Hi,


Every once and a while Im unable to turn on my computer, the way that I solve that problem is by turning on and off the switch on my surge protector.

This problem occured today and I had to turn my surge protector on and off about 10 times until my comp. finally started.

Can somebody explain to me why this happens

Some information about my comp:
-its a Hewlett Packard
-its about 5 or 6 yrs old
-I have Windows 98
-I havent recently downloaded any programs
-Has 64mb
-and when i go to start my comp. it basically acts like an old car that you have to turn the ignition over and over again until it starts.

thank you

Greetings shopgirl,

It's a Hewlett Packard what?
(vectra VLI8sf (for example))

What happens when it doesn't start? Any LED's on the case? Red light? No light?

Are you sure the surge protector & the power cords are ok?

It's a Hewlett Packard what?
(vectra VLI8sf (for example))

um, I really dont know what your asking.
Its a Hewlett Packard, Intel Celeron 433MHz Desk top.

What happens when it doesn't start? Any LED's on the case? Red light? No light?

what happens exactly is, I'll go to turn it on and usually I have to press the start button a few time before it will finally start. I can hear the computer trying to start, but sometimes after I have pressed the start button a few times I dont hear my comp attempting to start anymore and thats when I have to turn the on and off switch on my surge protector to get it to start. Thats the best way I can explain it.

I dont know what LED's are. And on my surge protector there is a green and red light on.

Are you sure the surge protector & the power cords are ok?

Im sure the cords are ok and hooked up properly.

There should be a label on the side of the case as to your model.

Presario; Pavilion; Vectra; etc. & then a # series.

You can use this tool also to id:

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

What does it say under System Model?

Are there little lights on the case? Green | Red | Yellow

Maybe it's as simple as a bad switch unless you push the button & a red light comes on? Maybe just needs a new battery. You can also try to unplug & replug the power connection on the back of the case. & also try to plug straight into an outlet just to test.

Does your keyboard have an on/ off capability? i.e. Is there a monitor icon on the space bar?

There should be a label on the side of the case as to your model.

Presario; Pavilion; Vectra; etc. & then a # series.

Its a Pavillion. do you need the serious #?

Are there little lights on the case? Green | Red | Yellow

a green light comes on when i turn my comp. on

Maybe it's as simple as a bad switch unless you push the button & a red light comes on? Maybe just needs a new battery. You can also try to unplug & replug the power connection on the back of the case. & also try to plug straight into an outlet just to test

when i push the button a red light doesn't come on. is the battery the same as the power supply box? i was wondering if maybe it was that.

I will unplug and replug the cords and see how that works out.

Does your keyboard have an on/ off capability? i.e. Is there a monitor icon on the space bar?

these is no monitor icon on my space bar.

do you have any idea why turning the on and off switch on my surge protector lets me turn on my comp. when just pressing the power button wont?

Your motherboard has a battery (similar to a "disc"/ watch/ camera battery) that just maintains a low current to keep time & settings. To change this is why I was so curious about the model as you will have to know how to open the case & replace the battery.

Most BIOS (motherboards) are set to start up from a power failure. When you turn off the power surge you are telling the computer that the power has failed. On new power it will automatically boot. It sounds like a bad switch to me. If you can find the exact model # we could look up the manual & check further.

It sounds like a bad switch to me. If you can find the exact model # we could look up the manual & check further.

are you talking about the model # of my computer?

yes. a pavilion ????

they have numbered models:

HP Pavilion PCs

» a850n series

» a850y series

» a850e series

» a810e series

etc.


http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

What does it say under System Model?



_________________________________

It happened again today, my comp wouldn't turn on. I would just press the start button and got nothing so i turned the switch on my serge protector on and off a few times and then i was able to turn my comp on.

on the front of my comp it says HP Pavillion 4540, is that what your looking for?

I also have the series # and the system#

HP Pavillion 4540

That was what we were looking for; yes. The links at the end here are from the HP site. There is an instruction on changing the battery as far as opening the case is concerned although it does not locate the exact position on the motherboard nor does it ID the board. You can find this via Belarc if you wish (under: Main Circuit Board), or, you will probably see the Disk battery once you open the case.
This is just something you can try. It may or may not be the problem, but might be worth a try.
There is also instructions from HP on replacing the Power Supply Unit (PSU) although I don't see how that would be the problem as it runs ok once it starts.
My only other idea is the case switch itself. This is probably quite simple to replace although HP gives no instruction & you would probably have to take it to a shop to get this replaced.
If you decide to replace the battery please follow the precautions stated in the HP documentation as to proper grounding techniques.

Hope this helps.


HP Pavilion PC Series 4400 and 4500 - Removing and Replacing the Battery


Product information


HP Pavilion PC Model 4540 (Canada/US) - Product Specifications