Computer boots itself then clicks off

[srballantyne]

O.K. This is a wierd one. I have built several computers and all are still running fine.
I built the last one specifically for gaming. I left town for a month and unplugged the power to protect from surges. When I returned and tried to boot my computer the power switch would not respond. After a few seconds it booted by itself and went through part of the post and then just shut off. I reset the bios jumper and replaced the MB battery. Problem is still the same. It never cuts off in the same place in the boot process but never finishes the boot even when trying to boot with the XP disk. After sitting off for a few seconds it trys to boot again by itself over and over until I turn off the power supply. I am wondering if this is a power supply problem or a power switch problem. The MB LED comes on fine so I don't think it is shorting out I have pulled all the components and replaced them carefully and the probelm remains. I have ordered a new case with a new power supply and am hopeful that if it is the power switch or the supply this will fix the problem. Anyone had this problem before? I am stumped as to why this happened in a computer that was functioning perfectly before a month shutdown.

[Cricket]

What are the complete system specs for this computer? List the parts by brand and model including the power supply.

It sounds like a power supply problem to me.

The LED on the motherboard will light up whether or not the motherboard is shorting out to the case or not. The LED only indicates that there is power reaching the motherboard.

Cricket

[jayb1234]

Unplugged for a month, the motherboard battery might have died.

edit: missed the part of the post where you said that you replacred the battery.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by jayb1234 Unplugged for a month, the motherboard battery might have died.

Originally Posted by srballantyne I reset the bios jumper and replaced the MB battery.

A computer will start up even if the motherboard battery is dead.

Cricket

[Alexjfinch]

A MB Battery will only give charge to the BIOS to keep it's settings. If the MB Battery dies all you lose generally is the time and date and when you boot the machine the BIOS will ask you to either press F1 to set it or any key to continue.

Has the machine been plugged in while you were away? has anyone been staying in the house while you have been away?

I've had a same sort of problem with a power supply so you might want to check that, have you got another one to hand to stick in and find out if it is the problem?

Alex

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Alexjfinch Has the machine been plugged in while you were away?

From the first post:

Originally Posted by srballantyne I left town for a month and unplugged the power to protect from surges.

Cricket