HP e9280t "cold" start problems

[SkinnyKid]

Recently when I cold start the PC, the power flashes on/off several times until it finally catches and starts.  No problem with "hot" re-starts only on cold starts.  Does this sound like a power supply issue or motherboard or ??

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

Be sure to plug your PC into a know good power source (omit any power strips or UPS).

Have you made any hardware changes to this PC?

Use the HP Support Assistant and tell us the bios level and motherboard revision level of your PC.

Try this procedure:

Unplug the PC and open it up. Clean out all the dust. Carefully remove and replace all the cables going to the motherboard one at a time. Do the same for the memory dimms and the video and sound cards if you have any.  You might want to buy a can of compressed air to blow the dust out of the CPU heat sink.  Plug your PC back in and give it a go.

[SkinnyKid]

Thanks Big_Dave.  Yes I've tried those things.  I think I have narrowed it down again to the power supply.  When I let the computer sit for several hours with no power and turn it on, it flashes just once (one on and one off) then starts normally.  During the on/off flashing, the power light on the back of the PSU goes on and off.  To me that sounds like a PSU issue.

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

Yes PSUs can cause the type issue that you are experiencing.

Try this procedure:

Unplug the PC and open it up. Clean out all the dust. Carefully remove and replace all the cables going to the motherboard one at a time. Do the same for the memory dimms and the video and sound cards if you have any.  You might want to buy a can of compressed air to blow the dust out of the CPU heat sink.  Plug your PC back in and give it a go.

BTW,  Did you notice the PSU that I am using in my HP e9280t?

Tip:  If you should decide to replace the PSU one a PSU that is not the standard HP size of 5.5 by 3.4 by 5.9 then remove the front bezel, unlatch the optical drives and side the optical drives forward to ease the installation.  The Corsair PSU that I am using is 5.9 by 3.4 by 5.9.  I also used empty media bays to tuck away the longer cable lengths that are associated with retail power supplies.

These HP 'how-to" articles should be helpful.