Power supply Problem?

[willoverton]

My computer has a new problem. After using it the other night, I logged off and went to bed. The next morning I pushed button on front of desktop case and nothing happened. I then flipped on/off button on power supply on back of computer and then computer fired up ok.
It has repeated this same problem several times except now it takes 2 or 3 trys on the on/off switch to get it to start up.

Is this a Power Supply Failure problem( needing new power supply)?

Power supply is about 4 1/2 years old and never has given a problem till now.

I run xp prof if that might make difference.

Thanks in advance.

[Midknyte]

The OS shouldn't make a difference.

I would try swapping out the PSU.

You should also check the motherboard for bad caps.
http://www.badcaps.net/

[Ol'Tunzafun]

Yes, it is most probably the power supply but could also be bad caps on the motherboard.
http://loopyfilms.blogspot.com/2007/...ike-again.html

Oops, M got in there ahead of me , but a second opinion is always good, even (or especially) when it is the same.

[willoverton]

I try that 1st.

[willoverton]

I turned surge protector off over night......turned back on in the AM. Now computer
starts up fine. This only works IF I turn off surge protector off and then back on again a little later.????

[Ol'Tunzafun]

That amounts to the same thing as toggling the power on the back of the power supply.

[Midknyte]

There could still be a problem with the PSU or your caps. If you turn off the surge protector, then the caps will start to discharge.

[willoverton]

There could still be a problem with the PSU or your caps. If you turn off the surge protector, then the caps will start to discharge.

I understand PSU but what are "Caps" and where are they located?

[Rocketmech]

Caps gone bad

"Caps" is short for capacitors. A common problem with electronics is bad caps. You can look the motherboard over carefully easy enough for any bad caps but you will need to remove the power supply and open it up to see if there are any bulging or leaking caps. Before opening the case or psu, turn off the pc, unplug the power cord then push and hold the power button in for 30 sec. to help discharge the capacitors.

[Midknyte]

The OS shouldn't make a difference.

I would try swapping out the PSU.

You should also check the motherboard for bad caps.
http://www.badcaps.net/

I posted the link to badcaps in post #2.