[necklacemaker]

Hello,
The last couple of days (this began on Mon.) when I have tried to turn on my computer, 2 things happen simultaneously: 1. my pc doesn't turn on, and 2. my modem's Ethernet light goes off. The first time this happened I called up Qwest, and a representative had me try to reboot my modem, where happily, my pc turned on. But on Tues. evening the same problem happened again, so I tried to reboot my modem twice - w/ no luck w/ my pc. I called up Qwest support, explained my problem, and was told this is not a modem issue (my modem is from Qwest), but my pc. Luckily, when talking to Qwest support, I was able to turn on my pc...and when I finally got in touch w/ someone at eMachines (maker of my pc), I was told that it sounded like a software problem. In any case, when it happened again today, I tried everything – but after rebooting my modem (twice) my computer turned on. Please help, I have no idea what’s going on.


I have Windows XP (updated version) my browser is google chrome - if you need any other info, plz let me know.

[Anon B]

w/ no luck w/ my pc ... touch w/ someone

do have a problem using the word 'with'?

as it is an eMachine, I suspect the cause of your PC not being able to start is a flaky power supply unit, they are fitted with crappy bestec units.

[necklacemaker]

really...sarcasm?

[blues_harp28]

What happens when you disconnect said modem from the Pc - and then try to start your Pc?

[necklacemaker]

- not sure if this is the right answer, but when I reboot my modem, I'm unplugging the power, then plugging the power on again - (I have DSL, unfortunately) - the last two days, when I first tried this, and then turned on my pc, the power switch/button on my pc doesn't turn on, just flashes - and at the same time, the ethernet light turns off. Should I try just unplugging my ethernet?

[necklacemaker]

...if this is a flaky power unit, how do I replace that?

[blues_harp28]

Disconnect the modem completely from the Pc - ethernet cable will do.
Will the Pc now start?

http://www.emachines.com/faq/vista/ck2007022634.html

[necklacemaker]

I do apologize for the confusion, but the pc that wasn't working earlier is the one I'm using now (I have only 1 pc...and I thought I made it clear in my initial post that I finally got it to work again) - the problem is that this has been happening daily. So next time this happens, don't try to reboot, just unplug ethernet cable? Is this just to find out where the issue lies? Sorry if I'm sounding like a ditz, haven't had any coffee today.

[blues_harp28]

Could be my confusion.

The idea is to isolate the problem - have no connection from modem to Pc.
Just the Pc plugged in and no modem connected to it.

Does the Pc startup and shutdown correctly?

[necklacemaker]

Startup is the only problem, really...sometimes it takes a while to shutdown (I sometimes have to press "end now" - but not usually), but it does shutdown. I know I need to get some more RAM, my pc is slow - I think that's why it's taking longer to shutdown...is this also the possible reason for my recent startup issues?

[blues_harp28]

Let us have some system specs.
Hard drive size>free space.
Right click My Computer>Open.
Right click C: drive>properties - what is listed?

Installed Ram.
Right click My Computer>properties.
What is listed?

Any yellow Exclamation marks in Device Manger.
Start>run>type.
devmgmt.msc

Back to the Modem.
Have you tried starting the Pc with no modem connected?

[necklacemaker]

Okay...

drive size (total size, right?) is 74.53 GB free space - 27.96 GB
(would it help my C drive if i compress drive to save disk space...seems like it would)

Installed Ram: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80 GHz - 760 MB of Ram

no exclamation marks

Some good new is last night and this a.m. my pc turned on w/ first try I did free some space by downloading JavaRa. (also just ran defragmenter, and regularly use disk cleanup).

Sorry, still haven't tried turning on pc w/out modem - will try that later today

thanks for all your help!

[DaveA]

(would it help my C drive if i compress drive to save disk space...seems like it would)

NO, it will slow everything down.

[necklacemaker]

Thanks Dave,

Good thing I didn't press that button...I think it's always good to ask first when it comes to your C drive

[necklacemaker]

Originally Posted by blues_harp28

Could be my confusion.

The idea is to isolate the problem - have no connection from modem to Pc.
Just the Pc plugged in and no modem connected to it.

Does the Pc startup and shutdown correctly?

Okay, finally did what you asked, and unplugged the ethernet cable. My pc had no problem turning on/off...and has been acting normal again, so I guess it fixed itself? It would be nice to know exactly what was going on - in any case, thanks for everyone's help