Switch solution?
I have one of the original Book PCs, and the power switch went bad. I have to hold it down - pressed in - for the power to stay off. If I release it, then it powers right back up again.
Is there a way to purchase a replacement power switch?
Patricia
Answer:
It sounds as if you've got a switch-bounce issue - the switch is "chattering" a few times after you release it, and that's turning the computer back on. Modern ATX power switches are momentary; all they do is short the two power-on pins on the motherboard each time you press them.
If this is the problem - actually, if it's any problem that requires replacing the switch - then there are a number of possible solutions. I doubt you'll be able to find an official Book PC Replacement Power Switch, but the switch itself will be a simple little momentary pushbutton mechanism, and there are a zillion of those in any decent electronics store. You may be able to find one that you can fairly easily swap in.
Alternatively, some other switch could be connected to the current switch's cable and used instead. Any momentary switch will do, and no dangerous voltages are carried on the wires. So if you don't care about a somewhat Mad Max appearance for the computer, you can just rip out the old switch, run the wire through the hole and stick the new switch in the hole, or to the side of the case with double sided tape, or just leave it dangling.
Anything that shorts the appropriate two pins for a moment will do, here. It's possible to turn a bare motherboard on and off with a car key, and many computer technicians do.
(A reader's also pointed out to me that a simple solution to a dud power switch is to unplug it, unplug the reset switch as well, and plug the reset switch cable onto the power switch pins. Bingo; problem solved. You can't easily hard-reset the computer any more, but wouldn't you rather be able to turn it on and off?)
