Why is my computer only starting up intermittently?
UnknownSaint
KasynRegistered User regular
KasynRegistered User regular
So I have this little HP MediaCenter 8430f box I got recently. I'm way pleased with it, though the past few days there are some pretty major problems. Sometimes it simply doesn't boot up. The first time this happened I was gone for an hour or so and it was on standby, I come back and it's off. Refuses to start up. Power cord out, hold the power button for thirty seconds and no dice there either. Tried a different cord, no luck. I left it unplugged for an hour or so and tried again and it magically worked. Amazing.
Anyhow, this same thing happened a few days later. The same thing fixed it, though this time it was only a few minutes unplugged until it started working again.
I began shutting my computer off when I left instead of leaving it idle, assuming that something about the sleep or standby was fucking it up, and this was working perfectly until this morning when it doesn't start up. It started up just now hours later, though I didn't really do anything special to get it working, I just kept trying and got lucky.
So what could this possibly be? All signs point to a PSU issue, but I've been told these boxes use OEM power supplies and I would have to order through a manufacturer. I'd prefer to just buy one from a computer supply store and swap it out myself, as I can at least handle that much.
Note - I do have a surge protector, and I'm also pretty certain it's not a heating or fan issue, as both of my fans are working pretty well and this machine doesn't run too hot at all from what I can tell.
A friend recommended a power conditioner unit that has battery backup, saying I could also use something of this extent to figure out if maybe something with my power is what's fucking it up.
Thanks for any and all advice!
Anyhow, this same thing happened a few days later. The same thing fixed it, though this time it was only a few minutes unplugged until it started working again.
I began shutting my computer off when I left instead of leaving it idle, assuming that something about the sleep or standby was fucking it up, and this was working perfectly until this morning when it doesn't start up. It started up just now hours later, though I didn't really do anything special to get it working, I just kept trying and got lucky.
So what could this possibly be? All signs point to a PSU issue, but I've been told these boxes use OEM power supplies and I would have to order through a manufacturer. I'd prefer to just buy one from a computer supply store and swap it out myself, as I can at least handle that much.
Note - I do have a surge protector, and I'm also pretty certain it's not a heating or fan issue, as both of my fans are working pretty well and this machine doesn't run too hot at all from what I can tell.
A friend recommended a power conditioner unit that has battery backup, saying I could also use something of this extent to figure out if maybe something with my power is what's fucking it up.
Thanks for any and all advice!
UnknownSaint on
0
Posts
But really an intermittent power issue really sounds like power supply to me.
1 thing to check (free) is the connection between the PSU and the mother board; make sure it's firmly 'clipped' in.
Is it a new home/apartment? Are you already drawing a lot of power in that room? Do other electronic devices behave oddly in that room?
Checked the 1st a while ago, everything is firmly in place.
Yes it's a new apartment (since late August). Yes I'm drawing in quite a bit of power in that room. No, no other electronic devices behave oddly in this room.