P4 wont turn on

[billniceguy]

My P4/2.4 gig, 512 ram 98se wont start up until 3-4-5 times. Once it starts it is fine. Why wont it start first time? I push start button, red light for hard drive stays red and nothing happens...i hit reset and same thing, and reset again, and sometimes on 3-4-5 time it finally starts and works ok. Why wont it work on first try?

[Kuasimodem]

Most likely, your power supply is either flakey or insufficient for your system.

[thekingofpain]

Have you got a 12v line going directly to the mb?
(wasnt included in the poll)

[John Prophet]

I voted for the switch..u can easily check that aspect of it by opening the case...pulling the power switch wire off the motherboard and using a jumper to connect the pins instead.

[jmichna]

Is the a system that was formerly working fine, or a newly built one that you just put together?

[billniceguy]

jmichna..honestly cant remember. am 68 and poor memory. will try what john said..re line to mom, dont think there is one, but that good idea too. thanks all for your help, bill