Hi, I have been experiencing some odd problems when I start up my computer. This doesn't happen every time, mostly when the computer hasn't been on for a while. When i press the power button to start the PC up I get a message on the screen saying "Cable Disconnected or Power Removed". At this point the monitor switches its self off, but the pc its self seems to be running, but dead. I try to press the power button to restart it but it wont work, its like its locked. So I have to turn it off at the wall and restart. Then it starts up fine. I do not think there is a faulty connection because I have checked it thouroughly.

Sounds like the symptoms of a dead or dying video card. Can you borrow another to try, or is your video onboard (i.e. integral to the motherboard)? If onboard, maybe you can try a PCI video card. HTH

The strange thing is, everytime I restart it (for the second time) it fires up as if nothing is wrong. Then you can turn it off and on without a problem. The problem only seems to occur when the computer hasn't been on for a long period of time. (ie over night).

The hard drive appears to be locked up and only a power reset gets it working again, then everything is fine.

I have seen bad hard drives exhibit similar symptoms. Try disconnecting yours to see if the machine will post after being off for a period of time, such as overnight. It may be a process of elimination to determine which component is causing the problem. HTH