[RESOLVED] Power up Problem

[dknk]

I have a Tekram P6-Pro A+ Mainboard/w VIA Apollo Pro 133 Chipset.
The problem is when the computer starts up it shuts down after about 3 seconds. You can hear the HD's start up then everything powers down. Also when I push the On button on the front of the box it sometimes does not start up. I have to push the on/off switch on the power supply itself a couple of times to get it to start up. I have tried a new power supply (exact same problem continues), re-seated the CPU, unplugged all devices except one HD. It does not get to the point of letting me into the BIOS settings.

[lysergic]

Remove everything including the last hard drive to see if you get a post (At the point where the cable goes into the motherboard, not into the harddrive). Reseat/move the ram to another slot see if you get anything. Try another stick of ram.

Also it could be that you are getting a short somewhere in the case. Try a different CPU fan. If all else fails remove the mobo from the case, place it on an antistat surface, hook up a power supply and video card and see if it will post. If not, then I would think it is pointing towards the motherboard as the problem.

[DeaJae]

im thinkin the switch might be the problem. i suspect you are running a ATX power supply and case? i think the ATX switch on the motherboard may need to be re attached to the motherboard. ie: wrong way round. refer to your motherboard manaul or manufacturers schematics. if the switch is ok on the board the switch itself might be faulty.

[tiffin_tom]

I agree with DeaJae.

Sounds like the switch is stuck. One way to check is to pull the cover off, unplug the switch from the mainboard and use a flat-head screwdriver to tap on the power-on connector briefly and see if it boots up ok.

[dknk]

It is an ATX Power supply and case, and the system is 1.5 yrs old. It was powered down at night and the next day it developed this problem. I am thinking the switch may be causing the problem. I have not been able to work on it today but will tonight. Can you buy just a switch or do you need to buy the case? Thanks for all your help...

[Monkey_Boy]

I've seen this very recently on a system. Now the fix is so simple that I doubt it'll be the same for you but you may as well give it a check.
Is you CPU fan pluged into the right conector on the M/B? As when I last saw this the M/B had two CPU fan connectors and if you didn't have one in Fan1 plugh the system did exactly what yours is doing!

[lysergic]

Hate when I forget Occam's razor (the simplest answer is probably correct). Yes it does sound like the switch.

[dknk]

Thanks for all your help.
I replaced the switch on the case and all is well.