the mobo which I seriously doubt.

 

[Sithtiger]

Thanks, that's exactly what I've just done....now I have to wait a 2+ hours to see if it works or not. I've posted this question at a couple other sites to see what people thing and that's the first answer I've heard that's been very descriptive about what might have caused it. Thanks....now I just have to wait!

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: Jiggz
Sounds like a leaky capacitor in the PSU. Try another PSU just for troubleshooting purposes. Even a quality 400-450W will do. If the problem goes away, you know its the PSU. If the problem persists, it could be a bad cap on the mobo which I seriously doubt.

QFT. Power leakage was the first thing I thought of when reading it.

 

[Slammy1]

Cold boot issues are usually PSU related.

 

[Sithtiger]

And you would right this time as well. I tried my old PSU and waited 3 hours and presto (sorry couldn't think of anything more original) my old PSU worked just like it did in my old case! This is the first time I've ever seen a bad PSU right off the getgo. I know Scott Mueller in his books say the PSU is the component that goes bad the most but I've never seen a bad one especially and expensive $200 OCZ 850 watt PSU go bad before. I know it can happen to any component but oh well.

I can begin to tell you how good this makes me feel. I can handle a problem as long as I know what is wrong. Now I know....and knowings half the battle (GI JOOOOOE).

Seriously though....thanks for your help guys!