Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

What actually powers a PC down?

Jan 19, 2005 5:42PM PST

OK, first let me state the problem I'm having. Around the time Doom 3 hit the streets I wanted to do some upgrading, stick of mem, vcard. Everything went extremely well until I decided I wanted a new power supply. I bought a bad one from some local dealer, not a big chain like BBUy, CUSA. It didn't do much damage except from then on I have to resort to shutting my PC down by the current Power Supply button on the back. It really hasn't bothered me, but the last few days my father and have been pondering over what turns the ************** off in the first place.

When I installed it all it did was (tickle) a bit then shut down. Man, let me tell you, I have tried everything (I) know. My father hasn't really dug deep into it, of course if he did he could probably fix it but it's not that big of deal. What do some of you guys think it could be? Which is where my question is, what actually powers the PSupply down?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Try this...
Jan 19, 2005 10:34PM PST

Effectively, there is a "logic sequence" that takes place. When you swapped out p/s units, you should have noticed a small wire harness that connects to the frt. power-ON/OFF sw.. That isn't a true electrical sw. as most people understand though still a switch. Upon hitting that sw., since connected the "mtrbd." drives a logical request that in turn uses a signal that trips the demand for power-ON/OFF to the ATX power supply. Also, on newer mtrbds. a small LED(lit LED) is present to show some voltage present in order to accept such requests is active. For whatever reason the logic behind the new power supply isn't working or the bios setting was changed or some OS power mgnmt. is ashew.
I suggest you locate that frt. panel ON/OFF harness connection and reseat it several times. I'm looking at possible h/w causes. but since you've installed new h/w plus related s/w and drivers, these too should be looked at. Further, do a shutrdown and just wait longer and see if it does power down. The latest drivers is a must for any new h/w to eliminate that.

- Collapse -
LED's...hmmm
Jan 20, 2005 6:43PM PST

you raise an interesting theory. Thanks for the extremely helpful problem solving by the way. The theory being, something I just noticed a few days ago, is that my HD led is kind of bright all the time, but not fully illuminated either. I can tell when it hits. Actually, I do try to read the LED's, morse code action if you will, from time to time. Of course, it looks fullstop from the side, and thats where I'm at usually.

BTW, I'm not using the new PS, I immediately put the original back. As far as new h/w, only vcard, and it has been doing well. Considering it's been a while since I've tried to do anything about the shutdown problem I'm having I have to quess as to what I've tried before but I will certainly give the reseat a try. Whats your take on the LED dillema I'm having?