Member Avatar for ruthywriter

I'm scared to turn my computer off. The last time I did, it didn't want to start when I pressed the start button. Nothing happened. Finally, after pressing, and pressing, and punching with the tip of a pen, and pressing some more (and praying a whole lot), it 'clicked' and turned on. I just had it worked on about eight months ago. It would come on, but not start up. Now, of course, the warranty is out. Should I never turn it off? Is HP replacing the start buttons for free?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by caperjack

Dani AI

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This is a common Presario 2100 symptom and can come from two different areas: the front-panel/button assembly (mechanical or cabling) or the power/board electronics (DC jack, power rails, caps, or solder joints). ’s description fits either category; earlier replies from and pointed at both directions. The checklist below fills gaps in the thread with safe, practical diagnostics you can do before paying for parts or a shop visit.

Do these external checks first (no disassembly required):

  • Look at the AC adapter label, note the rated voltage/polarity, and measure the adapter with a multimeter to confirm it’s within spec.
  • Try booting with AC only, then with battery only. Remove both, hold the power button for 20–30 seconds (drains residual charge), then connect AC and try again.
  • Watch LEDs and listen for beeps/fan activity — repeating blink-and-fan cycles often points to power-rail instability rather than a stuck plastic button.
  • If another front-panel button (like the mail key) powers it on, that narrows it to the front-panel switch / cable.

If those fail and you’re comfortable opening the case, do controlled internal checks:

  • Disconnect AC and battery first and ground yourself. Inspect the flat flex/front-panel cable and its connector for torn traces or loose pins. Look for bulging or leaking electrolytic capacitors near the power circuitry.
  • To confirm the switch vs. board, briefly short the power-on pins on the motherboard with a small insulated screwdriver tip while AC is connected (only if you know which pins those are). If the machine starts, the button assembly is the culprit. If not, the problem is likely on the board (jack, caps, or cracked solder joints) and needs component-level repair.

If under warranty, contact HP/Compaq support. Outside warranty, front-panel parts are inexpensive; motherboard fixes (resolder, cap replacement, or reflow) are costlier. If unsure, capture the exact symptoms (LED pattern, whether fans spin, whether any buttons work) and give that to a technician — it saves time and money.

Recommended Answers

All 8 Replies

Member Avatar for Catweazle

The switch itself is a little unit that clicks into place from behind the front cover. the Button only pushes down onto it. The switch unit has probably come adrift, or the little plastic lugs holding it in place are worn or broken. Take it to a repairman and see if they can 'butcher' something up to hold it in place properly or even glue it in place. At the very least they should be able to replace the switch unit if it really is faulty.

Member Avatar for ikenfixit

Im getting a ton of these 2100 series notebooks in w/various problems.. If yours isnt as simple as a misalingmet of button to switch it could be another issue were seeing here. Let us know. (We help a ton of people through these forums)

Member Avatar for uzi123

Im getting a ton of these 2100 series notebooks in w/various problems.. If yours isnt as simple as a misalingmet of button to switch it could be another issue were seeing here. Let us know. (We help a ton of people through these forums)

What about when you push the power button and all the lights blink in sync with the fan turning on and off, after about 10 to 12 attemps its boots normally.

Member Avatar for ikenfixit

Could be a CPU socket w/bad solder joints from overheating.. (Prevelent on the Athlon models). Or leaky diodes on the supply rails to the CPU.

Member Avatar for jonichiban

I have this same problem, but fortunately I am able to turn the computer on using the mail button.

Member Avatar for dcc

For the best results post your own thread with the specifics of your own problem. Include the make and model of your computer and any other applicable specs.

Member Avatar for xxrosiimariixx

For the best results post your own thread with the specifics of your own problem. Include the make and model of your computer and any other applicable specs.

I have a Compaq Presario 2100 and everything is plugged into place and I push the power button and nothing happens, it wont turn on at all, no matter how many times i push the button or how long i push it for, nothing helps, what do you think that problem would be? It just stopped turning on out of nowhere.

Member Avatar for caperjack

I have a Compaq Presario 2100 and everything is plugged into place and I push the power button and nothing happens, it wont turn on at all, no matter how many times i push the button or how long i push it for, nothing helps, what do you think that problem would be? It just stopped turning on out of nowhere.

i find it hard to believe you couldn't follow the instructions of post #7

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