Dell PC WIth New Trouble Powering On?

[Guest]

I have a Dell 2300 PC, about 4 years old now. As of the last several weeks,
I have had to hold the power button in for a period of time, before the unit
starts to power up. Sometimes, holding it for a while doesn't even work at
all. I can come back in a half hour, hold the button for a period of time
again, and then it powers on. Once the machine is powered on, no problems
what so ever. If I power down after it has been on for a while, then hit the
button, it fires right back up with just a touch (like it used to). First
thing in the morning (after it has been shut off all night) when I try to
fire it up again, the problem arises again. Any thoughts as to what might be
happening? I have removed the power chord from my electrical protection
device directly into the wall to see if it makes a difference. It does not.
Any help would be appreciated. As a side note, I put in a new Antec power
supply a couple years ago. Could it be PS? I also did a cleanup inside the
machine on Sat. Didn't seem to help!

 

[Dave B.]

Could be the PSU or motherboard... or something else.

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Could simply be the power switch. If you were pushed several times a day
for four years you might get balky as well.

 

[Robert Moir]

Could simply be the power switch. If you were pushed several times a
day for four years you might get balky as well.

That would be my first bet actually. What looks like a substantial button on
the fascia is often just a "cap" over a very cheap and simple switch
arrangement internally.

 

[Ted Zieglar]

It took me five years, but I eventually succeeded in pushing the cap of
the power button right into the case of my very first Dell. And you're
quite right...behind the cap was a simple switch. I guess they've got to
save money somewhere.