Computer Hard to Start Up

My husband is running a Gateway Windows XP Media computer and everything was running fine until a few days ago. At night we turn off our computers and start them up the next day.

For the last few days, he has had a terrible time booting up his computer. He pushes the power button on and it starts but then there is a red light in front and I think it is the hard disk light. It starts to come up faintly on the screen but then shuts down. He keeps trying it until it finally boots up.

We haven't turned it off recently as we are afraid we won't get it started again.

I have backed up all his files just in case it does crash.

My question is, do you think that the hard disk is crashing or could it be the power supply or power button.

Thanks for any suggestions. I don't believe his computer is under warranty anymore.

Jean

 

There are usually 2 lights - Green for power & Red for hard disk. When you switch on the computer, the green light should come on first & stay on. The red light may come on/may not come on/flicker (depending on the hardware installed/BIOS etc.).
Are you also getting something on the monitor or is it totally black ? There is a small light on the monitor which should come on and stay on if its getting signal from the computer. if it blinks, its not getting proper signals. What's the status of your monitor light ?

 

I left the computer on all night because I was afraid I would not get it started this morning. But now I turned if off for a short time and when I restarted it, it came right up. I think it only has a hard time when the computer cools down and it is cold. I'm not sure though.

Yes, there are two lights on the front of the computer. The one on the left is the one that stays on and is RED (maybe hard disk?). The other one that has an icon like the sun turns green.

Yes when I turn the computer on a little screen shows on the monitor which is light and then goes away. Also I sometimes see a Gateway screen but then everything shuts down and the screen goes black.
The monitor seems to be working fine. I do think it is something to do with the tower. It will try to start and then shut down. After numerous times the power button is pushed in, it finally starts up.

I will turn off the computer for several hours now and give it another try and report back to you.

Thanks for the help.

Jean

 

From whatever little info I have, it seems like a bad power supply.

 

I would check all of the connections by pulling them off then reseating them. Also check all of the cards (video, sound, memory and etc.) the same way. If something has loosened up it might take awhile for it to warm up and expand thereby making a better connection. Other item to check is a weak CMOS battery on the motherboard. Replace it. You will need to reset your Bios settings if you had changed them from their default level previous. Another possibility is the power supply is getting weak or the the power outlet, surge protector or UPS device where the PC is plugged into is bad. Make sure the processor isn't loose in the socket. This too could cause the need for the prcessor to warm up so it can make a better connection.

 

Worth trying. And while the case is open, give it a thorough dusting with a can of compressed air.

 

Thank you everyone for the great help. I did most of the things that were suggested and came to the conclusion it was the monitor's problem and not the computer. I tried the monitor on another computer system and it acted the same way. I suppose I will have to replace the monitor but better than lose the whole computer.

Thanks for all the help. The old, but reliable monitor that we had is connected to the computer now and it seems to be working fine.

Jean