Diagnosing broken power switch?

marti996 · 14 May 2016 at 19:15

Recently my power switch has been acting up it all began with it not turning on as soon as I pressed it and i would have to press it a further 10-15 times until it actually powered on. It then got to the point it wouldn't power on at all and so I googled the issue and switched the power and reset switches on my mobo but to little avail as now that's not really working and I'm basically switching the both back round again every time i want to power my computer on.

Not sure if I've put this in the right section or not but I would really appreciate anyone who may know what the issue could be or who has come across it before. I did try and search for it online but had difficulty tracking down something that matched up with my scenario.

Pc specs are;

Coolermaster haf x case
Gigabyte Z97X
intel i5 4690k oc'd
120 gb ssd
500gb hdd
16gb 1333mhz ram
gtx 970

Cheers

Tealc · 15 May 2016 at 07:56

So when you press the button does anything actually happen?

Does the shorting of the relevant motherboard header work?

freddie64 · 15 May 2016 at 08:35

Check the wire going to the back of the power button is still connected.

Rustyone · 15 May 2016 at 08:46

Does it power up using the motherboard power switch ?

Check the wires are all connected, test the switch with a multi meter.

marti996 · 15 May 2016 at 11:44

It's very temperamental because the power button still will power my pc up but only after I've kept unplugging my whole setup at the mains and after I've pulled the power switch from the motherboard and put it back in again. Otherwise I usually push the button so many times then realize it's not going to come on this time and resort to opening the case up.

Again with shorting the motherboard powerswitch that is the same sometimes it works and then it doesn't. I've checked the connections between the power button and it is all secure.

I'm dumbfounded really

scrivz69 · 15 May 2016 at 11:58

Swap the reset and power buttons on the mobo and see if that works, so you press the reset button to turn on and the power to reset.

Rustyone · 15 May 2016 at 12:00

If it's not working properly using the motherboard power switch reseat the cables from the psu to the board, or try and test with a different psu

marti996 · 15 May 2016 at 14:50

I did do that and it's still just as temperamental at first it worked and now its not I'm really at a loose end.

Is it possible to buy replacement power leads, for the front panel to the mobo?

Rustyone · 15 May 2016 at 17:49

You could contact the case maker and see if they have replacements.

Or use one of these to make a test switch.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/lian-li-pt-sk07b-power-and-reset-button-kit-ca-414-ll.html

marti996 · 16 May 2016 at 19:19

I may give the test switch a try because I'm becoming convinced its the culprit as what else could it be if once I can get my pc to power on it can stay running seemingly fine for hours?

Holst1981 · 16 May 2016 at 19:42

You may have a problem with your psu.

The 5v vsb should be powered on all the time.
If there is a problem with the psu itself or the psu wiring it may cause these symptoms.
5v vsb also powers your usb sockets when your pc is off.

May be worth unplugging usb devices to see if one is at fault.

marti996 · 18 May 2016 at 20:52

Given its intermittent nature I can only assume this suggests it may be the PSU? All my usbs are running fine. Other than trying a known good PSU is it possible to diagnose a problem with it any other way?

I'd rather not shell out for a new one unless I'm sure it's knackered

Cheers for all the replies all