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Is it possible to be too cold for the computer to start?
Hehe. I wouldn't have believed it, but apparently the answer is YES!
On those cold mornings, If you push the big button and nothing happens, might have to apply a little heat to the system for a few minutes.
Or so I'm finding out.
My guess would be that you have a loose connection in there somewhere, and the cold has caused something to contract enough that it isn't making contact anymore. I would take the side off the case and make sure all the cables / cards are firmly plugged in.
Probably the combination of high humidity and freezing temperature.
Much of Southern California is covered with snow right now because of a rare weather condition that caught us all by surprise.
Two dead computers sprung to life after a few minutes of warmup from a portable electical heater. The CRT monitors were the culprits. Even after ensuring that all connectors were dry, the NEC and SONY monitors still required some additional time in heating to finally kick-on.
More reading here:
theage.com.au
"The problems of running hot and cold"
By Lia Timson
July 29 2003
Excerpt:
"Even if you can't see, a little film of water can get on the cold surfaces and condense. That means the equipment was too cold when exposed to humidity, so keep it warm before taking it into a humid environment," UTS's Peterson says
The newer Pentiums have upper and lower operation limits based on temperature.
Hello,
I have a old barn, Shop, Etc... Whatever you want to call it. It is 1000 sq ft. big and is unheated. I use it for testing and storage mostly! In seattle it can get down to the freezing temps from time to time! When it gets this cold, the computer I use in there for data/inventory on parts and stuff won't start up untill I fire up the propane heater for a few mins and warm stuff up in there.
It is a terribly old computer, Pentium 233, 64 megs of ram and runs just fine for what I use it for. If I try to turn that old beast on when it is cold and not warmed up.... nothing happens, No lights, no noise, nothing. This computer has survived three full winters like this and this is it's fourth winter! So for me it works fine. when the heat is turned on there is condensation on the outside of the case sometimes. As long as I let the heat be on a few mins and it is above 45 degrees in there there seems to be no problem with the computer running/ starting up. I could just leave the computer on as a option, but this, let it get cold and warmup later process works just fine for me and saves a little electricity too. If it were a more expensive computer I would leave the computer on as the processor would produce enough heat to keep out any moisture and would allow the computer to operate at a more steady temperature!
The only thing I worry about is condesation on the hard drive platters. There is a breather hole on all hard drives that will allow a very small amount of air flow to equalize pressure. But so far no problem and seattle is very humid year round until freezing! ;)
Thanks JAL,
I'll be leaving the heater on for the next couple of nights.
Don't usually have to around here because the humidity is usually next to nil.
I'll be glad when it's all gone again.