Powering issues...

[gravediggah]

Ok here goes...I have a computer that i am trying to fix that is having "powering issues"...i can turn it on and it powers right back off constantly...sometimes it powers up, runs for a few minutes then powers off...I have tried another power supply but same thing...is there anything else that could be causing this issue...Any help would be appreciated...

TIA

[attgig]

does it post? can you get into the bios? are there any error codes that the motherboard gives you when this is happening?

if it's not the power supply (and you know it's a good power cord/outlet/powerstrip, etc....) there's probabyl something in the motherboard that's powering itself down. perhaps a bad capacitor or something of that nature..

[gravediggah]

When I get home I will check the POST...havent messed with the computer in about 2 months...maybe it miraculously fixed itself...that would be awesome...

[DarkFury]

I would check the seating of the CPU and make sure that the heatsink/fan are still working properly. Something is telling the mobo that something isn't right.

BTW, do you have a speaker in place to hear the mobo warning beeps? If not, that may provide a clue as to the problem/solution.

[gravediggah]

OK its an HP a503n....got it to stay on...but when trying to reinstall windows...i cant get pass the "Enter to Install" D to delete the partition" or "F3 to quit"...it just sits there staring at me like I didnt press sh!t...no matter what buttons I press...

somebody tell me to breathe...pls

[Jeffbx]

OK its an HP

There's your problem right there! :)

Bad RAM maybe, or it's not seated properly? Try removing everything & then re-install only what's necessary to boot it. If there are 4 sticks of RAM only put 2 back in. Unplug & replug all of the wires going to the MB. Blow all of the dust out of the fans. Don't plug any USB in except mouse & KB. Also like att said check that you don't have any bulging or leaking capacitors.

[cruelpupet]

also came here to say look for bulging capacitors and Id also suggest using a PS2 keyboard if you can.

[gravediggah]

will try those options out when i get home...will post results later

[attgig]

yeah. when you boot up, can you hit the '...' key to get into the bios settings? ('...' key being a key your motherboard manufacturer designates, i.e. the F2 key, delete key, f11 key. it depends, on the manufacturer, but as soon as you power on, it'll say, hit '...' key to configure bios, or something like that. if you try that, and you can't get into the bios, it's because the usb settings isn't setup for the bios to control the usb, but rather the OS)

if usb isn't enabled the correct way in the bios, the keyboard won't work until after the os loads up....

[gravediggah]

Finally at home...tried a ps2 keyboard...but same thing...cant get pass install screen...

:(

[DarkFury]

You may want to call HP tech support at this point...

Maybe your PC is in the verge of death or something.