Motherboard or PSU?

Had a strange problem crop up this morning.

I turn on my PC, and the fans kick up but nothing happens. Black screen, So i hit the power button, which generally at this point would usually turn the machine straight off. But instead I had to press and hold it, inorder to see the computer power off. Now I thought, Crap, Motherboard.

But I've found that if i power up the computer, and turn the pc off via the power supply switch, and wait about 20 seconds, and switch the switch back on. The computer powers up! Without the need for me to hit the button on the front. Now that's very unusual.

I kinda have my fingers crossed for it being the PSU being dodgy, I mean it is an infamous Jeantech...I know I know, Its all i could get at the time, And I never replaced it afterwards lol. But if its the PSU I can happily just get a better brand PSU and live on with it

Sounds PSU related, and since you have a Jeantech you might be inclined to upgrade it anyway.

Before you do anything make sure all your front panel connectors are secure and in place. Make sure they aren't shorting. You can jump start the PC by using a flat end screw driver just to see if it fires up ok thereby eliminating any FP connectors.

Next check your is your PSU is functioning as expected. Use my guide here:
http://www.huddysworld.co.uk/index....rking&catid=40:techie-talk-hardware&Itemid=72

If your PSU is ok, then check your RAM modules by using MEMTEST86+.

Check the manufacturers website for recommended voltage and timings etc.
Try running your system with one stick of RAM at a time and try that stick in different slots. If the RAM stick fails in all slots, then its almost certainly a RAM problem. If the working RAM stick works in one slot but not another, then this is looking at a memory controller problem.

Thanks for that, So just so i'm clear, Bridging the 2 power switch pins on the mobo with a flathead driver for a second should boot the machine? If all is fine with the PSU I mean. As I'll give that a go when i get back home

Yes just conduct the two pins just to get it stated. If that works then you eliminating the FP connectors, if not then you can start looking at your PSU.

I did have a very simular problem with one of my workshop PCs.. Just turned out to be a faullty FP cable..

Hi, I tried everything suggested and no luck. But thanks, even swapped out the power supply completely. I've gone as far as stripped the system down completely. And cleaned it. Still no luck. In putting the system back together I noticed something below the memory slot. Looks like a chip could be missing from below the second slot? Posting from my blackberry. Sorry if the picture is too big and I hope all this makes sense. Thanks

I doubt if it's the chip as manufacturers will often leave chips off boards as they utilise one layout for multiple versions.

Those capacitors seem to be bulging though. That can't be good. Do any of the capacitors have a residue at the top where the little cross is?

Christ, you know I never even spotted that. Will have a check tonight. I think its new motherboard time.