Multiple Power On Attempts

[CAM]

Problem with a home machine, hardware fault?

 

Parents complaining that their machine won't turn on. I hold the power button in to force it off as the screen is blank and it comes back on by itself! Only every time you try to turn the PC on, the lights come on and the fan revs up to max (which is normal) but then it cuts out. PC tries again, same routine, cuts out. PC tries a third time, same routine, proceeds to POST and starts normally.

 

The graphics card is also shot and it is defaulting to the onboard (which gives me time to back it up which I need to do as it's got a crippled install of Vista on it that needs replacing). Normal POST but device manager doesn't pick the card up at all.

 

Worth salvaging or throw it in the bin?

[LeightonJames]

BURN IT!

Sounds absolutely wrecked to me. Recover the data but then trash the machine. Not worth messing with.

[difinity]

It surely depends on how old it is and how much time you have and if there is money available for a new one.

Try it without the "faulty" graphics card.

[azc]

Sounds like a hardware fault. How old is it? Check the motherboard for bulging/leaking capacitors.

[NviGate_Systems]

That or a bad PSU. Depending on brand, there were a few dodgy ones out there, caps and all.