OT: Kludging a PC's power-supply control

[Alan Dayley]

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Vaughn Treude wrote:
> Hello,
> Here's one for you hardware gurus.
> 
> I've got a PC that has behaved badly on and off; shuts off sporadically.
> It's a problem that was occasional at first and has gotten worse as
> time's gone by. After a lot of messing around I've convince myself that
- --[clip]--
> can mean anything from "your gas cap's loose" to "your engine's about to
> explode.")
> 
> Oh well.  I think this board's ready for the garbage, but if anyone has
> any other suggestions, it would make for an interesting experiment.

Does the BIOS have a configuration setting for the on/off switch?  Some
have a setting that allows the switch to have an "instant off" or a 4
second delay.  I have seen these types of problems when it is set to
instant off.

Theory: A random voltage level or bump in the case or whatever triggers
the "instant off" and BANG!

The problem is solved by setting to the 4 second delay.  This requires
that you hold the power button in for 4 seconds before the computer will
turn off.  Therefore, small glitches on the signal will not kill the power.

I experienced one computer with this problem that was solved in this
way.  A co-worker had the same issue with his home computer.  This
solution kept him from returning the computer for warranty for the
second time.

Then again, it could be the PS or the motherboard.

Alan
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