Intermittant boot problems - time to replace?

bigjimmi · 17 May 2011 at 11:15

Hi folks, hopefully you can shed some light on my problem.

I built my PC around 3 years ago with components from oc.co.uk and it's run fine but until around 3 months ago it suddenly started not booting when you switch it on, basically the PC powers up, keyboard and mouse lights come on but no nothing on the screen. I have to hold the power button down and switch it on again maybe 5-10 time sometimes for it to boot properly.

Things I've tried to narrow the problem down.

1. A different graphics card - no difference.
2. Swapped the ram sticks and tried it with just one - no difference.
3. Wiped the hard drive - no difference.
4. Updated the bios and all drivers / run windows updates etc - no difference.
5. Tried a different monitor - no difference.

I'm beginning to think its the mother board. I've checked it for any visual signs of damage such as burst caps etc but nothing.

Could anyone make any suggestions? I've included the spec below if you need it.

Intel core 2 quad q6600 @ 2.4ghz
Asus P5E3 DEluxe
ATI Radeon HD5700
4gb Ram (2 x 2gb) OCZ DDR3 - 1333 dual chan platinum series
ocz game stream 850w power supply.

I've never even tried to overclock the thing as that would be outside my knowledge.

Thanks in advance!

Plec · 17 May 2011 at 12:01

Have you got access to another PSU to test in your rig?

bigjimmi · 17 May 2011 at 12:13

No - do you think it's that?

Plec · 17 May 2011 at 12:16

bigjimmi said:
No - do you think it's that?

It's certainly a possibity.

As you haven't got a spare PSU to hand you could do a basic PSU test - below are links to Huddy's site which has a step by step guide on how to test your PSU using a volt/multimeter:

'Use a multimeter to check your PSU' and one to 'How to check if your PSU is faulty'

The process is easier than it sounds and although it's not a definitive test it can rule out fundemental issues.

olivier renault · 17 May 2011 at 12:23

should have some LEDs / LCDs on the motherboard, which you can refer to in the manual for boot errors.

You can check out the PC health status in BIOS as well.

sk3lph · 17 May 2011 at 12:29

+1 for a PSU problem.

It looks like your PSU has developed a fault which is meaning that it doesn't have the omph (technical word) to power up the components in your system.

I had the same problem - fans spun up and the keybord light flashed but I couldn't even get into the bios. A new PSU cured the problem.

panyan · 17 May 2011 at 13:39

sk3lph said:
it doesn't have the omph (technical word) to power up the components in your system

LOL

yep, that is what i probably would have checked first :/

thedude23 · 17 May 2011 at 13:52

Sound very similiar to the problem I'm having with my rig :'( shut down start up shut down start up etc etc and then maybe on the 11th try I log into windows only for it shut down again *sigh*

Admiral Huddy · 17 May 2011 at 14:42

Check your PSU as Plec says above.

Also, check the system dump in the root directory and/or the Event Manager for clues as to what's causing the problem. Event manager is often overlooked and vastly under estimated. Google any errors it comes up with.

Make sure all your connections are clean, free of dust ans secure.

The Front Panel Connection (FP) can often short so carry out a quick test.. Remove all of the FP connections clean and jump start the PC by using a flat end screw driver by shorting the PWR_SW pins. It should start as normal. If it remains stable then you could have a problem with the FP connectors shorting. Repeat the same process on the Restart pins whilst PC is running. Make sure all your front panel connectors are secure and in place afterwards.