A dead PC?

Indy500 · 2 Jul 2009 at 18:10

I've tried some basic elimination such as seperating the memory modules and tinkering with power cables etc, and I'm somewhat stumped as to whats causing this particular machine to reboot continously. It also doesn't help that I lack suitable spares to test with.

It doesn't last more than a few seconds and no BIOS information appears on-screen. The room has a large fan\water-cooler in it so I don't think heat is the issue. The parts are about 3 years old except for the graphics card.

Spec:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 @ 2.4Ghz (stock Intel cooler)
2x1GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2-667
LGA775 Gigabyte P35-DQ6
256MB ATI Radeon X800XL PCI-Express
320GB Seagate 7200.10 SATA2
500GB Western Digital WDAAKS SATA2
NEC ND7000 series DVD-RW
Corsair HX 520W PSU

Any ideas?

Thanks for reading

Plec · 2 Jul 2009 at 18:14

Have you tried a skeleton set up?

If you haven't try booting it with just the cpu, gfx and 1 stick of memory (disconnect everything else - all drives, speakers and usb devices) - and see if you can get it to post. (if it doesn't you will need to try the same but outside of the case as it maybe shorting.)

Also, check that the mobo isn't loose - if it is reposition it and tighten.

If you get it to post inside the case start adding components until it buckles.

If it posts outside the case, or after tightening a loose MB - then it was most likely shorting against the case.

Indy500 · 2 Jul 2009 at 18:19

Now its completely dead. Fans barely move and nothing powers up. Seems like the PSU to me...

Do you think persistent electricity cuts would have affected it? I've been told that this has happened quite a few times.

Plec · 2 Jul 2009 at 18:22

It could be the PSU - it could also still be be a short.

I would opt for building a skeleton setup ouside of the case.

Or you could do a paper clip test on the PSU?

Indy500 · 2 Jul 2009 at 18:23

Plec said:
It could be the PSU - it could also still be be a short.

I would opt for building a skeleton setup ouside of the case.

Or you could do a paper clip test on the PSU?

I haven't got a paper clip handy

I guess I'll try removing it from the case and report back.

Plec · 2 Jul 2009 at 18:24

Try this link in Admiral Hubby's site - link.

Scroll down to 'How to check Your PSU is working' - he describes the process in detail and you don't need a paper clip

Plec · 2 Jul 2009 at 18:32

sr4470 said:
I haven't got a paper clip handy

I guess I'll try removing it from the case and report back.

You don't have to jump straight to testing the skeleton set up outside of the case - you could try the skeleton set up inside the case first. Just make sure the MB is secure on the risers as well as disconnecting all non-essential components.

Although, if you have already, don't worry, it's best practice with the type of fault you've got...

Additional: Also, if your using an extension lead, - try plugging the PC directly into the socket.

Indy500 · 2 Jul 2009 at 18:39

Plec said:
You don't have to jump straight to testing the skeleton set up outside of the case - you could try the skeleton set up inside the case first. Just make sure the MB is secure on the risers as well as disconnecting all non-essential components.

Although, if you have already, don't worry, it's best practice with the type of fault you've got...

Already did. And how I have a cut hand

*curses sharp edged case*

Plec · 2 Jul 2009 at 18:43

Just don't go dripping blood on the MB

Otherwise you'll definitely have a shorting problem - and i doubt you would find the irony very funny.

Indy500 · 2 Jul 2009 at 18:45

Plec said:
Just don't go dripping blood on the MB

Otherwise you'll defintely have a shorting problem - and i doubt you would find the irony very funny.

Haha, no I didn't - I hit my upper hand on the drive bay edge.

These ATX power plugs still need a stupid amount of force to unclip. :mad:

Plec · 2 Jul 2009 at 18:55

sr4470 said:
Haha, no I didn't - I hit my upper hand on the drive bay edge.

That's what i love about computers - they like to live on the edge.

Not only do they generate random problems that p*** you off but they then push their luck by extracting pain/blood when you try and fix them.

I'm always surprised by the lack of - 'I’ve snapped my MB in half – will it have any adverse effects on any other components?' - thread titles. (I have done this once – but it my defence the motherboard in question had it coming...)

Indy500 · 2 Jul 2009 at 18:58

Plec said:
That's what i love about computers - they like to live on the edge.

Not only do they generate random problems that p*** you off but they then push their luck by extracting pain/blood when you try and fix them.

I'm always surprised by the lack of 'I’ve snapped my MB in half – will it have any adverse effects on any other components?' thread titles. (I have done this once – but it my defence the motherboard in question had it coming...)

Well hey, I'm not going to complain if it earns me a living

Same thing happens now that its outside the case. Reboots continously, blank screen.

Plec · 2 Jul 2009 at 19:08

sr4470 said:
Well hey, I'm not going to complain if it earns me a living

So you’re either a shrink, a doctor, or pc salesman/repair person? If you’re the third – what’s the verdict?

sr4470 said:
Same thing happens now that its outside the case. Reboots continously, blank screen.

That’s not sounding very promising – but at least it’s back to rebooting.

Can I just check that you only have the cpu, 1 stick and the gfx connected?

If you have – try a different stick/slot and, if you have one to hand, a different gfx card.

EDIT: Also, eliminate the extension lead if your using one - and also try a different kettle lead.

Indy500 · 2 Jul 2009 at 19:18

Plec said:
So you’re either a shrink, a doctor, or pc salesman/repair person?

If you’re the third of the above – what’s the verdict?

That’s not sounding very promising – but at least it’s back to rebooting.

Can I just check that you only have the cpu, 1 stick and the gfx connected?

If you have – try a different stick/slot and, if you have one to hand, a different gfx card.

EDIT: Also, eliminate the extension lead if your using one - and also try a different kettle lead.

Doesn't seem to make any difference. I don't have a multimeter to hand to test the PSU, just a voltmeter.

Mattus · 2 Jul 2009 at 19:19

Try booting it with no RAM in. Does it beep? (Assuming you have a speaker connected to the mobo.)

Plec · 2 Jul 2009 at 19:20

Did you remove the gfx card when removing the MB?

If not try re-seating it and re-attaching the connectors.

EDIT: and the above

Indy500 · 2 Jul 2009 at 19:28

Mattus said:
Try booting it with no RAM in. Does it beep? (Assuming you have a speaker connected to the mobo.)

No case speaker so I can't detect any beeps.

Voltmeter picks up less than 2V on the PSU wires...

Plec · 2 Jul 2009 at 19:34

The PSU is certainly a strong candidate.

Can you get your hands on a different PSU to test – tomorrow?

If you can you may as well down tools until you get some other components to test – if you’ve tried all of the above...

Indy500 · 2 Jul 2009 at 19:40

Plec said:
The PSU is certainly a strong candidate.

Can you get your hands on a different PSU to test – tomorrow?

If you can you may as well down tools until you get some other components to test – if you’ve tried all of the above...

Probably not. Just submitted an RMA request to Corsair UK for the PSU using the details I've been provided.

Plec · 2 Jul 2009 at 19:45

Wow - your decisive!

It normally takes multiple posts of 'umming and aring' from an OP to make a decsion like that - kudos.

Good luck with it - let us know how you get on.