[SOLVED] Help, power button doesn't power up PC.

[BoaConstrictor]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone can give me any ideas as to what might be wrong with my computer.
Recently, I developed a problem where the power button does not seem to work. I have to press on it REALLY hard for the PC to turn on and I mean with all my strength, otherwise it does absolutely nothing. Once the PC powers on, there are no issues. If it goes to sleep, same thing...


This is the specs of my PC,

"
CPU
Intel Core i5 4570 @ 3.20GHz
Haswell 22nm Technology
RAM
16.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 666MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard
MSI Z87-G43 (MS-7816) (SOCKET 0)
Graphics
8192MB ATI Radeon RX 580 Series (XFX Pine Group)
Storage
232GB Samsung SSD 840 Series ATA Device (SATA (SSD))
298GB Western Digital WDC WD3202ABYS-01B7A0 ATA Device (SATA )
931GB Western Digital WDC WD1003FBYZ-010FB0 ATA Device (SATA )

Power Supply:
Gigabyte 750W

Case: Thermaltake Chaser MK-1 "

I am running Windows 7 Pro. Most of the computer is about 7 years old. I replaced the graphics card a year ago and the Power Supply unit 3 months ago. Other than the power button issue, I have no other issues. I cant access the power button itself, as the panel where it is installed does not come off and I dont want to break anything. I am planning on upgrading soon, but do not want to switch out the case.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do and what the issue might be?

Thank you, I appreciate any and all ideas.

 

[Chuckiechan]

It sounds to me that you have a bad button. It just takes a successful contact to start your computer. But to be safe, check your contacts.
E mail Thermaltake, and the should mail you one.

 

[BoaConstrictor]

It sounds to me that you have a bad button. It just takes a successful contact to start your computer. But to be safe, check your contacts.
E mail Thermaltake, and the should mail you one.

How would I go about replacing it, there is no way to access it from what I can see. It is embedded in a solid piece of plastic that doesn't come off.

 

[Chuckiechan]

I don’t know. You might have to drill a new hole or something. More than likely it is snap together plastic, dissemble using a putty knife Or something. Guaranteed to be a PIA.
if you have a voltmeter, unplug the wires and test the button that way Just to be sure. Any cheapie will do for that.

 

[jay32267]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone can give me any ideas as to what might be wrong with my computer.
Recently, I developed a problem where the power button does not seem to work. I have to press on it REALLY hard for the PC to turn on and I mean with all my strength, otherwise it does absolutely nothing. Once the PC powers on, there are no issues. If it goes to sleep, same thing...


This is the specs of my PC,

"
CPU
Intel Core i5 4570 @ 3.20GHz
Haswell 22nm Technology
RAM
16.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 666MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard
MSI Z87-G43 (MS-7816) (SOCKET 0)
Graphics
8192MB ATI Radeon RX 580 Series (XFX Pine Group)
Storage
232GB Samsung SSD 840 Series ATA Device (SATA (SSD))
298GB Western Digital WDC WD3202ABYS-01B7A0 ATA Device (SATA )
931GB Western Digital WDC WD1003FBYZ-010FB0 ATA Device (SATA )

Power Supply:
Gigabyte 750W

Case: Thermaltake Chaser MK-1 "

I am running Windows 7 Pro. Most of the computer is about 7 years old. I replaced the graphics card a year ago and the Power Supply unit 3 months ago. Other than the power button issue, I have no other issues. I cant access the power button itself, as the panel where it is installed does not come off and I dont want to break anything. I am planning on upgrading soon, but do not want to switch out the case.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do and what the issue might be?

Thank you, I appreciate any and all ideas.

If you have to press it really hard and it works.....it is most likely the button as said above.

You can replace it with any momentary switch or button.

You could actually take the two wires off the back of the switch and touch them together and it should work....but you don't want to leave those wires dangling as they could short to something.....so I would replace the switch.

 

[jay32267]

How would I go about replacing it, there is no way to access it from what I can see. It is embedded in a solid piece of plastic that doesn't come off.

Sometimes....especially with prebuilt proprietary machines....the button is a pain to get to.

Unfortunately.....sometimes I've had to make some modifications (maybe a little cutting or drilling) to put in a new one.

If you can at least get to the two wires....you could cut them......extend them.....and put the new button wherever you want.

 

[BoaConstrictor]

Hi, thank you for the help....
So I managed to get halfway into the panel where the power button is embedded into. It is very flimsy and I cant take it completely off because all the other buttons are on there and are held tight with wires. I dusted, hoping it is maybe a piece of dust or garbage that got in there, but nope. I see the two wires, but they are REALLY short, like I could barely touch them. I am not very good with technical stuff like that, not sure how to disconnect them properly and hook up another button. I don't know if Thermaltake would send me another button for a 7 year old case.
Honestly, I was planning on a new build as soon as I get some money to afford one, but really wanted to reuse the case, especially because I live in New York and can't throw the old case out (sanitation doesnt pick it up).
Is it possible to maybe cut the cables inside the case to hook up a new button? Perhaps extend them with longer wires and remove the button and lead them out?
I am not sure where to get another button or switch? Could a light switch work from Home Depot (I know it would look silly but hey, trying to salvage money here). Dont know anybody that's an electrician...
Thank you again.

 

[jay32267]

Here's what I think you might want to do....

"Is it possible to maybe cut the cables inside the case to hook up a new button? Perhaps extend them with longer wires and remove the button and lead them out? "

Being the wires are very short....it will probably be hard to get a switch on them as they are.

