URGENT: Need Expetrt Advice

[Robert]

Last Friday, my PC developed a very odd problem. It could not start. What's odd about that? Here goes:

1) PC is connected to a power-cord extension.
2) It was connected through a homeplug pass-through
3) Thinking the homeplus pass-through was dead, I unplugged the PC and connected to the next socket. It could start up.
4) I shutdown the PC.
5) Restarted the PC, again it could not startup.
6) I reconnected through the homeplug, it could startup.

7) Thinking it was a problem with the power-cord extension, I pulled a new power-cord extension from the living room. Connected the PC. It could start. Shutdown. Cannot start.

8) I took the PC to Sim Lim Square. The PC had no problems started and shutting down many, many times.

9) I came home, disconnected everything. Only power, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Same thing. Can start. Shutdown. Cannot start. Removed plug from socket. Plug to different socket. Can start up.

10) I even reset the main switchboard. No change.

H E L P !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jtjt00]

The problem probably lies with your PC.
List down your PC parts here.

 

[Robert]

The problem probably lies with your PC.
List down your PC parts here.

1. USB Mouse
2. Razer Keyboard
3. Samsung Monitor
4. CPU and harddisk
5. Onboard video and NIC
6. TV card
7. USB3.0 card

I've disconnected everything else.

I doubt if it's anything to do with the home power supply. We even turned off the main power switch at the switchboard. Then waited 2 minutes before turning it on again. Same.

 

[Mach3.2]

1. USB Mouse
2. Razer Keyboard
3. Samsung Monitor
4. CPU and harddisk
5. Onboard video and NIC
6. TV card
7. USB3.0 card

I've disconnected everything else.

I doubt if it's anything to do with the home power supply. We even turned off the main power switch at the switchboard. Then waited 2 minutes before turning it on again. Same.

PC Specs, like the one beside..............
--------------------------->

~Confidence for the Future.~

 

[Robert]

Processor:
Intel Core i5 661 @ 331 GHz

Harddisks
2 x 1 TB Drive

Main Board:
Gigabyte GA-H55 S2V

Monitor:
Samsung BX 2231

Video & NIC:
Onboard

Power:
Targa 250W (more than 5 years old)

Keyboard:
Razer Black Widow

Mouse:
PowerLaser GMX-5

O/S:
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premiun (SP1)

Scanner:
Epson Perfection V600 Photo

Printer:
HP ColourJet 2605dn

* NOTE: This is NOT a new recently built PC, but about one year old already *

 

[Louisloo]

Most probably, you are facing a cold soldier joint problem of the PSU. It causes intermittent disconnection of the power supply.

A replacement would solve this issue.

 

[Robert]

Most probably, you are facing a cold soldier joint problem of the PSU. It causes intermittent disconnection of the power supply.

A replacement would solve this issue.

Thanks so much - care to explain what you mean? And how it relates to the problem for my understanding.

I power on the PC. Work on it. Shutdown.

Power on unsuccessful. Need to unplug from power socket, replug it and then (sometimes) can reboot. If not, use anther socket.

 

[Louisloo]

Thanks so much - care to explain what you mean? And how it relates to the problem for my understanding.

I power on the PC. Work on it. Shutdown.

Power on unsuccessful. Need to unplug from power socket, replug it and then (sometimes) can reboot. If not, use anther socket.

Some solder connections in your PSU was not done properly during manufacturing. As a result, some of the joints are loose now and causes power supply to be connected and disconnected intermittently, which is what you a facing.

You can try..if cannot power up, just knock the computer or adjust the power cord a few times, and it is able to start..no need to change socket.

 

[Robert]

Some solder connections in your PSU was not done properly during manufacturing. As a result, some of the joints are loose now and causes power supply to be connected and disconnected intermittently, which is what you a facing.

You can try..if cannot power up, just knock the computer or adjust the power cord a few times, and it is able to start..no need to change socket.

Thanks for the explanation. Surprised that the solder joints only give problems after many years of usage!

Sometimes press [POWER] there is a delay of 1.to 2 secs before the power actually comes on.

 

[tingsters]

do u have spare PSU?
since if 5yrs y dun want try to replace it and try ? see whether if it solved yr issue?

 

[Robert]

do u have spare PSU?
since if 5yrs y dun want try to replace it and try ? see whether if it solved yr issue?

Unfortuately don't have liao.

Current Tagan very good (until now) - it was salvaged from my previous PC which was built in 2005.

 

[Louisloo]

Thanks for the explanation. Surprised that the solder joints only give problems after many years of usage!

I've come across some PSU nowadays cannot even last more than 3 months!!

 

[tingsters]

Unfortuately don't have liao.

Current Tagan very good (until now) - it was salvaged from my previous PC which was built in 2005.

Lolz i agree but then Tagan PSU have serve u 5yrs le, But if u dun try to replace how u know if is the Tagan who is cause all the issue that u have??

 

[tingsters]

I've come across some PSU nowadays cannot even last more than 3 months!!

Agree wif u lolz.. last time i bought one seventeam PSu 2mth later the PSU can start up.. le.. haizz..

 

[Robert]

Agree wif u lolz.. last time i bought one seventeam PSu 2mth later the PSU can start up.. le.. haizz..

Last time I use the generic PSU from my casing - use until got smoke after 1 month. After that change to another cheapo PSU used for about 12 months than konk - change to Tagan.

I assume Tagan is good /recommended among you chaps, yes?

 

[Robert]

Lolz i agree but then Tagan PSU have serve u 5yrs le, But if u dun try to replace how u know if is the Tagan who is cause all the issue that u have??

I did suspect PSU - yesterday brought to shop. No problems shutdown and startup about 12 times.

Lan-lan bring heavy CPU home - connect - same problem.

The variable factor is the changing of power sockets that enabled the system to be powered up - with this is was 50-50 that it was a PSU problem.

 

[Robert]

I did suspect PSU - yesterday brought to shop. No problems shutdown and startup about 12 times.

Lan-lan bring heavy CPU home - connect - same problem.

The variable factor is the changing of power sockets that enabled the system to be powered up - with this is was 50-50 that it was a PSU problem.

Thanks to everyone - changed power supply and all is well now.

 

[jtjt00]

You are playing dumb to your PC problem. One look at your old Tagan 250w PSU is enough for most here to suggest replacing it.

...Lan-lan bring heavy CPU home - connect - same problem......

 

[Robert]

You are playing dumb to your PC problem. One look at your old Tagan 250w PSU is enough for most here to suggest replacing it.

I would refrain from calling someone "dumb" if you (a) do not know my background; and (b) are not familiar with technical analysis.

It was very clear to me from the start that the PSU could be the problem. Yet when we brought the set back to the shop, the system did not show any signs. By simple analysis, if the system could boot at the shop and not at home, it would seem like the problem lies with the power socket. Wouldn't it seem so?

At that point, we had the homeplug running in the home. You might be aware that the homeplug uses your home powerline for communications. If there was a problem with the homeplug, it could also be a short in the circuit somewhere that causes the PSU of the PC (which is sensitive to spikes) so react erratically.

You have your point to make the change to the PSU. But many of us work from 8:30am-6:00pm - do not have the luxury of popping into Sim Lim Square at any time.

So, be sensitive to your remarks. No offence taken.

 

[skyline72]

Learnt something new.