desktop computer sticky on/off switch

chipp

The on/off button on my faithful old Acer Aspire X3960 is getting temperamental. I'd rather not let the machine out of my sight, is it the sort of thing I'm likely to be able to fix myself? Have screwdrivers etc but no specialist tools.


Many thanks

googler

Have you tried spraying some switch cleaner on it?

Mr.Generous

you can replace a pc switch with a door bell push - just attach the 2 wires and screw to the case. power switch is not like a normal switch, if you push and hold it powers off. a bell push is push and let go, works fine - but looks pretty awful. If it wasn't a money saving site I wouldn't mention it.

esuhl

You should be able to take off the side panel and unclip the fascia somehow. Then you can access the switch and maybe clean all the grit and gunk out.

Mr.Generous wrote: »

you can replace a pc switch with a door bell push - just attach the 2 wires and screw to the case. power switch is not like a normal switch, if you push and hold it powers off. a bell push is push and let go, works fine - but looks pretty awful. If it wasn't a money saving site I wouldn't mention it.

Heh. I once had an old PC with a broken switch. I just left the wires poking out the front. To turn the machine on, you'd just have to rub the bare ends together!

googler

A can of compressed air might help the cleaning process, once you've got the fascia off, and access to the rear of the switch.

Replacements will be easily found with a google for 'generic pc on off switch' or similar

http://www.amazon.in/Generic-Computer-Motherboard-Power-Switch/dp/B01983GRI8

spud17

I've recently fitted the blue version (matches the leds) of this to a pc with a broken switch.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Momentary-Push-Button-Horn-Switch-OFF-ON-Car-Dashboard-Boat-SPST-/261161661277?var=&hash=item3cce72b35d:m:mObc3y9qhvlKA8hVUKfcsCQ

I replaced the micro switch and push button with this, a bit of soldering was required along with a bit of ingenuity to fix it.:)

spud17

googler wrote: »

A can of compressed air might help the cleaning process, once you've got the fascia off, and access to the rear of the switch.

Replacements will be easily found with a google for 'generic pc on off switch' or similar

http://www.amazon.in/Generic-Computer-Motherboard-Power-Switch/dp/B01983GRI8

Only 240 what?? :eek:

chipp

I'm more nervous about opening up the case than anything else! Will it be OK to work on it upside down (to give easy access to these screws which are all underneath) or should I lay it on its side or front? Should the case slide off easily once I've undone all the screws I can see or will I need to wiggle it or open it out slightly (it doesn't have removable side panels like many desktops)? Are there retaining clips behind any of the screws that are likely to drop out onto any critical components? Someone must have taken apart one of these machines or something pretty similar, there must be loads of them out there!

Once I've managed to get inside, I'm hoping it will just be a bit of fluff on the contacts, easily cleared, because I have no soldering skills or kit.

googler

spud17 wrote: »

Only 240 what??

Don't be so cryptic. If you have a point to make, make it.

googler

Is it the model shown here?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1syFb7LhWOw

If so, you can see the clips holding the fascia at 0.20 - three of them, holding the plastic to the metal. See the middle one closer at 0.25 - 0.27.

Lever those off, the fascia should pop off, with it being hinged on the other side.

*j*

googler wrote: »

Don't be so cryptic. If you have a point to make, make it.

240 Rupees...about £2.60. plus postage of course.

Delve inside the cabinet, cut the two leads that go to the existing switch and connect the new push button switch ( http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Momentary-Push-Button-Horn-Switch-OFF-ON-Car-Dashboard-Boat-SPST-/261161661277?var=&hash=item3cce72b35d:m:mObc3y9qhv%20%20lKA8hVUKfcsCQ) to the existing leads. Use longer leads if necessary to enable the new switch to be outside the cabinet.