Computer is Slow to Start: My son has a Dell, about 5 years old. It's a Core i7, 8GB of RAM. When he pushes the ON button, nothing happens. Holding it for a few seconds will usually...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

My son has a Dell, about 5 years old. It's a Core i7, 8GB of RAM. When he pushes the ON button, nothing happens. Holding it for a few seconds will usually get it started. I replaced the switch with one that was good, but it didn't make any difference. it has about 8,300 hours on it, with 2,700 starts.

Any ideas?

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

I would guess that it is the power supply Jerry.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Don't know the answer, but curious as to where you get the "starts/hours" info as I picked up a used Dell Studio XPS with an i7 quad core & 8 GBs of DDR3 Ram specifically for my image processing.

jerryc41 wrote:

My son has a Dell, about 5 years old. It's a Core i7, 8GB of RAM. When he pushes the ON button, nothing happens. Holding it for a few seconds will usually get it started. I replaced the switch with one that was good, but it didn't make any difference. it has about 8,300 hours on it, with 2,700 starts.

Any ideas?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Screamin Scott wrote:

Don't know the answer, but curious as to where you get the "starts/hours" info as I picked up a used Dell Studio XPS with an i7 quad core & 8 GBs of DDR3 Ram specifically for my image processing.

I thought someone might ask about that. I keep a pad and pencil next to the computer, and... kidding.

I have a great free program called CrystalDiscInfo. It keeps track of hard drive info, including temperature.

http://crystalmark.info/software/CrystalDiskInfo/index-e.html

RJarvis Loc: Seattle, WA

jerryc41 wrote:

My son has a Dell, about 5 years old. It's a Core i7, 8GB of RAM. When he pushes the ON button, nothing happens. Holding it for a few seconds will usually get it started. I replaced the switch with one that was good, but it didn't make any difference. it has about 8,300 hours on it, with 2,700 starts.

Any ideas?

I had a similar problem with Dell laptops many years ago. I finally fixed it by buying a newer model - a refurbished one on eBay. Dell E-series (e.g. Latitude E6520) can be had for $500 or less.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

RJarvis wrote:

I had a similar problem with Dell laptops many years ago. I finally fixed it by buying a newer model - a refurbished one on eBay. Dell E-series (e.g. Latitude E6520) can be had for $500 or less.

Thanks. I've gotten some good Dells from their online auction, like under $300.

If this problem doesn't have a simple solution, he'll be getting a new computer.

Kentee Loc: Southern California

jerryc41 wrote:

My son has a Dell, about 5 years old. It's a Core i7, 8GB of RAM. When he pushes the ON button, nothing happens. Holding it for a few seconds will usually get it started. I replaced the switch with one that was good, but it didn't make any difference. it has about 8,300 hours on it, with 2,700 starts.

Any ideas?

It may be operating correctly. I have a ZT Affinity with an i7 processor and, to start it, you push the button on the front of the case and it lights up blue as expected. BUT, if the button is held down for more than a moment, the light goes out and it fails to start.

Normal use of the hold down is to force a shutdown when there are open files and the computer will not shut down. Other than that, it's just the way it is. No problem.

Robert Graybeal Loc: Myrtle Beach

some computers .. you have to hold the button for a second or two.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Kentee wrote:

It may be operating correctly. I have a ZT Affinity with an i7 processor and, to start it, you push the button on the front of the case and it lights up blue as expected. BUT, if the button is held down for more than a moment, the light goes out and it fails to start.

Normal use of the hold down is to force a shutdown when there are open files and the computer will not shut down. Other than that, it's just the way it is. No problem.

This is a fairly new development - maybe two weeks. Originally, I would press the button in for a second or less, and it would start. Holding it in would force it to shut down. Now, I have to hold it in for several seconds and hope it starts.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Robert Graybeal wrote:

some computers .. you have to hold the button for a second or two.

Not this one. See my comment below.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

ebbote wrote:

I would guess that it is the power supply Jerry.

I agree with ebbote. Generally if it's a switch problem, it will either work or it won't. The switch is a momentary closed design meaning when you push it, it closes the circuit & starts the power supply. Part of the power supply acts like the starter on your car & may have a dead spot on it. Pushing the power button several times may get it just past the dead spot. Replacing the power supply would be cheaper than replacing the system. As long as the computer is working well otherwise & does what is needed without being too slow, replace the power supply rather than buying a whole new system. Just make sure the replacement power supply has at least the same wattage rating and has the same connections as the 1 you're replacing.

superpijak Loc: Middle TN

I would be backing up that hard drive pronto...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

superpijak wrote:

I would be backing up that hard drive pronto...

Good point.

The boot drive has just programs. Everything else is in the D drive. Very convenient.

superpijak Loc: Middle TN

Very Wise also....

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've had no luck Googling this problem because the computer does start, and it will keep running indefinitely. It's six years old, so it's not worth putting money into it. Still, it's a Core i7 with 2 1TB drives, and it's never given me any trouble. I really though swapping switches out do the trick.