i have the following computer:
abit kt7a
amd thunderbird 900mhz
256mb sdram

the problem that i have is that sometimes when i press the power button the computer doesnt boot up. i never move it or anything. i checked the cables and outlets. everything works fine until recently. the problem that puzzles me is that sometimes it does boot up and sometimes it doesn't. is there something wrong with the power supply or motherboard. i was thinking it could be a problem with the button itself. help!!!
i built the computer myself. it's only 4 months old.
thank you for any help.

Poke around in your motherboard manual, looking for a section called Power Management Setup/Settings.
Then look for an item containing the words 'Power Button'. If your case doesn't have separate reset
and on/off switches, you can usually set the one switch to do one job or the other, but not both at
the same time. Yours may be set to 'Soft Off', which makes it work like a reset button. If you go into
the BIOS setup program when your PC starts up, you can change it to 'Power Off' instead,
and that might do it for you.

------------------
"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)

[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 05-10-2001).]

Also check to be sure you have an AMD approved power supply, and with most modern systems usually 300 Watts is minimum. If yours is less than 300W it might not be supplying enough wattage.

Check the inside, make sure the fans all start up each time you power up and clean out any dust that may be there.

Just some things to check, I think Tj might be a lot closer than I am on this one.

------------------
So many idiots, and only six bullets...
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

I agree with Pete. That really sounds like power supply problems. You should check the wattage. Sounds like you need at least 350w but, you have to look at the number of drives (esp hdd) and the age of the psu.

A two year old 300 watt psu will not necessarily put out 300 watts.

You need at least 350w with that t-bird IMO.