Hello everyone,

I would appreciate help from anyone who is able to assist me.

The problem is that my PC starts, stops again after only 4 or so seconds (I think this restart happens even before POST) and then starts normally. It does not always do this, and for a while I suspected that it was doing this every second time I attempted to start it. There do not seem to be any other issues. I have scanned with up-to-date AVG antivirus software, and also for malware with Prevx and nothing has been detected. I have also updated the BIOS to the latest version from the motherboard manufacturer but this has made no difference to the problem.

OS is Win XP Pro (SP2, and it's up-to-date with Windows updates)
Board is a DFI Inf. 965-S, chip is Intel Core2 Quad/Extreme/Duo Socket 775.

Any ideas on the next steps in diagnosing would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Nicholas.

New computer? New problem?

Sounds like a faulty switch to me. Or a "sticking" switch. By default a power switch will turn off the computer if held "in" for 3 seconds.

If the contact is not releasing then this could be the problem.

The every now and then aspect could just be some "quirkiness" in the switch.

You might try looking inside the case and perhaps blow some canned air on the switch inside.