"Al" wrote in message
. ..
Thanks kindly for all of the replies to my previous question. I've read
twice through each reply - some will take another run-through tomorrow to
really absorb, since I do want to understand it all completely

But, I just did an experiment which tells me that the PS is probably not
the problem. I borrowed a Compaq and pulled its working ATX PS. The
resulting behavior was the same - power on for a moment only.

Does this pretty much say that the PS is not the problem here? What
should be my next step in diagnosis?

From the reply by w_tom1, it seems I must check all the pins. Tom says to
check for shorts - but I have only a 9v analog powered multimeter, so I'd
think I can't use the ohm meter, except on 12v circuits, yes? Or do I use
the voltmeter and look for what pins stay mostly flat on voltage and
which pins might spike? Or does the analog meter (an old Radio Shack one)
respond too slowly to tell me anything?

Thanks again for all replies.


The computer would start but then go only into standby mode (with the
power indicator being always yellow, never green). After a few days of
that behavior, it would then start only for a moment, and only with a few
spins of the ps fan (there is no CPU fan). Pushing the start button again
would have no effect - unless I removed the power cord and let it sit for
a minute or two. Then I'd replug and the pattern would repeat, with only
a momentary start for the first button press.


If the above is you problem it is similar to a Compaq I have and never could
fix. I have to power down the unit for at least 60 seconds, (with the AC
switch or unplugging it from the wall - NO AC at all!!!) then hold the start
button and restore AC.

It is something in the BIOS power saver firmware according to support
services. Changing it would have disabled the power down/sleep of the
computer so I put up with the button holding for years.

So - from cold (no AC) hold the start button on the computer then apply AC
power.

PP