pc wont switch on

tomsolomon

A.I. Perhapse you've upset the computer and it does'nt want to play with you any more :rotfl:

BritBrat

Just as a matter of interest I have returned from work tonight at 11 pm and my hubbie pressed the on button once and the damn thing has switched on.......after I have tried on and off all day!!

Was it pluged into the mains while you were out but not on?

It could be the CMOS battery needs replacing.

What ever it is it will be something simple.

lesley2004

Hi britbrat

Yes...it was pluged into the mains while i was outbut not on?

I tried it again this am before work and just now and it has switched on first time

Its a mystery!!!!!!!

BritBrat

Sounds like CMOS battery.

Leave it unpluged from mains over night and see if it starts in the morning.

If it does not, plug it into mains with power on but PC off and go to work or something. Then try it again when you get back.

Why do I say that? well while it is pluged into the mains with mains power on, there is a supply to the motherboard even when the PC is off and it charges the battery.

Cost of battery £2 I guess and may be cheaper, time to fit 10 mins.

Or you could just change it anyway and see if it fixes it, they are normally 2032 battery BUT you would have to check and make sure.

But normally when it is a CMOS battery the time clock gives the wrong time and you said it was OK, so maybe it's not the battery.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=6353368&postcount=19

lesley2004

Hi Britbrat

Ok that diagram looks complicated to a mere mortal as myself!!!!

The time is actually about 6 mins slow, I seem to think it often runs behind even though I often correct it, but that happens with the pc I use at work also..

I will try unplugging from the mains later and see what happens.....thanks for all your help, I just love this site...so many helpful people

Lesley

BritBrat

It's the battery.

Do the test tonight to prove it.

Ok that diagram looks complicated to a mere mortal as myself!!!!

It's only complicated if you look at the whole thing but just choose one part at a time and it's simple.

Changing the battery is no more complicated than doing it in a radio, just need to make sure you unplug the PC, ground yourself to radiator as I said before and make sure you put the battery in the right way round.

The only way it would be difficult is if you have poor access due to components in the way.

Pity I could not start up a PC health site and make money, but I am on incapacity benefit and not able to work.

lesley2004

Hi

I unplugged pc overnight-it worked first time when i plugged it back in

It worked all morning, switched it off at 2 pm and now when i try to switch on it is back to orange blinking light again

Do you think it is the cmos battery, because there doesnt seem to be a set pattern as to when it works and when it doesnt

BritBrat

Ummmmmmm, what were the error lights.

To be honnest for what the battery costs and the time to fit it, I would fit one anyway just to rule it out.

I would have expected it to go flat over night and not boot in the morning if left unpluged, then when pluged in and power to the PC but with PC off I would have expected it to then boot after some time and when battery had enough charge.

Pity it never played ball.

Reggie_Rebel

Dell usually give three years warranty, return to base for the last two, so before you go shelling out any money it might be worth getting in touch with Dell

BritBrat

Reggie_Rebel wrote:

Dell usually give three years warranty, return to base for the last two, so before you go shelling out any money it might be worth getting in touch with Dell

That could be good news.

It could be a dry joint on the motherboard and when it heats up the joint breaks contact and the switch will not work or what ever.

That would even be above my competence

Thanks.