My computer starts to boot up, but stops once the light blue "Windows XP" page comes up. Also, it seems that the On/Off switch on the computer itself is defective--when I unplug the computer and then replug it, the computer starts booting up. Button won't shut it down. Possibly related? Any help greatly appreciated. CCA

Trouble-shoot HERE Once at that page, type XP shutdown in the search window. LL

The power button on most PCs does not switch the PC off instantly. There is a FOUR SECOND delay. To switch off the PC using the power button, you press and HOLD for those four seconds. The PC will switch off. THis feature came in a good while ago, and is controlled by the BIOS. In fact, the power button is used in a few different ways, from SLEEP mode to WAKE up, and others. It all depends on the BIOS features. As for you problem, try to start in OPTIONS MODE. Press F8 at the boot up, and it will give you a list of boot up options, from SAFE MODE to BOOT UP WITH LAST KNOWN CONFIGURATION. Don't worry is you miss the F8 a few times, some PCs are so fast, they miss the F8 key! Try hte LAST KNOWN CONFIG option first and then SAFE MODE after that if it doesn't work. There are many reasons a PC won't boot up, so the avobe choices may tell you and us something...:o) Safe Computing...:o)

Unplugged the power switch from the motherboard. Pluge in the power cord to the wall. If it comes on then it's not the button. If it does it could be one of two things. First the power supply control lead is shorted out locking it on. Second thing is the motherboard is sending a bogus power up signal to the power supply. After you eliminate the button itself the only way to check the power suppy is to "borrow" one and set it up in your system. If you get the same results (it boots when you plug it in the wal) then the circuit that senses when the button is pushed is locked on. As far as I know it's not a fixable item. HOWEVER just a thought Try after all that removing the cmos battery. Make sure it's unplugged from the wall first. Don't know if that's gonna work but it may just forget the state the sensor is in.