Resolved Difficulty powering system on

My computer is about 4 and 1/2 years old. Of late, I have been having problems turning the computer on. When I press the I/O switch, there is no response (although there is a brief moment of a small yellow light flickering on and off right away). And after several tries, somehow the computer catches on and the power is on. The connections seem all right (I plugged the power cord in another outlet and wiggled the plug on the computer.)

I ran the Dell diagnostics which the computer passed. Except the diagnostics doesn't address power supply, battery etc. I am wondering what could have gone wrong.

Everything else about the computer seems all right.

 

Hi Moorty, If this is a Desktop comp, you could have a failing PSU. Neil.

 

Try holding the power button on for about 10 seconds and then try it normal.

 

Thank you Retiredlearner and Mr. Bill. Last night, after I turned off the computer, just as a test, I pressed the I/O switch on and the computer powered on without a problem. That gave me an idea that if I leave the computer plugged on (not turned on, I was turning off the switch on the power supply every night when I turned the computer off and turning it on the morning before the starting the computer), that might solve the problem. So, this morning, I turned the switch on the power strip on a couple of house before turning the computer on. And there was no problem. The power came on. So, that may be where the problem was: that it needed to keep getting the power into the computer for a while before the switch could work.

If the problem occurs anyway tomorrow, I will try your suggestion Mr. Bill. I think it's related to what I have found.

Thanks again to both of you. I will close the issue after I try it again for a couple of days.

 

After logging off of Windows and the computer powers off. Are you turning off the power supply, power strip and unplugging the computer when you're done using it for the day. If so why?

 

I always turn off ALL power at the wall AC switch when we go away for a few days or holidays. When we return, I just switch on at the wall and start my comp straight away without any delays.
The only delay is for the Modem/Router to get connected again-no more than 1½ to 2 minutes but the comps are fully usable.
I would still suspect a PSU going south. Neil.

 

I don't unplug the computer, turn off the power supply from the power strip, so I save power and don't get bothered by the lights on the speakers.

 

I repeated this morning the experiment I mentioned above -- wait for a few minutes after I turned on the power strip and turn the computer on. And it worked without flaw once again. So, I think I can close this thread as resolved. Thanks everyone.