Help! Is my computer dying?

[Paper Roses]

I have an older HP Pavilion desktop 763N. Have had very little trouble with it but then again, I don't do too much with it. I just use MS Word and of course, the Internet.
This past week, when I try to start the machine in the AM, as I push the start button, it whirrs a little, the green light comes on for about 5 seconds and then the button seems to push against my fingers, it stops. It takes me more tries each day to get the machine to actually start. Is the 'on' button shot or is the computer trying to tell me something?

This machine runs XP. I like it. The Laptop is Windows 7 and I don't like it much. I had a wireless network installed about 2 months ago so I do have an option but I would rather use this computer for every day.
Any suggestions?

[ChromeFoundry]

1. If your power button is going...

you may want to look into using your desktop's sleep or hibernate functions, rather than performing a full power down each day. I rarely reboot my laptop. It goes into sleep mode when the lid is shut, and it wakes when the lid is opened. I can count on one hand how many times I use the power button on the unit over the course of a month.

This will not correct the problem, but it may buy you some more time and reduce your frustration levels each AM.

On Edit:
I believe the command to put an XP box into StandBy is:
%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState

And Hibernate:
%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState Hibernate

maybe you could setup a shortcut with a hot-key assigned to it?

[hobbit709]

2. are there any beeps?

Are you holding the button in when you start it. you just need to press and release. If you hold it in for 5 seconds it will shut off automatically.

[Paper Roses]

3. Hi all, Latest on whats is happening,

Thanks for the reply Hobbit 709 and ChromeFoundry.
This AM it took only 3 tries to start the computer. No beep. It just shut off after my initial push twice and then retained its connection on the third try. I just pushed and did not hold the button.
I found out how to put this machine into a hibernate mode but--how does it go back to normal?
Typically, I turn this machine off at about 8:30 PM and then on at about 7AM.
What do I do to reengage the computer, just move the mouse?

[Warpy]

4. I get my HP out of hibernate by pushing the on button

If your on button is making intermittent contact, open the case with the machine off (and preferably unplugged) and blast the back of the switch with some canned air. That's often enough to blow grit, dust and cat hair out of it. Blast the whole inside of the machine while you're at it, it's good maintenance to clean the dust out once in a while.