[Por_sha911]

New data:

I shut the computer down after a full backup and the next morning it started right up when I hit the button. I tried it again and it wouldn't respond. Pushed the button 'a couple hundred times' - no response. This was the worst of all the times before it would respond so I'm leery to shut it down again.

I opened up the case. Shut the UPS off again. Hit the button with some electronics cleaner spray (and yes I let it dry out). Tried it with the UPS on - no go.

***Shut off the UPS and hit the power button and the cooling fans (not the power supply) spun for just a split second. Huh. Turned the UPS power back on and again no response after numerous button presses.

*****Turned the UPS off. When I turned the UPS back on, the computer started up as if I had hit the power button!!!! (before I touched the button)

Then I started thinking:
- Is this a power button problem?
- Is the desktop power supply bad??

I wish I could shut it down and replace the supply (not that expensive & I have done that before) but what if it won't respond at all after that (it seems to take more presses each time)?

Thoughts?

Note: I don't want to reformat the software and lose the updates and tweaks made over the decades. MY last resort it accessing the software and date on the HD via buying another machine but that is beyond my skill level so it would require paying someone.