PC won't power up properly - help needed!

madindehead · 28 Jun 2016 at 11:13

I am having an issue with my PC not powering up properly:

When I push the power button on the case, the PC won't turn on. I have to flip the switch on the PSU several times to get it to power on.

I have tested the PSU by shorting the 24 pin connector, and it powers on fine first time. The case button isn't the problem either, as using the power button on the motherboard doesn't work.

Could it just be a motherboard issue? Any other suggestions?

varkanoid · 28 Jun 2016 at 11:34

madindehead said:
I have tested the PSU when sorted, and it powers on fine first time.?

What does this mean ?

Need to list your spec and do any fans spin when you say the PC wont turn on, any readouts on the motherboard, any picture on the screen.

madindehead · 28 Jun 2016 at 11:52

varkanoid said:
What does this mean ?

Need to list your spec and do any fans spin when you say the PC wont turn on, any readouts on the motherboard, any picture on the screen.

A typo. Shorting the 24-pin connector on the PSU makes the PSU power up fine.

Spec is in my sig. No fans spin (all connected to the motherboard). I've not checked the motherboard for readouts, partly because the thing doesn't respond. No picture on the screen. Again, it simply doesn't power up at all, until I flick the PSU switch a few times, then it boots up fine. No problems when running at all.

varkanoid · 28 Jun 2016 at 13:13

madindehead said:
A typo. Shorting the 24-pin connector on the PSU makes the PSU power up fine.

Spec is in my sig. No fans spin (all connected to the motherboard). I've not checked the motherboard for readouts, partly because the thing doesn't respond. No picture on the screen. Again, it simply doesn't power up at all, until I flick the PSU switch a few times, then it boots up fine. No problems when running at all.

Shorting the 24 pin connector doesnt prove the PSU works you need a PSU tester really to check the voltage outputs. You can get one for about a tenner.

try shorting the 24 pin, plug a fan into a molex and does the fan work ?
If you unplug your peripherals, eg hd/ssd and have one stick of ram in does it fire up ? Have you tried clearing cmos on motherboard ?

madindehead · 28 Jun 2016 at 13:22

varkanoid said:
Shorting the 24 pin connector doesnt prove the PSU works you need a PSU tester really to check the voltage outputs. You can get one for about a tenner.

try shorting the 24 pin, plug a fan into a molex and does the fan work ?
If you unplug your peripherals, eg hd/ssd and have one stick of ram in does it fire up ? Have you tried clearing cmos on motherboard ?

Will give that a shot tonight. Where can I buy a PSU tester from?

What I meant was, that the PSU is at least powering up when shorting the connectors. Also, the PC doesn't have any issues once turned on. It makes me feel like it's a motherboard issue with power up rather than anything else. There are no problems when it's playing games.

varkanoid · 28 Jun 2016 at 15:40

madindehead said:
Will give that a shot tonight. Where can I buy a PSU tester from?

What I meant was, that the PSU is at least powering up when shorting the connectors. Also, the PC doesn't have any issues once turned on. It makes me feel like it's a motherboard issue with power up rather than anything else. There are no problems when it's playing games.

I got mine from the blue shirts. Its been invaluable throughout the years.

This makes me think its not the motherboard especially as the fans dont turn when you switch on. (do they even twitch?). If the PSU is not supplying the correct voltage to power the motherboard the same result. Almost like switching it on/off a few times warms it up. Could be wrong but dont rule it out.

Trouble is you need to get another MB or PSU to test the theory.

madindehead · 28 Jun 2016 at 15:58

varkanoid said:
I got mine from the blue shirts. Its been invaluable throughout the years.

This makes me think its not the motherboard especially as the fans dont turn when you switch on. (do they even twitch?). If the PSU is not supplying the correct voltage to power the motherboard the same result. Almost like switching it on/off a few times warms it up. Could be wrong but dont rule it out.

Trouble is you need to get another MB or PSU to test the theory.

When I press the case button nothing appears to happen. Only when I toggle the switch 3-4 times, does it kick into life.

I have bought a new PSU for now, and will test that. If that doesn't work, it'll be a new motherboard. I will look into a PSU tester.