Sometimes computer won't turn on.

xstephenx · 10-18-2007, 10:25 PM

So like the title says, I put in a carputer a few months ago and everything works fine, when it works. Sometimes my computer just won't boot/power up/anything. And other times it comes on without a hitch. I have been lazy and haven't made a power supply to run it in my house so my troubleshooting has been limited. I have been told it may be the hard drive, but I can't figure out why a bad HD would make it turn on sometimes, and sometimes not. I don't know of any ways to test the hardware other than my HD and if anyone knows of any programs that can diagnose my hardware it would be much appreciated. Anyone that can clue me in as to where to start looking that would be awesome.

xstephenx · 10-18-2007, 10:27 PM

oh yeah, system is via epia mini itx board, opus ITX 70 power supply, and some random HD (forgot brand now). Everything is handled by the onboard components (sound/video/etc.). Like I said, it works really well when it works.

turk30213 · 12-04-2007, 02:34 PM

Hey xstephenx,
have you found the issue? I'm experiencing the same issue. It seems to happen once a week where everything will work fine, and then it will stop. The LED will blink repeatedly fast indicating there is something wrong... But what? I checked the documents and did what it suggested and still the same result. Has anyone else seen this?

-Erik-

Nomader · 12-04-2007, 02:44 PM

i would say not enough power mostly gives that result

turk30213 · 12-05-2007, 02:23 AM

Yeah, I would have said that too. But it doesnt explain why it would choose to wait after a whole week of usage before it decided to give up. :-( I called and left a message with Opus so hopefully they will respond. Until then, any more suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

-Erik-

2k1Toaster · 12-05-2007, 03:03 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by turk30213

Yeah, I would have said that too. But it doesnt explain why it would choose to wait after a whole week of usage before it decided to give up. :-( I called and left a message with Opus so hopefully they will respond. Until then, any more suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

-Erik-

If you actually are using the specs in your dropdown on a 120W Opus, I would have to second power problems. And factors are all different. Does it happen on a Monday type thing? So Sunday you dont drive to work, battery gets a little lower than optimal and problem until recharged throughout the week until monday morning again or something. it could be anything.

But power problems are very irradic. Power depends greatly on temperature for one. So temperature fluctautions on when you start the car can cause the problem even. There are so many factors to a PSU that is right at the point of being underpowered.

Nomader · 12-05-2007, 04:35 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

If you actually are using the specs in your dropdown on a 120W Opus, I would have to second power problems. And factors are all different. Does it happen on a Monday type thing? So Sunday you dont drive to work, battery gets a little lower than optimal and problem until recharged throughout the week until monday morning again or something. it could be anything.

But power problems are very irradic. Power depends greatly on temperature for one. So temperature fluctautions on when you start the car can cause the problem even. There are so many factors to a PSU that is right at the point of being underpowered.

i could not agree more

i had once pushed my DSATX 220watts to the limit..so it would sometimes randomely hang, then it would not turn on (fans were running everything was running, but there was no signal sent to the screen and there was no hard disk movement.. i removed a wifi card i had put in recently and voila.. never did that again..
so yeah it does happen randomely, it loos strange to explain, it happens more on hot weather temperature or extreme cold...

turk30213 · 12-06-2007, 10:04 PM

I'm sorry for my ignorance... So are you guys telling me that there is not enough power coming from the PSU? Or is it not enough power coming from the battery? What happens is, when I plug it in fresh, it works fine. Then when I go to use it again, it just doesnt turn on at all. I don't even get a status indicator (blinky led) on the PSU. At this point I'll be too frustrated to take apart the dash again and say "It'll wait until the weekend". Well sometime before the weekend, the power supply will still not work, but it will have a blinky led. The blink sequence isn't really in the manual either. It is a consistent blink. I will then have time to take apart the dash, unplug the cables going into the harness, wait 20 seconds, and plug it back in. Voila! it works again for an undetermined amount of time... I tried getting ahold of Opus but they are not getting back to me :-(. So I'll keep pinging them, let me know if you can come up with something else. Thanks!

Edit : I also forgot to mention that this morning I disconnected the the PSU and plugged it in. It worked. Then went to drive home from work and it did it again...

-Erik-

Bildonia · 12-06-2007, 10:12 PM

Im guessing not enough power coming from the PSU. After using it for a bit it probably underwent too much stress and is now unreliable.

wolfy317 · 12-06-2007, 11:31 PM

I'm having a very similar problem, though mine is not yet in the car. Whenever my carpc shuts down and powers off, it won't turn back on for quite a while, now I'm no newb to building pc's, but I am very new to ITX form factor, I have the epia via c3 system, with It looks like a 60watt power supply, but all I'm running is a hard drive and keyboard and mouse.........that should be plenty of power for that purpose......is it a power supply issue, or is it a motherboard issue, I know the power supply has to get the OK signal from the mobo, so I'm not sure what to think, any suggestions, thoughts?

pokki · 12-07-2007, 01:02 AM

tried booting /turning on/off without the harddrive plugged in?

wolfy317 · 12-07-2007, 01:03 AM

not as of yet, I will try that though

wolfy317 · 12-07-2007, 07:27 AM

I got home and booted up the machine with the hardrive and it booted, I shut it back down, and 1 fan revolution and nothing but a solid blue light on the front, held down the button to turn it off and pressed it again same thing. Unplugged the PSU, and plugged it back in and unplugged the hard drive while at it, then turned it back on.......boot.....turn it off.......no boot........PSU problem maybe?

turk30213 · 12-07-2007, 04:45 PM

Hey all,
Okay so, based on the discussion I am seeing, it is looking like that I need to get a new PSU. I'm looking at the DS ATX 220W (looks to be popular). I like the idea of a com port for programming/statistics. Based on the specs I have, is this sufficient? I just do not want to locked in again. On the flip note, I may have an Opus 120W for sell :-).

-Erik-

wolfy317 · 12-08-2007, 01:40 AM

I've discovered that if I leave my computer alone for just a few minutes after shutdown it comes back up with no problems. Thoughts?