Reset switch* switching itself off

[Hustler]

The last couple of times I've switched the PC on I've found that the main button at the front has done nothing and I've had to flick the reset switch off and on and then the power button has come back to life.
Is this a sign of a problem ?
Do I need to find a PC techie I can take my PC to ?

The PC is a home built one (built by an expert) from years ago but everything is kept up to date and it runs Windows XP.

Leaving the PC switched on is not an option.
Thanks very much.

* I don't know if it's actually called a reset switch. It's an on / off toggle next to where the power lead goes into the back of the PC.

 

[Eoghan]

Initial thoughts are that the power button on the front of the machine is stuck on. or if its like the machines here at work, the power button isn't making contact with the power switch on the main case...

its also possible that the machine has hung when you shut it down last thus rendering the main power switch in operative. so by switching the off on switch at the back sorts it out till the next time.

it could be a sign of hardware going bad... do a hdd health check and viruses etc, this might help.


hope that is of some help...

Eog

 

[littleredrooster]

It's often a sign of a failing power supply. The button is semi-intelligent, in that it knows how to shut the pooter down when you press it. When the power supply starts to go tits-up, this can be one of the early symptoms.

 

[Hustler]

Thanks for the replies people, I'll follow up your hints and tips.
Thank you, appreciated.

 

[Hustler]

And just to add, in case anyone was wondering what happened next ...........
Well for the last 5 days, since I mentioned the problem in fact, the PC power button has been as good as gold and no problems whatsoever.
Technology eh, wonderful.
Thanks for the advice though people, it was appreciated.