I believe the power switch went out on one of my comps. I pulled it off and checked to see if current flows through the switch while it is on and off and still nothing. I'm just wondering if i need to get another "computer style" switch, or will any push button style work?
Thanks

Lets see if I understand this correctly. You checked to see if there's current through the switch while in on or off position and there is no current in either position. Is that correct?

As far as the button in the front of the computer, it just opens a relay to the psu. Its possible that what's really wrong is that the psu has gone bad. Then again, maybe I misunderstood what you were asking.

YES !! Any momentary switch will work,i am presently using the same thing on another comp,original switch went south)

Yes, I tested the power supply with a power supply tester and everything checks out. The switch is broken and are just looking for options to fix it.
Thanks

or even a screwdriver will work...

i concur... a screwdriver will work, just like a jumper....

Ara

As witht he rest of the replies, if its just the switch, anything should do. Not sure about the screwdriver. That might accidently touch a hot circuit and I'm deathly afraid of electricity. Seen a few too many people die when touching live circuits.

First of all, you cant die touching anything in your computer, none of those capacitors are big enough (your monitor is another story.. dont stick a screwdriver in there)

But I wouldn't recommend a screwdriver for anything other than testing.

Any momentary switch will work.
Make sure that if you buy a switch that you buy a momentary switch.
(there is no real "on position" for a computer switch unless you count it being held down)

The switch should only close the circuit while it is held down.

Hey guy, there's plenty of things inside a computer that can provide enough power to stop a person's heart. Think about the paddles that are used to start people's hearts in emergency rooms, etc. They only use 400 milliwatts, sometimes as little as 200 milliwatts. You have more than that in a computer.

Let me clarify then..
yes it is possible to stop the heart with only 100milliamps depending on the voltage.

But if you jam your screwdriver into the voltage regulator capacitors.. that voltage will go through the screwdriver not your heart. (path of least resistance) and even if you had your fingers right near the tip, it will burn you not stop your heart.

But a better reason.. if you dont know which connection to close dont jam your screwdriver in there because you will DESTROY the board.
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Ok, sorry about that little tiff.
The safest/easiest way to test the switch is actually to just short the connection on the switch side.
You wont need to put your fingers anywhere near the board, just make sure that you close the connection between the two wires.

If that doesnt work it means your switch isnt the problem.
This could mean there is a problem with the power supply, it could also mean there is just a problem with a voltage load on the mobo.

1. turn off the power switch on the power supply or unplug it if it doesnt have a switch.
2. Remove any USB cables with external power.
3. Wait 60 seconds
4. Hold down the power button for a few seconds.
5. plug the power back in and try again.

Ok, we got it straight, though I think I typed milliwatt when I should have typed milliamp or something. I'm just very cautious when it comes to elctricity. Seen too many people electrocuted from touching things with live current in them.

sorry to hear that bud, what do you work as?

Ara

Ok, so im going to look for a momentary switch correct? and they should have those at radio shack I assume. Thanks for the advice guys.
Thomas

I'm a retired doctor. Spent lots of time working in emergency rooms. Then I had a heart attack and I became the emergency. My doctor said "You're retired", so I took up sailing to relax.