Computer Problems

Better ATX power supplies (the ATX is the format of the power supply in most of today's PCs) have a circuit in them that will detect repeated rapid connection and disconnection from the mains. Leave it unplugged for 10 minutes and it should clear itself.

On another note, some of the power supplies have NTC Inrush Thermistors in them to assist in reducing the inrush currents on power up. I have seen where fast turn on/off cycles do not allow the thermistor to cool off to its protection level, so a subsequent turn on offers too much inrush current and damages the supply. In that case, the supply would need to be replaced and/or repaired.

It's not a lucky cat, it was just using up one of its nine lives.

The comment on powering down for awhile sounds good. I had the same flashing light on my HP, I replaced the power supply. Problem solved.

This is the time that you review your backup practices. I did and found mine lacking. Problem is it doesn't seem to have made an impression on me.

"This is the time that you review your backup practices. I did and found mine lacking. Problem is it doesn't seem to have made an impression on me."

Good answer tha. Welcome to CR4.

milo

This sounds similar to a problem we had in our office a year or two ago with a whole batch of Dell computers. It was related to the the Thermistors on the motherboard. As was mentioned earlier they overheated and the motherboard had to be replaced. You may be able to claim ignorance and get it covered under warranty.

I was able to get some of them to restart if I opened the computer and hit the reset button inside and then rebotted after a five or ten minutes. Eventually the computer would power down overnight due to software updates and never be able to reboot.

Good luck

Here is what I do.

Works 90% of the time.

Take a 100 W Light bulb and a 100 Ohm BIG wattage resistor I think mine is 20W cement type It will get hot so make sure its on something that wont burn or get damaged.

Hook the bulb and resistor in series with the 12V line off any of the connectors used for the HDD, CD, etc.. and ground.

Disconnect ALL power supply connections.

On the Main connector that hooks to the Motherboard one side has about 5 black wires with one GREEN then one or two more blacks. (I think the green wire is pin 17 not sure on that. Been awhile) Its pretty obvious.

Connect the GREEN wire with a paper clip to any of the black wires on the same side.

Plug PS in and turn on the switch on the back.

If the light glows consistently the PS is Probably ok. You can repeat the same test on the 5V line. These are the two biggest current draws.

If the light flutters fast or gets dim and bright or bright and dim. The PS is shot.

This is an old TV repair trick and don't learn the hard way by trying to skip the resistor in the test jig. The light bulb (any bulb) is a direct short until it starts to glow. This WILL mess with your experiment by causing the PS to go into shutdown because of the short. Instead of going into shutdown because it broken...See the dilemma?

Good luck!

bill12780