Computer power flickers on and off rapidly.

Palio · 05-15-2008, 10:24 AM

I put my comuter together about a year and a half ago and since then haven't replaced/updated any parts. That being said, here's my problem:

We had a thunderstorm in our area last night and it quickly caused the power to go out and come back on. I was going to let my computer reboot so that I could shut it down properly, but before it could reboot, the power to the house went out again and quickly came back on. I decided to just turn off the power switch on the back of the computer and unplug the power cable from the back as well.

After the storm was over, I went back to my computer to attempt to boot it up. I plugged in the power cable and flipped the power switch to on. I then pressed the power button on the front panel and the computer did not turn on. I thought about it for a minute and went downstairs to get a drink. When I came back up, the lights and fans were going on and off rapidly as if it were trying to start up, but can't.

Aside from knowing what parts go where, I'm not very good when it comes to troubleshooting, but I figure this problem has something to do with the front panel power button and/or its connecters.

If you can suggest anything, I'd be very happy to take the advice and try it out. Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

**manic** · 05-15-2008, 12:30 PM

My first thought would be the power supply. I wouldnt keep trying
to boot the machine until I replaced the psu. But then the board
could have got fried as well. Process of elimination.

cp_ent · 05-15-2008, 01:45 PM

Your power supply may have been damaged. A switch is the least likely cause. I don't know what your requirements are but you could get a new / used one and replace it on a work bench with out installing it, just change a few main plugs over and see if things power up the way you are used to.

Basically the power supply is a voltage regulator of sorts and if damaged by surges can't do the job it's supposed to.

Tumbleweed36 · 05-15-2008, 05:32 PM

It is quite likely that something was fried. Therefore, you may have a big problem in that area.

However, it might be wise to clear the CMOS and see if maybe the improper shutdown may have caused some bios corruption that needs to be put back to factory defaults.

What the heck can you lose?

05-15-2008, 10:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Palio Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP	Computer power flickers on and off rapidly. I put my comuter together about a year and a half ago and since then haven't replaced/updated any parts. That being said, here's my problem: We had a thunderstorm in our area last night and it quickly caused the power to go out and come back on. I was going to let my computer reboot so that I could shut it down properly, but before it could reboot, the power to the house went out again and quickly came back on. I decided to just turn off the power switch on the back of the computer and unplug the power cable from the back as well. After the storm was over, I went back to my computer to attempt to boot it up. I plugged in the power cable and flipped the power switch to on. I then pressed the power button on the front panel and the computer did not turn on. I thought about it for a minute and went downstairs to get a drink. When I came back up, the lights and fans were going on and off rapidly as if it were trying to start up, but can't. Aside from knowing what parts go where, I'm not very good when it comes to troubleshooting, but I figure this problem has something to do with the front panel power button and/or its connecters. If you can suggest anything, I'd be very happy to take the advice and try it out. Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

05-15-2008, 12:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
manic Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 2,751 OS: xp	Re: Computer power flickers on and off rapidly. My first thought would be the power supply. I wouldnt keep trying to boot the machine until I replaced the psu. But then the board could have got fried as well. Process of elimination. __________________

05-15-2008, 01:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
cp_ent Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Calif. Posts: 14 OS: xp/sp2	Re: Computer power flickers on and off rapidly. Your power supply may have been damaged. A switch is the least likely cause. I don't know what your requirements are but you could get a new / used one and replace it on a work bench with out installing it, just change a few main plugs over and see if things power up the way you are used to. Basically the power supply is a voltage regulator of sorts and if damaged by surges can't do the job it's supposed to.

05-15-2008, 05:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 12,820 OS: XP Professional	Re: Computer power flickers on and off rapidly. It is quite likely that something was fried. Therefore, you may have a big problem in that area. However, it might be wise to clear the CMOS and see if maybe the improper shutdown may have caused some bios corruption that needs to be put back to factory defaults. What the heck can you lose? __________________ ----------