computer takes several seconds to power up

drowddrowd Texas
edited November 2004 in Hardware
so, something sort of weird is going on with my girlfriends computer. i built it for her this summer and so far we havent had any problems. however, just recently a weird thing has started happening. when you hit the power button, nothing happens, but if you wait a few seconds (about 5), THEN it comes on. but before that, there are no noises, no video card fans, no hard drives spinning, and most definitely nothing on the monitor.

my initial thought is that its the power switch in the case, but this sort of action seems like its deeper in electronics than that, like a resistor or capacitor issue, so my next thought would be the power supply. i suppose the worst would be the motherboard, but i am really hoping thats not it (especially since i built it for her and she was a tad wary of that from the start)

anyway, this is just an issue i have never dealt with before, and as far as i know everything else is running perfectly fine. i am writing this from her computer, so its perfectly accessible, so if there is anything someone wants me to try, just let me know

i know you guys can come through for me :thumbsup:

Comments

  • KholdKhold KY
    edited November 2004
    Power supply might be going out, but then again in order for your power supply to engage it gets its connection through the motherboard. Via the cpu switch > MB > PSU.
    Easiest thing is to swap out the PSU with another one and see if it takes care of the problem. Never know the cpu switch could be not fully depressing. If not it could possibly be the MB.
  • verselloversello New
    edited November 2004
    I'd try what Khold reccomended.

    But some other advice is never build a computer for your GF. :thumbsup:
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited November 2004
    I'm also suggesting the PSU swap and see what happens. It's the easiest thing to swap out and the first place I'd check. I don't think it'd be the switch as any time I've had something fail like that it's never been a delay before it turned on it required hitting the button multiple times before it registered it.

    The other thing to check would be the surge protector could be dieing. They have capacitors and resistors in them and if they are starting to fail they can also cause that sort of problem.
  • izzugotomizzugotom Member
    edited November 2004
    The MB suppresses the processor from starting till it gets the Power-Good-Signal from PSU, only then it starts, so it looks like the PSU is batteling to get stable initially....
    :fold:
    http://www.pcguide.com/ref/mbsys/bios/boot_Sequence.htm
    Startup:
    The internal power supply turns on and initializes. The power supply takes some time until it can generate reliable power for the rest of the computer, and having it turn on prematurely could potentially lead to damage. Therefore, the chipset will generate a reset signal to the processor (the same as if you held the reset button down for a while on your case) until it receives the Power Good signal from the power supply.
    :fold:



    :jelly:
    If it packs up, it may cost you dearly, so swop PSU 1st.
    :drinkup:
    Also check your BIOS power settings, see if any choices may relate to this. :loco:
  • drowddrowd Texas
    edited November 2004
    ok, here is an update:

    so, the two suggestions that i have got from this thread is the PSU and the surge protector, i know everyone said the PSU would be easiest, but at her place, it was just as easy to go pick up a surge protector from best buy real quick and swap it out. BUT, before we did that, i did a few tests. i figured that if it was the surge protector, the pc wouldnt have a problem booting straight from the wall SO i powered it down, plugged it into the wall, and it booted right up. but i wanted to make sure that it wasnt cuz it had just been on, so i had it off all night, and tried it again in the morning on a cold boot, and sure enough, it came right up, none of this wait 5 seconds crap. now, maybe i am wrong, but that said to me that it was the surge protector, however, we went and picked up a new surge protector (Belkin SurgeMaster) from best buy, and it STILL does it.

    PSU is next, but what was faulty about my reasoning before?
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited November 2004
    How many other things does she have plugged into this surge protector? Like a bar fridge or a tv, umm space heater, or just a lot of stuff. If' she's in a place (appartments are notorious for this) with poor wiring or an old fuze box there may not be enough juice to power everything you've got plugged into that one circut.
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