Keep in mind...all you need to do is get to these wires and be able to touch them together to start the PC or put a button/switch in.

When I say button/switch....I mean MOMENTARY....which means it is only closed when you are pressing it....and it needs to be "normally open". designated as "NO"

This would work. Any momentary, normally open single pole switch should work.

https://www.amazon.com/Momentary-UR...tary+single+pole+switch&qid=1610035755&sr=8-5

If you can get to the two wires enough to cut them.....strip them back a little....and extend them (either by soldering or using a butt splice) to the switch you should be all set. A butt splice would probably be easier....you just use pliers.

 

[BoaConstrictor]

Here's what I think you might want to do....

"Is it possible to maybe cut the cables inside the case to hook up a new button? Perhaps extend them with longer wires and remove the button and lead them out? "

Being the wires are very short....it will probably be hard to get a switch on them as they are.

Keep in mind...all you need to do is get to these wires and be able to touch them together to start the PC or put a button/switch in.

When I say button/switch....I mean MOMENTARY....which means it is only closed when you are pressing it....and it needs to be "normally open". designated as "NO"

This would work. Any momentary, normally open single pole switch should work.

https://www.amazon.com/Momentary-UR...tary+single+pole+switch&qid=1610035755&sr=8-5

If you can get to the two wires enough to cut them.....strip them back a little....and extend them (either by soldering or using a butt splice) to the switch you should be all set. A butt splice would probably be easier....you just use pliers.

Thanks! I'm going to look into this and contact Thermaltake to see if maybe they can send me a button too.

 

[iiSlashr]

Here's what I think you might want to do....

"Is it possible to maybe cut the cables inside the case to hook up a new button? Perhaps extend them with longer wires and remove the button and lead them out? "

Being the wires are very short....it will probably be hard to get a switch on them as they are.

Keep in mind...all you need to do is get to these wires and be able to touch them together to start the PC or put a button/switch in.

When I say button/switch....I mean MOMENTARY....which means it is only closed when you are pressing it....and it needs to be "normally open". designated as "NO"

This would work. Any momentary, normally open single pole switch should work.

https://www.amazon.com/Momentary-UR...tary+single+pole+switch&qid=1610035755&sr=8-5

If you can get to the two wires enough to cut them.....strip them back a little....and extend them (either by soldering or using a butt splice) to the switch you should be all set. A butt splice would probably be easier....you just use pliers.

Hey, I don't mean to be rude, but those ellipses seem like they should just be commas, I don't know if you know what a comma is by your previous posts. Again, not trying to be rude, I genuinely can't tell.

 

[jay32267]

Hey, I don't mean to be rude, but those ellipses seem like they should just be commas, I don't know if you know what a comma is by your previous posts. Again, not trying to be rude, I genuinely can't tell.

.....as long as you get the point.

 

[Zerk2012]

Hi, thank you for the help....
So I managed to get halfway into the panel where the power button is embedded into. It is very flimsy and I cant take it completely off because all the other buttons are on there and are held tight with wires. I dusted, hoping it is maybe a piece of dust or garbage that got in there, but nope. I see the two wires, but they are REALLY short, like I could barely touch them. I am not very good with technical stuff like that, not sure how to disconnect them properly and hook up another button. I don't know if Thermaltake would send me another button for a 7 year old case.
Honestly, I was planning on a new build as soon as I get some money to afford one, but really wanted to reuse the case, especially because I live in New York and can't throw the old case out (sanitation doesnt pick it up).
Is it possible to maybe cut the cables inside the case to hook up a new button? Perhaps extend them with longer wires and remove the button and lead them out?
I am not sure where to get another button or switch? Could a light switch work from Home Depot (I know it would look silly but hey, trying to salvage money here). Dont know anybody that's an electrician...
Thank you again.

If your case has a reset switch just move those wires to the power switch pins on the motherboard, problem solved.

 

[madmatt30]

If your case has a reset switch just move those wires to the power switch pins on the motherboard, problem solved.

Absolutely the way to go 👍

 

[BoaConstrictor]

If your case has a reset switch just move those wires to the power switch pins on the motherboard, problem solved.

You sir are a GENIUS. I'm kinda embarassed I didn't think of this before, but works like a charm! Don't have a reset button now, but I hardly ever used it anyway.
Works absolutely perfect.
Thank You!

 

[Zerk2012]

You sir are a GENIUS. I'm kinda embarassed I didn't think of this before, but works like a charm! Don't have a reset button now, but I hardly ever used it anyway.
Works absolutely perfect.
Thank You!

NP.

 

[Chuckiechan]

Here's what I think you might want to do....

"Is it possible to maybe cut the cables inside the case to hook up a new button? Perhaps extend them with longer wires and remove the button and lead them out? "

Being the wires are very short....it will probably be hard to get a switch on them as they are.

Keep in mind...all you need to do is get to these wires and be able to touch them together to start the PC or put a button/switch in.

When I say button/switch....I mean MOMENTARY....which means it is only closed when you are pressing it....and it needs to be "normally open". designated as "NO"

This would work. Any momentary, normally open single pole switch should work.

https://www.amazon.com/Momentary-UR...tary+single+pole+switch&qid=1610035755&sr=8-5

If you can get to the two wires enough to cut them.....strip them back a little....and extend them (either by soldering or using a butt splice) to the switch you should be all set. A butt splice would probably be easier....you just use pliers.

And... the best part is they are single wires, not bundled, so you can use mechanical splices available at any hardware store. For the wire, 20-24 gauge is about right For matching up For splicing. BTW, the current is DC and very low.