Power button not working on a shuttle XPC SN41G2

[mrwooster]

I have a 6 year old shuttle Xpc SN41G2, (found a few pics of it here http://techreport.com/articles.x/4559/1). The machine has not been used for about 4 years but I am thinking of using it as a low end media/nas server for my house. When I plug the machine in and press the power on button, nothing happens. At first I thought this might be due to a faulty power supply, but by disconnecting the lead linking the power button to the main board, and bridging the two connecting points on the board, the box started up fine.

If I now reconnect the power button and press it the machine turns off, but the power button does not work to turn the machine back on again.... Also, it seems that leaving the power button disconnected, the machine occasionally turns itself on after around 30 seconds.

I am not a hardware expert so was wondering if anyone had any advice as to how to proceed? Is it possible to replace / get a makeshift power button, or is it possible that its nothing to do with the power button and is actually a problem with the main board?

Thanks

 

[Tealc]

The switch sounds as if it's corroded or something and could be sticking closed or open or worst still going between the two when it feels like. As for the shut down it may be unrelated to the switch issue as you say it is occasional. A replacement makeshift switch should be easy to wire up but you'd need to source a momentary non latching switch. The simplest switch would be two bare wires touched together and then separated.

 

[mrwooster]

Ok, I have got a makeshift switch going and it looks like the switch might not actually be the problem.

When I activate the switch (i.e. connect the two terminals that are supposed to power the system on), nothing happens... however, around 10-15 seconds after the the terminals have been connected and then unconnected (the times vary and sometimes this does not happen at all), the system suddenly powers on. Could this be a problem with the main board? And how should I proceed?