Just bought a secondhand 2nd PC, Gateway 2000(G6-350) running W98se plus all updates, after I reformated. The PC came with all original software and docs. It is a standalone machine. The problem I'm having is that when I turn on the power (from the wall), there seems to be a surge of electric through the system. There is no on/off switch on the back of the PSU and the front button is touch sensitive. I've checked the connecters behind the front button, all seems fine. The monitor is from a different power source. Any ideas why this should happen? I'm worried that I may fry something or another. Thanks in advance The world is full of willing people, some are willing to work, others are willing to let them; just a thought!

I'm wondering how you are noticing this surge exactly. Sure though, as you insert the plug in the back you get a small spark which is due to various large capacitors charging in the power unit. You would of-course get the same thing at the mains switch. Sounds like it's nothing to worry about. If there was a real problem your system would be playing up horribly. Derek.W

If you mean the computer seems to power up for a second and then off, that's often normal. If you mean it actually starts up, you need to go into cmos/bios setup and adjust the power options. Set all the power on options to off or none.

Fans and LEDs turn on, HDD fires up and then just turns off, all in a nanosecond. Which is why I think it's a surge. No other PC I've seen does this. The world is full of willing people, some are willing to work, others are willing to let them; just a thought!

When you apply power to an ATX computer, power is supplied to the motherboard. It may cause the CPU fan to turn a few times. Pressing the front panel button them switches the computer on properly. This is normal behaviour. While power is applied, although the computer is turned off, there is still a small amount of current going to the motherboard. Not all power supplies have a power switch on the back. This is common with cheap ones. Does the computer turn on and does if everything work? If so there is nothing to worry about. Stuart

Often ATX machines do that. Don't worry about it.