Question Bizarre problem --- is it the PSU or something else ?

[jwilkinson12]

I’ll try and keep it brief but I have a 2017 Dell Alienware Aurora R7 that's stock except for an upgraded SSD.

I shut down my computer the other day and went to start it up after a good nights rest and nothing. The computer acted like it was unplugged. Not even a flicker.

So I think, well don’t know how but my PSU must’ve went out. Swap out PSU, same thing. Now i’m puzzled, so put old one back in, notice that the green light is on in the back. Push it and all the fans start running (yes should have don’t that first but it is my first time troubleshooting) so PSU is good, try isolation of all the components, MB is good, drives are good, CPU is good.. everything seems in order.

I finally get the computer to start after clicking the self test and the power button at the same time, weird but okay. Backed up all my files because who knows how long that’ll work but then I get curious.

Computer runs as normal. Didn’t do a stress test or anything but restart works as intended, if I shutdown the PC and immediately push the start button it works as intended.

But if I shut it down and restart it 30 minutes later the computer acts like it doesn’t know what electricity is.

Anyone know what the problem could be? It seems like the computer won’t “turn over” if we were talking in car terms. Like a starter battery is dead and not letting it boot up.

Again first time troubleshooting and any advice is helpful. Thanks.

 

[helpstar]

maybe cmos battery faulty, replace

 

[RAIDGoblin]

test the switch in your case with a multi-meter

or try a new CMOS battery? it probably isn't that because a bad cmos battery will usually just cause it to boot to bios each time, it wouldn't cause the PC to not start at all, but if it'll restart after 30 seconds but not later then maybe it could be that? (edit, looks like someone beat me to it on this one).