Computer Start Up

I have a Compaq Presario 5070 which is about 5 years old
and running Win 98SE with a 4.1 Hard drive. A problem just
started in that when I press the on button the status lights
come on but the hard drive does not start running. I have the
computer plugged into a surge protector. When I unplug the
computer from the surge protector and directly into the wall
everything starts up. Then I plug back into the surge protector
and it still will start. I leave it off and come later have no
start again. I plug back into the wall and no start. I remove the plug from the wall and back into the wall again and it starts. I changed power cords and the same thing happens. It seems to need a jolt to get it going. This is a weird problem.
Any Ideas whats wrong?

Thanks, Jerry

 

Just a wild guess here, but since it does not seem to have a set pattern of where it likes to be plugged in at, & changing power cords didn't help, & on the times that it does start up & the hard drive does spin up & it works as it should, then you might have a short in the power switch on the computer. Not making a good connection sometimes.

 

Sounds more like a grounding problem with your surge protector. You may want to try no surge protector for a (short) while and if no more problems, buy a UPS or a good surge protector. Cheap surge protectors are of almost no use re: protection from spikes, lightning or whatever - call them what they are - useless.

 

I found the reason the computer would not start
up the hard drive but I don't understand why?
I had added a 4 port USB Hub and connected the
power supply to it. After messing with this computer not starting up I pulled the plug on
it. To my surprise the two status lights kept
lighted up. The only other connection with power
was the USB transformer. I pulled the plug on it and the lights went out. I thought that must
be the problem so I disconnected the USB Hub
transformer and the computer started right up.
The next morning with the Hub still disconnected
the computer started right up. The I shut down,
connected the Hub transformer and again the
computer would not start. So now I am going to
return the Hub and live without it. Can anyone
tell me how the connection of the USB Hub and
transformer are causing this problem. The USB
Hub connected by itself without the transformer
connected does not cause the problem. When I
attach the transformer the problem happens.
I cannot figure this one out.

Thanks, Jerry

 

Jerry,

You might look in the control panel power options and your BIOS for one of those weird settings about power up computer when the modem rings or some such thing.

It could have been set all the time and until you got the USB Hub thingy, it did not show itself.