Computer broken again. Yes, I am serious.

Remember a while back when I was having computer issues with what I assumed was my power supply unit? That problem turned out to be something else: I'm not exactly sure what it's called, but it's the little sqaure button that's positioned behind the large power button on the face of the tower (with two small wires running back to the PSU). The brackets had broken off of it, meaning it could no longer stay in position. For the past few months, I've been reapplying electrical tape everytime it comes loose and causes my computer to shut down (about once every week or two) and I haven't had any major problems.

Until today.

My computer randomly logged off and shut down, which means I need to re-tape my button thing. When I opened the tower, I found that one of the two wires that runs from the button to the PSU had torn off at the button. Basically, this means I can no longer turn my computer on. (Like always when my computer screws up, I'm on my dad's office computer right now).

Is there anyway to fix this? I imagine I could bring it in somewhere, but they'd probably charge me a lot of money just to diagnose the problem (even though I already know what the problem is).

This post has been edited by Captain Jeff Silvers on Nov 15 2005, 11:52 AM

Not sure if eletrical tape will help you with that one. Best suggestion would be to bring in somewhere and fix... yeah I know, but this is my only suggestion I can give you.

Well I figured electrical tape wasn't going to solve that problem.

Does anybody perhaps know of a place that specializes in small parts like this? Also, a website that could instruct me on how to install a piece like that?

...I don't think this actually matters considering it wasn't working before anyway, but while I was looking at the broken piece, the second wire kinda twisted off, too. Pretty easily, actually. I doubt it changes anything, seeing as how I was going to have to replace that part anyway, but... yeah.

Okay Jeff, after you fix this, go sell some lemonade for a year and buy a new ****in' computer and move Epic 2005 to that k

If the wires broke in midsection, strip some insulation from both ends and solder them together.

If they actually broke from their contacts, you can still solder them if they're not too close to other things/each other. If they are too close.... Not sure. Get creative.

Wait so is the square button you're taking about the actual power button?

If it is I can't see how it would randomly shut your computer off (unless the wires shorted out) since most computers only use a temporary button and not a toggle button.

You could try stripping the ends off and touching them together to see if you can get it to turn on (although it's a "try at your own risk" thing but the power button probably doesn't have that much current running through it anyway). If that works you're better off finding a new switch and probably would have to run it outside your computer case in some bachelor-ish way

This post has been edited by Xgoff on Nov 15 2005, 05:48 PM

I'd solder it but only because I'm equipped to do so. If it's the main power switch wires I'm thinking of that simply came off of the main power switch, you might be able to just tap them together to get the box to fire up - don't know if you've tried that intentionally or accidently yet.

I don't quite get it, either, but I also didn't understand how the button itself just coming loose would make my computer randomly shut off, yet taping it in place stopped it from doing so (until it came loose again).

Maybe the manufacters budget'd and used the case to ground the switch

... okay probably not

Eh. There's a place around here that will fix it for fifty bucks plus parts. Any idea how much a part like this would cost? I can't imagine it being very much, unless of course things like this are brand-specific, in which case... f***.

The switch itself is only worth like 50 cents or so

But yeah you'll get considerable mark-up for it anyway

switch is peanuts, unless they're completely unaccommodating and want to replace your case

Soldering the wires back would be the best way.
If you need equipment, you can go to a hardware store and get a decent soldering iron and some solder for cheap... I only paid $10 for my iron, and solder was $4. You can get some guides at your library or on Google. It's really not that hard, just don't inhale the smoke.

You still need to practice soldering before trying to do any real work with it. Too easy to damage plastic / bridge contacts / drip solder / etc.