Computer only starts when I hold down the power button:- Faulty Power Button or Faulty PSU?

Freddie1980 · 26 Jul 2019 at 14:12

Edit: Issue has been resolved. It turns out my PSU was faulty.
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I had this issue with my aging PC for ages, when I go to turn the computer on from cold most of the time the computer won't start when I press the power button. To get it to start I have to hold in the power button for about 5 to 10 seconds, release and then press it again and that generally after that it works (not always so I have to repeat the process) but it's annoying.

I had to replace the motherboard and video card sometime ago but I'm still having the same issues turning the whole system on. I tend to think it's either the PSU (Corsair AX650) or the actual power button on the case (Corsair 350D). Has anyone else had this issue or know what part it the likely culprit?

Freddie1980 · 26 Jul 2019 at 15:14

I replaced the motherboard back in February and I'm sure I have some space CMOS batteries around somewhere. Thanks for the suggestion.

I must admit I did do some reading on this matter (all be it there wasn't much material coming up on google) and that also pointed towards the PSU. Shame that PSU cost a lot of money but there have been a few posts around here about Corsair PSU's not cutting the mustard in terms of reliability. I have an old Seasonic in my HPTC which is still going well, I might rip that out and try it and see that fixes the issue.

Freddie1980 · 27 Jul 2019 at 07:56

PowerPie5000 said:
Try flicking the switch to the off position on the actual PSU (or unplug from wall) and leave it for about 20 minutes. Switch it back on (or plug it in) and see if the PC powers up first time when you press the power button on the case.

I had this issue with an old HP PC a while back and it turned out to be a faulty PSU (most likely bad caps).

Funnily enough when I rebuilt it with the new motherboard it did boot up first time of asking but after that it went back to normal.

Freddie1980 · 27 Aug 2019 at 09:59

Just to give some closure on this I swapped out the PSU (Corsair AX650) with my much older and uglier Seasonic (naked cables) and the issue has been fully resolved. I have to say though I'm really disappointed with that Corsair PSU, it wasn't cheap and I expected it to last a long time (my PC bear gets stressed this days, web browsing and light gaming in the form of AOE 2).