Comments on: Troubleshooting an HP Power Supply

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:42:38 +0000

Hopefully it is the power supply. The clicking sound is odd, but with a surge, the power supply usually takes the hit.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:35:05 +0000

I have a compaq that is about 7 years old. We had a power outage yesterday and now it will not turn on. It is getting power from the power cord, but when I hold in the power button in, it clicks and the power switch leds flash and the fan turns just a hair all in rhythm with the clicking. Click, click, click… If I let go of the button everything stops. Do you think it is the power supply?

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:12:06 +0000

A UPS system might not protect you from spike. They do help with low power situations, such as power failures and brown-outs. You might want to invest in a new power supply, not a used one. I would also get a name brand, such as Antec.

By: consuelo

consuelo — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:30:14 +0000

I recently was unable to get my Gateway to power up and took it to someone who insisted it was the power unit and replaced it with a used one. The next day I used it for several hours but the following day it again refused to power up… I have a new APC 550VA back up system and am at a loss…perhaps this guy I keep trusting really doesnt know what to do…If I had some type of irregular electrical surges in my home would the power surge unit not protect my computer? please advise…thanks

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:17:02 +0000

Next time this happens, hold the power button in for twenty seconds, then try and power up again. This drains the capacitors of stored up electricity. I suspect this is why the machine boots after a few days–the capacitors have drained. If it begins to work normally, this is probably a motherboard issue.