PC crashes when touched

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jack B
  • Start date Start date
J

Jack B

Any idea why my Old pc crashes (like it momentarily lost power and
immediately starts to reboot) when touched sometimes?

Jack
 
Sounds like an issue with static electricity 'causing a short somewhere..
I'm guessing by touch you mean touching metal, like the case is metal.
 
The case is plastic and metal.
It's weird -- sometimes when I put my hand on the top (pressing a bit) as I
look to the back of the pc, for instance, that's one example of when it can
happen.

Jack

=======================
 
Power cord securely inserted?

Jack said:
The case is plastic and metal.
It's weird -- sometimes when I put my hand on the top (pressing a bit) as I
look to the back of the pc, for instance, that's one example of when it can
happen.

Jack

=======================
Click to expand...
 
If you have one available, try a different power cord. The one you're
using may have a bad connection where the cord joins the metallic
socket connector, and when you move the case this causes the cord to
flex, breaking this contact sporadically, but long enough to cause a
shut-down.
 
Jack B said:
Any idea why my Old pc crashes (like it momentarily lost power and
immediately starts to reboot) when touched sometimes?

Jack
Click to expand...

Here are a few things that will cause such behaviour:
- A dry joint on the motherboard
- A cracked track on the motherboard
- An intermittent cable connector
- A short-circuit from a circuit board to case, caused by a loose metal
object (e.g. a nut), by a bent motherboard or by a missing insulating
spacer.

Regardless of the actual cause, it is certainly not a Windows issue. A
hardware newsgroup would be a better place to post this question.
 
Old is relative. If it's really old you may have a mechanical lever going
from the front of the computer back to the actual power supply switch. The
switch may be just engaging and touching causes it to open. Adjustment or
possibly cleaning the switch might be needed. Opening the PS to clean the
switch can be dangerous.

Newer computers(~10 years) have a wire on the M/B that goes to power
signaling switch on the front of the computer. Not likely but a problem with
this might cause it too.

As others mentioned, the AC cord.

Motherboard or power supply problems. Especially if the PC isn't grounded.

Oh yea, don't do that! :ob
 
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