Computer tower question

[malibu4u]

My better half has a tower that has 2 buttons down near the botton(clear color and on the left and right side))of it to power it up(or down in emergiencies). In the morning, she pushes the right button and 99 times out of a 100 it will go on but lately we have to once in a while press the left button to turn it on. It almost seems to be a power surge button or a circuit breaker button to get the machine going. Does this mean we are going to have problems with it? It's about 1 1/2 years old and should we be taking it in to get it checked out? Other than that, it works just great. Tks for any advice.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Computer tower question

Most computers that have 2 buttons, some only one. Usually , the larger one is the On/Off button. The smaller, is a restart button. Depending on the setting in the Bios setup, the power button can be configured to do an Instant startup/shutdown OR will do a shutdown after holding the button 'in' for 4 seconds. Hitting the restart button should cause an immediate reboot of the computer (not a good idea) if you have programs/files open as they don't get closed before the reboot, and data can be lost.<br />Each of the 2 buttons are Normally Open, the contacts close when you push them. Each button is connected to the motherbaord by a 2 wire cable that plugs into a 2 pin dip header. It is remotely possible that the button is going South on ya, but not too likely. Checking the switch action using a n Ohm meter is the most reliable way to check it. Usually the wires are marked as Reset and Power. <br />Perhaps it's a hibernate/standby 'settings' issue . <br /> Link

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Computer tower question

Usually the button on the front is simply a spring loaded plastic button that pushes a smaller micro-switch mounted behind it. Check to make sure it is fully depressing the micro-switch before it(the plastic button) bottoms out.

 

[malibu4u]

Re: Computer tower question

Tks for your reply on this question Xcusme and my other one about moving a picture to a different place(MSN). The MSN one is not too important right now as I am confused with the whole digital camera thing right now but you can use your own picture for a display picture when you use MSN and talk or send to other people. I will recheck the buttons on her tower and see if they are bigger. I believe you that they are I have just never noticed. Will get back to you tomorrow as I have to go out now. Another Xmas party. Tks for your replies.

 

[malibu4u]

Re: Computer tower question

Never doughted you for a minute Xcusme! Checked the buttons and one is a bit bigger(the right one). I did press both buttons just a bit for a test and sure enough, like u said, the one on the left is for restart. Hardly touched it at all and the computer rebooted. The one on the right I have to push in pretty hard to start it up in the morning. My tower has only one button in the middle so I paid no attention to 2 buttons till this happened. Tku for the help.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Computer tower question

Can't you awaken your computer by simply tapping the keyboard or clicking the mouse?<br /><br />I would recheck my settings to allow this. Makes things real simple.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Computer tower question

roscoe, is right....but only on some motherboards.<br /><br />It's pretty easy to find out...reboot the computer, hit the F1,F2 or ESC key (or whatever key your MB uses) to get to the Bios setup screens.<br /><br />Look around the menus (usually the Power Options menu) and look for an option to turn on the computer with either a 'mouse click' or by keyboard. Enable your selection. Hit ESC key to get back to the menus.<br /><br />Navigate to the Exit menu and be sure to hi-lite the Save and Exit selection.<br /><br />Reboot the computer, get into Windows desktop, Exit windows (shutdown)<br />Now try clicking the mouse or tapping the space bar on your keyboard....she should fire right up.<br /><br />Nice feature, but as I said, not all motherboards have this feature. One drawback to all of this is when the cat goes for a stroll across your desktop. Unless the cat knows your windows password and/or has access to your Visa card , you're pretty much safe

 

[coleman kayak1]

Re: Computer tower question

Mine will not work that way because I have a wireless keyboard and mouse that connects to USB

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Computer tower question

Reminds me of that old MS DOS error message:<br /><br />Error: keyboard disconnected – press F7 to continue.