ChatterBank1 min ago
Computer turns on automatically when plugged in?
7 Answers
Today the power in my house turned off and I had to flip the fuse switch, this turned off my computer.
Now the power light on the tower is lit green and the monitor light is amber as if the compuer was turned off.
There is nothing on the screen, it won't turn off and if I unplug it it goes back this way without even touching anything.
Can anyone help because my mum need the computer for work?
Now the power light on the tower is lit green and the monitor light is amber as if the compuer was turned off.
There is nothing on the screen, it won't turn off and if I unplug it it goes back this way without even touching anything.
Can anyone help because my mum need the computer for work?
Answers
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First try holding the on/off switch on the computer in for five seconds to see if the green light on the tower goes off.
If that doesn't work, you may have had a surge through the power supply in the computer and blown the internal fuse. You would have to take out the power supply (four screws) and undo the power supply box (usually another four screws) and replace the fuse. If it isn't the fuse, you may have damaged components on the power supply circuit board and would have to replace the power supply (up to �20, depending on where you buy it from).
It is always best to plug the computer into an anti-surge extension to avoid this happening. You can get them for as little as five pounds.
If that doesn't work, you may have had a surge through the power supply in the computer and blown the internal fuse. You would have to take out the power supply (four screws) and undo the power supply box (usually another four screws) and replace the fuse. If it isn't the fuse, you may have damaged components on the power supply circuit board and would have to replace the power supply (up to �20, depending on where you buy it from).
It is always best to plug the computer into an anti-surge extension to avoid this happening. You can get them for as little as five pounds.
whatever you do DON'T OPEN THE POWER SUPPLY
there won't be a fuse in there - the fuses are in the plugs .... same for the monitor (but I doubt it's that)
only an idiot would even think about suggesting opening one
see
http://www.sbprojects.com/projects/pcpsu/pcpsu .htm ....
what there will be is some huge capacitors that could just end all your problems
If the PSU is blown ... get a new on (they are cheaper than a coffin)
the other option is that it's your motherboard that's blown
the on off button is software driven .... if it's not working it could be.
power spikes can be very destructive
but I repeat ... if you do take it out (4 screws) -
DON'T OPEN THE POWER UNIT - there is nothing in there that won't kill you (unless you know exactly what you are doing)
if it's the power unit .... spend 30-40 on a new one ... the cheaper ones can't cope with mains spikes
(sound familiar?)
there won't be a fuse in there - the fuses are in the plugs .... same for the monitor (but I doubt it's that)
only an idiot would even think about suggesting opening one
see
http://www.sbprojects.com/projects/pcpsu/pcpsu .htm ....
what there will be is some huge capacitors that could just end all your problems
If the PSU is blown ... get a new on (they are cheaper than a coffin)
the other option is that it's your motherboard that's blown
the on off button is software driven .... if it's not working it could be.
power spikes can be very destructive
but I repeat ... if you do take it out (4 screws) -
DON'T OPEN THE POWER UNIT - there is nothing in there that won't kill you (unless you know exactly what you are doing)
if it's the power unit .... spend 30-40 on a new one ... the cheaper ones can't cope with mains spikes
(sound familiar?)
ACthe TROLL
First of all, I am not an idiot and if you don't agree with my suggestion you only have to say that you think it would be unwise to follow it, rather than hurl abuse.
If the poster does not feel confident to open the power supply - fine, it is his choice. I have in the past replaced a fuse in the power supply, so your comment 'there won't be a fuse in there' is not valid.
Replacing the power supply with a �20 power supply is quite adequate if you have an anti-surge extension, especially since you than then protect other devices from surges at the same time and is cheaper!
First of all, I am not an idiot and if you don't agree with my suggestion you only have to say that you think it would be unwise to follow it, rather than hurl abuse.
If the poster does not feel confident to open the power supply - fine, it is his choice. I have in the past replaced a fuse in the power supply, so your comment 'there won't be a fuse in there' is not valid.
Replacing the power supply with a �20 power supply is quite adequate if you have an anti-surge extension, especially since you than then protect other devices from surges at the same time and is cheaper!
Sorry HWKE
I agree ... having seen some of your other answers you aren't
however in this case .... I dont agree ....
First
the only fuse that is user<b/> changeable would be external ... not inside the box.
Second
The capacitors inside a switched PSU store a lot of power they can deliver all at once! they require specialist equipment to safely discharge them before starting work.
