No Power UP

[ozeepat]

Power up problem

I have two HP computers that are exactly the same. The one suddenly would not power up until several tries. Now it won't power up at all. If I pull the power cord and re-insert it, the fan starts and it looks like it is going to start, but after five or ten seconds it shuts down. The other computer started to do the same thing but I finally got it booted. Now I never shut it down. I let it go into hibernation and have not had a problem since. The first one still has the problem.I tried a new power supply but it did not solve the problem.Some solutions I have read talk about doing things in the CMOS but I can't get that far. Also been on live chat with HP. Sorry to say,no help. I knew more than the Tec.Thanking anyone in advance for any help I get, I am,
Pat

[Fruss Tray Ted]

I buy things in pairs too. You have the perfect opportunity to solve this but refuse to power down one of them. Hmmm. :rolleyes:

Interchangeability is voided, so we are left with dealing with a single system. The one booted, or the one that won't?

I knew more than the Tec.T

We'll see... ;)

Need specs. One is fine, we'll assume the other... :)

You can have software (including malware) or hardware problems. With duplicate systems, this is usually a piece of cake :p

[mjc]

One of the first things to do is to replace the CMOS battery...that keeps the BIOS settings and clock going when you power down. Incorrect or corrupted BIOS settings (which are stored in CMOS) can cause the computer to not boot or even start. They batteries are cheap (a couple of $$ at WalMart) so you aren't out a whole lot of money should it turn out to be something else.

Also, please provide the model and any system specs for these HPs.

[ozeepat]

Thanks for your quick reply and concern.First let me say that the two computers are separate. The reason I am not too quick to shut down the one that is working is that I started to get the same symptoms that the first one started with, (startup was intermittent and suddenly did not fire up at all)and is where it is at now.
The second computer started doing the same thing so once I got it started, I didn't shut it down anymore. I let it hibernate and it starts up all the time now. I thought that knowing this, the HP tech with this info could trouble shoot the problem.Also,I did put in a new CMOS battery.
Somehow I have a feeling that if this is a fixable problem, you are going to be the one to fix it.
Thanks again,
Pat

[mjc]

Wel...what about the model?

Any detailed specs?

I hate being the bearer of bad news, but there is a good chance, depending on the age of the machines, that you are looking at a capacitor problem, especially since a fresh battery was no help.

Take the side off the 'dead' one an look closely at the capacitors (small can shaped items all over the motherboard). If any of them are showing signs of discoloration or bulging...get a spade out, cause that board is dead.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

I have a feeling that if this is a fixable problem, you are going to be the one to fix it.
We can't help you until you are ready to help yourself.

We can swap experiences and listen to your reasons for using hibernation ad-nauseum but this is getting us, and especially you, nowhere.

Returning to this thread to find no answers to our questions has made any progress null and void. Not only that but it has wasted both of our time and that is collectively speaking for pcguide because many others have read your problem but are STILL waiting for some info that they/we can work with to offer assistance.

If you have trouble answering each question, here's how I do it: I right click on reply and choose 'Open in a New Window'. This way, each question can be reviewed and answered accordingly without needing to use the back button. Once you've replied and submitted, to see your reply you'd need to refresh the original page.

'Piece of cake'. :p

[ozeepat]

I hope I followed your instructions properly this time because it sounds like I am annoying some people. For that, I am truly sorry, but I have no idea of what questions you speak of. I would be glad to respond to any question, especially because I need and appreciate any help that anyone may give me to resolve my problem. If you rather I stop trying to find help here, I will the stop posting any more replies. If that is the case,then I still thank you for your patience,help and concern up to this point.
Sincerely,
Pat
The computer is an HP DM168A,2800 Athlon,448 Ram,Nvidia GeforceMX integrated GPU 64MB, Realtec AC97 Audio and XP home edition. If there is any more you need to know, let me know.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

I suspected the power supply and googling the model of your underpowered HP it appears that's the most commonly replaced part.

They mention a specific HP video connector associated with it and it has me curious. If they are correct, you will need to either get a PSU (power supply unit) with that connector, get an adapter to accommodate for it or get a PSU from HP.

It's time you either swap parts from one computer to the other or in the very least, look at the connectors from your PSU. Is there a lead going to your graphics card? Or is there an extra lead, other than the atx mobo lead going to your motherboard?

These HP's are severely cramped cases quite often so your limited in choices as to just what power supply you can use. You'll need to decide whether you want to keep these pc's running for office apps and internet browsing but if you want to play games, you would be better advised making one out of the two and selling it or keeping it as a spare, and buying something entirely new for gaming .

I had an HP with an Athlon 1400 that I 'squeezed' a normal power supply in by using a shorter than normal cd-rom unit. But it did not need a special graphics connector. There's a couple direct replacements here (http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&q=HP+DM168A&btnG=Google+Search) though I have no guarranty of their reputations as sellers. You may want to try to find them at Ressellerratings.com for opinions.

Did both of your pc's stop working or acting up in a very short time span? It would seem odd if both power supplies were going bad almost simultaneously and this is why I suspected malware of some sort. But again, HP's supplies are not known for reliability so the likelihood is quite good that they are toast.

[ozeepat]

I tried a different power unit, still not powering up. What is “googling”?
Also there is no video connector. The only connector from the power unit is the one to the board. As far as swapping parts, I don’t know why I would do that when the other computer is still working fine.
The PC that will not power up went months before the second one started to act up. However, as I said, the second one is still working fine although I never shut it down. At the risk of repeating myself, I let it hibernate and so far have not had a problem since.

[mjc]

I suspect that if the power supply has been swapped, then the next thing I would check would be...the capacitors.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

If the capacitors are fine the next best thing to do is to begin swapping out parts but if you outright refuse to power the operating one down, you'll be stuck with a trial and error process of ordering parts and risking the inablility to return them.

For now, try to do a barebones boot with the one on the 'operating table'. Try to boot it with just RAM, PSU, CPU and keyboard and/or mouse with case speaker attached. Listen for a single beep even if there is no video. Possible reset the BIOS settings to default by either a jumper or taking the mobo battery out for 5-20 minutes and trying again to hear a beep.

Let us know how well you get on these ideas.

[ozeepat]

I have been trying all the fixes that came from this site and so far nothing has worked. Today,I noticed some corrosion around the on/off switch so I thought maybe the might be stuck. I removed the connector from the board, put it back in, inserted the power plug and it booted right to windows. Foolishly I turned the computer off to see if I could re-start it but could not duplicate it. Right now I am back to square one. Could this have something to do with the start button? If so,what is the resolution?