My computer won’t boot connected to a power strip. I have to plug it directly into the wall. I’m thinking about replacing the power supply unit, but don’t have any experience with this and I’m not sure what to look for. Anybody have hints?
Replace the power strip? Power not turned off?
If you replace it will have a sticker on the computer power supply regarding wattage etc… Is it a standard ATX system?
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I’ve already replaced the power strip. Don’t know if it’s ATX. The specs don’t clarify this, only maximum power supply.
@jonc So it will be a SFF (Small Form Factor) power supply, so you need to replace with a refurbished or new one.
If you take the side off of the system, it should show the info on the current power supply in view, you need to look at the part number and search for that…
Since the PSU/PC works when directly plugged into the wall socket, why change it? 
Check the power strip’s fuse and ensure it is grounded properly. 
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You can do a search for it. It looks like a proprietary design made by liteon, reading a couple of posts I do see that a regular ATX won’t fit without modifications, but there should be also no need for an expensive ssf psu. A quick search returned prices of around 75 USD, which is not too bad for an 500Watt power supply.
PSU
@swannema the one listed in the specs is a 180W, I suspect the case is SFF as well…not a mATX.
If you look at the pictures from the back of the case, it doesn’t look like a sff. As you already wrote, the case needs to be opened to get the correct model.
@pavinjoseph The power strip has a surge protector, and power outages are frequent in this neighborhood. I’ve used two of them. I don’t think the issue is with the strip.
Could be lack of ground or loose contact b/w:
- psu plug and strip socket
- strip plug and wall socket
If your house isn’t too large, it’s sufficient to have a type 2 SPD installed at the DB. Terminal SPDs strewn throughout the house are hard to maintain and the low quality ones are a fire hazard. 
Do you happen to have a multimeter or voltmeter at hand? Would you be able to measure the voltages on the outlet side of your PSU? Can you give some information about your PSU? Maybe the data from the sticker that has voltage and wattage on it? Are you living in an area of the world with 220V or 230V voltage?
Did you recently change some of the hardware? New GPU, etc?
It was the socket! I switched wall sockets last night, and the computer boots from the power strip this morning. I have to get an electrician out to look at this.
Good that you found the reason. Are you living somewhere where they have fuses in the sockets? I think e.g. in the UK they have that quite often. A fuse would be cheaper than an electrician
Even worse, UK power outlets also have a separate switch each. It might be something as embarrassing as the wall socket simply being switched off. Just saying. 
I live in an apartment. No charge for the electrician.
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