[carolavis]

I may be the last one to know but in case I am not we had a lightening storm a few weeks ago and I went quickly to the computer and pulled the plugs out without shutting down. When I tried to open the computer the next day the screen was black. I called the manufacturer's tech support. They told me to disconnect the power cord from the wall, not just the surge protector and commence to push the start button on the CPU for 15 secs. off and on, off and on, etc. I thought I might be on candid camera but at the end of 15 secs when I plugged it back in. It worked!

[JohnWill]

I've never heard of that, but I'm glad it worked for you.

[LauraMJ]

What brand of computer and operating system do you have?

[Mumbodog]

Holding the power button in for 15 seconds while the PC is unplugged from AC, discharges the motherboard and memory. This should also be done before opening a PC case to work inside.

On old trick, but a good one. Dell released a tech bulletin to all contract technicians about performing this simple task before continuing with more time consuming diagnosis.

[carolavis]

The computer is a Gateway as was the technician. I have had very good luck with Gateway. This is my second one, an XP, first one still operating and is Me. The only problem I have is from Quest. They installed a new router and since then I can't get the wireless adapter to work on the second computer. They say it is because the signal isn't strong enough but before they replaced the router everything worked fine. Go Figure!

[LauraMJ]

Originally Posted by carolavis

They installed a new router and since then I can't get the wireless adapter to work on the second computer. They say it is because the signal isn't strong enough but before they replaced the router everything worked fine. Go Figure!

My mother had the same thing happen (Verizon) and they finally tried a new router and it worked again.

[LauraMJ]

Originally Posted by Mumbodog

Holding the power button in for 15 seconds while the PC is unplugged from AC, discharges the motherboard and memory. This should also be done before opening a PC case to work inside.

On old trick, but a good one. Dell released a tech bulletin to all contract technicians about performing this simple task before continuing with more time consuming diagnosis.

Hmmmm.......yes, but......the OP says that he was told to continuously push AND release the power button for 15 seconds, NOT just push and hold.

[Mumbodog]

"the OP says that he was told to continuously push AND release the power button for 15 seconds,"

Accomplishes the same thing, with no AC supplied to the PC. There is no "magic" here.

[carolavis]

Darn! I wanted to believe it was magic. But, the next time I will shut down the computer before pulling all the plugs.
I guess I should try to get a new router from Quest. Thanks.