The fact that these capacitors can arc up to .5" even in low humidity and depending on environment can (and have) easily deliver a lethal current.
... lead me to believe that you were perhaps more than unwise to advocate this course of action.
To simply disagree may have appeared to james as if it was just an opinion .... so sorry mate ... but you might have well advised him to lick his finger to test the mains.
To give someone of undetermined skill and knowledge and who probably isn't aware of the dangers (he wouldn't have needed to ask if he was) this was stupid advice to give without warning why.
only working on the Ht side of CRTs is more dangerous.
as well as working in the industry I teach A+ & MCSE etc
and the advice there on PSU repair is DON'T.
I agree ... having seen some of your other answers you aren't
however in this case .... I dont agree ....
First
the only fuse that is user<b/> changeable would be external ... not inside the box.
Second
The capacitors inside a switched PSU store a lot of power they can deliver all at once! they require specialist equipment to safely discharge them before starting work.
The fact that these capacitors can arc up to .5" even in low humidity and depending on environment can (and have) easily deliver a lethal current.
... lead me to believe that you were perhaps more than unwise to advocate this course of action.
To simply disagree may have appeared to james as if it was just an opinion .... so sorry mate ... but you might have well advised him to lick his finger to test the mains.
To give someone of undetermined skill and knowledge and who probably isn't aware of the dangers (he wouldn't have needed to ask if he was) this was stupid advice to give without warning why.
only working on the Ht side of CRTs is more dangerous.
as well as working in the industry I teach A+ & MCSE etc
and the advice there on PSU repair is DON'T.
As for the psu price ... I do disagree ...
(that's only my opinion - but so is yours ....
you should really be saying quite adequate .... "in your opinion" - or "by your standards") ...
It's not just about the "in" voltage and surge protection ...
in cheap PSUs
On load output voltages can be out by surprisingly large amounts (far more than 10% stick a meter in and see) - leading to crashes and component damage.
Cheap components aren't cheap because the mfrs aren't as greedy - it's because the components used are less accurately made and the device is less reliable.
(this isn't just opinion - which one - that's opinion)
If the PSU is out - none of the components will work optimally and duty life is reduced.
I work in the industry ... and see 100s in a year.so I have reasonable experience.
Some hobbyists think HDDs don't go wrong either ;-(
(I'm not claiming to be an oracle or infallible).
but I do keep most of my customers
(that's only my opinion - but so is yours ....
you should really be saying quite adequate .... "in your opinion" - or "by your standards") ...
It's not just about the "in" voltage and surge protection ...
in cheap PSUs
On load output voltages can be out by surprisingly large amounts (far more than 10% stick a meter in and see) - leading to crashes and component damage.
Cheap components aren't cheap because the mfrs aren't as greedy - it's because the components used are less accurately made and the device is less reliable.
(this isn't just opinion - which one - that's opinion)
If the PSU is out - none of the components will work optimally and duty life is reduced.
I work in the industry ... and see 100s in a year.so I have reasonable experience.
Some hobbyists think HDDs don't go wrong either ;-(
(I'm not claiming to be an oracle or infallible).
but I do keep most of my customers
ACthe TROLL
I agree that I may well have been fortunate with my power supplies and will give due regard to what you have said, particularly with regard to my own safety (well we're all a bit selfish). I will not advise anyone to open their power supply since, as you considered and I did not, some people will take advice as gospel and not something to consider having due regard to their capabilities etc. (I'm not just speaking about power supplies).
I also agree that if a computer is to be subjected to 'stress', it should have a power supply which can cope with it.
I buy my components from computer fairs, so perhaps there is a price range discrepancy as well. Even the most expensive one which I saw a couple of weeks ago was only �35. I suppose high street prices would make a �35 power supply mid range.
I agree that I may well have been fortunate with my power supplies and will give due regard to what you have said, particularly with regard to my own safety (well we're all a bit selfish). I will not advise anyone to open their power supply since, as you considered and I did not, some people will take advice as gospel and not something to consider having due regard to their capabilities etc. (I'm not just speaking about power supplies).
I also agree that if a computer is to be subjected to 'stress', it should have a power supply which can cope with it.
I buy my components from computer fairs, so perhaps there is a price range discrepancy as well. Even the most expensive one which I saw a couple of weeks ago was only �35. I suppose high street prices would make a �35 power supply mid range.
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