on/off switch
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10
Likes: 15
From: England
on/off switch
Whilst defragmenting [ not that I can see that that is to blame] my desktop PC froze.Couldn't get into task manager or anything else. I tried to turn it off with the off switch - that was immoveable. Had to disconnect the power supply to turn off the PC.
The on/off switch remains immoveable - it's as though it's jammed solid.My initial thought was that it's a simple mechanical failure of the switch but why did the PC freeze beforehand? Presumably there's some connection between that and the non working switch.
Anyone any thoughts?
The on/off switch remains immoveable - it's as though it's jammed solid.My initial thought was that it's a simple mechanical failure of the switch but why did the PC freeze beforehand? Presumably there's some connection between that and the non working switch.
Anyone any thoughts?
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,663
Likes: 0
From: Earth
Anyone any thoughts?
On computers any "switch", be it your keyboard or the power switch, is generally a plastic fascia to an actual micro switch beyond with an air-gap in the middle.
Thus you have two things that can go wrong... the plastic user-facing bit and the micro switch behind it.
On a typical desktop PC, you can take the front plastic panel off so you can get a proper look at both sides of the fascia switch.
Guest
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere between E17487 and F75775
Presumably there's some connection between that and the non working switch.
No. I think you are being lured (as one is so often) by two completely unrelated faults, which happened at roughly the same time "so they must be connected" one assumes.
One was a hang-up in the PC itself, the other is a cheap and nasty construction between the plastic button and the microswitch.
Suggest you tackle the second one first ! as it's easier.
No. I think you are being lured (as one is so often) by two completely unrelated faults, which happened at roughly the same time "so they must be connected" one assumes.
One was a hang-up in the PC itself, the other is a cheap and nasty construction between the plastic button and the microswitch.
Suggest you tackle the second one first ! as it's easier.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 8,121
Likes: 686
From: Twickenham, home of rugby
Is there a "proper" on-off switch on the PSU at the back of the PC? That's always easier than yanking the power out.
Opening up the PC case should tell you if it's the plastic push-button and / or spring / pushrod that's failed. Given that you say it feels locked solid & immovable, that's very likely. You may be able to unstick it and repair it.
SD
Opening up the PC case should tell you if it's the plastic push-button and / or spring / pushrod that's failed. Given that you say it feels locked solid & immovable, that's very likely. You may be able to unstick it and repair it.
SD
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,663
Likes: 0
From: Earth
BOAC,
For the avoidance of doubt, I'm talking about this sort of switch on a PSU ?
These are very rare sights indeed these days on anything other than home-builds.
For the avoidance of doubt, I'm talking about this sort of switch on a PSU ?
These are very rare sights indeed these days on anything other than home-builds.
Last edited by mixture; 4th August 2014 at 16:51.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 8,121
Likes: 686
From: Twickenham, home of rugby
I haven't seen one of those on a PC since early last century
SD
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,663
Likes: 0
From: Earth
We must be looking at different PSUs, then - all 4 of the PSUs I've bought between 2006 and 2012 have had on-off rocker switches. Maybe you just don't go for the top quality brands?
I've not seen them on Apple, HP, Lenovo,Supermicro or FujitsuSiemens kit amongst others (either desktops or servers).
So there, looks like you're the one with the cheap crud....
