weird power problem

dboy

Golden Member
May 17, 2001
1,782
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My parents have a older gateway - P3/450. Sometimes (maybe 1/6 of the time) when you turn it on, it starts up but shuts back down after a couple seconds (when the bios info is still on the screen). If you keep trying it'll start all the way after a few tries and then run fine.

There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to when it happens - it can happen when first turned on in the morning or when rebooting in the evening after running for hours.

Thanks to gateway's tech support, they've replaced the mobo, ram, power supply (under warranty, so it's free). No luck. Any ideas what else to try? The only thing I can think of is a bigger PS. However, we've added nothing but some ram and a network card (and removed the modem) so I doubt that's the problem. I may go pick one up just in case though...
 

ttn1

Senior member
Oct 24, 2000
680
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Sounds like your power button is sticking. I'm assuming this is an ATX power supply. If you hold the power button in for, I believe, 6 seconds the machine will shut off. I would try a new power button.