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?

Yeah...

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.

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.

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

Thank you all - much appreciated.

Showing your age Saab... I haven't seen one of those on a PC since early last century ! :cool:

Methinks you must be looking in the wrong place - my new desktop (May2014) has the switch............of course, you could be living in a different century to us:)

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.

Yup - never seen one of them critters.:D

Glad to see you giving advice over here BOAC, you must have learned a lot from your garage door motor !

Shh! 6 hours now and still working. Now, if I could find the on/off switch..............:O

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? ;)

SD

Well, in the last 10 years, I've seen power switches only once.... on the back of a Sun Microsystems workstation.

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.... ;)

He's probably still got XP machines, Saab.

Oh God - don't start him off again!