Computer will only start sometimes, I need help please

rcssmb

Is it a packard bell? I had one that did that but never found out what the cause was.

Just replaced it with a new Dell which after four weeks doesnt work. Awaiting a replacement....

tinkerbelle

No, it was one that i brought nearly 2 years ago but i cant remember the make. I couldn't be bothered to spend nearly 20 minutes each day trying to get it on and brought a new one. It would always eventually go on but as i said it can take up to 20 minutes for me to get it started but once it is on it will work fine.

*!*HIBS*!*

tinkerbelle wrote: »

No, it was one that i brought nearly 2 years ago but i cant remember the make. I couldn't be bothered to spend nearly 20 minutes each day trying to get it on and brought a new one. It would always eventually go on but as i said it can take up to 20 minutes for me to get it started but once it is on it will work fine.

A temporary measure that you could try. After the PC has been shutdown after use, don't switch it off at the mains (yes I am aware of the small amounts of electricity that may be in use here). Do this each time after each use and see if you are able to power up the PC immediately when you next come to use it to see if you still have to spend time to try and get it going.

tinkerbelle

Thanks i will give that a go over the weekend.

HoofeHearted

The likes of Packard Bell are made with cheap components, especially PSU.

I had to repair a faulty one for a friend. PSU (250w!!!!) died and took the mobo with it. Went to my local computer shop to buy new bits and was told that they get lots of these type of PCs to repair and it is due to the cheap PSU giving up the ghost and frequently taking out the mobo/CPU with it.

I always replace dead PSUs with a 'decent' one 450w minimum. (£18)

BritBrat

CMOS battery?

Has the computer been unused for a while.

If you leave the computer pluged in over night with power on does it then start?

If you remove the power (turned off at wall) over night does it not then start?

If so it's the CMOS battery, they are not expensive so replace it anyway.

totalsolutions

Reseat the RAM and video cards. Reseat the power leads as well.

The PSU's are cutting edge in my book. Nothing standard or easy to repair. A lot of internally generated power and control signals. They use high quality fine tolerence parts, could you make and distribute for £5?

tinkerbelle

Has the computer been unused for a while.
It was being used every day up until 3 months ago when i got tired of spending 20 minutes a day to switch it on. It is now being used daily again.

If you leave the computer pluged in over night with power on does it then start?
Nope it still takes about 20 minutes of trying.

If you remove the power (turned off at wall) over night does it not then start?
I have not tried this yet but will do so.

BritBrat

If you leave the computer pluged in over night with power on does it then start?
Nope it still takes about 20 minutes of trying.

Then it won't if it's not been powered, the two questions were related to each other.

I would also try what totalsolutions said, remove each componant one at a time and reseat them, could be just a poor connection somewhere and removing/refitting may make the contact good again.

We had this problem with someone else but theirs was a Dell.

When you switch it on it bleeps

When you say it beeps, is it just one beep?

One beep is good anything else is not, if it is more than one try and make a note of what it is as that will give you a clue to the fault.

Beep Codes

tinkerbelle

It just does one bleep and the light comes on, the fans whirl and then it cuts itself out. I turn the computer off at the switch at the back of the computer and wait for the green light to go off inside and then attempt to switch it on again. It takes roughly 20 attempts to get it on but everytime it does bleep just the once.