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[mvita]

I've got an EX475, about three years old, stock h/w configuration except for a 2GB memory upgrade (done right when I first bought the unit), four internal hard drives (500GB original system disk plus three data drives ranging from 1 to 2TB). Recently, the server has started spontaneously turning itself off. When I first noticed that the server had powered itself off, I pressed the power button, and it came up for two or three minutes, then powered itself off again. When I pressed the power button again, it stayed on for maybe 5-10 seconds (fans spinning up, etc.) before going off. When I pressed the power button again, it didn't power up at all. However, I found that if I disconnected and reconnected the AC power cable briefly, I could then get it to turn on and stay on for anywhere from 2-10 seconds before going off again.

The first thing I tried was taking the whole system apart and blowing out everything real good with compressed air. I also reseated the memory stick, and made sure the CPU heat sink was tightly secured. After reassembling the system, things were generally unchanged (system would turn on anywhere for 2-10 seconds before going off). I tried booting with just the system drive installed, which didn't make any difference. Interestingly, after letting the system sit unplugged overnight, I was able to get it to power up and stay on for a couple hours, but eventually it powered itself off again.

Anyone have any suggestions about what might be wrong, and what I might try to isolate the cause? Naturally I am suspicious of the power supply, but the fact that it does power on at least briefly makes we wonder if the fault could lie elsewhere. I'd hate to spend $100 on a new power supply if it's possible that isn't actually the problem. Any other possibilities? I would welcome any advice or suggestions anyone might have!