Blown PSU or something worse?

JMFD · 3 Jun 2015 at 11:36

I've looked at the general troubleshooting thread, and seem to fall between a few categories with what to start checking.

PC suddenly shut off, refuses to start up, no response at all to pressing on switch, and usb peripherals aren't lighting up.

But, when plugged in, there's a light on the motherboard, but no fans spin. PC's a build from here, in 2013, so wasn't expecting any issues this soon! (It is, naturally, 2 months out of warranty)

Any advice as to where to start?

Hagar · 3 Jun 2015 at 11:58

What build is it?
What are the major components? CPU, heatsink, motherboard, PSU, GFX.
Any recent hardware changes?
Any recent software changes?

Try resetting the CMOS manually.

good luck, andy.

JMFD · 3 Jun 2015 at 12:10

CPU: Intel Core i5 3570k Ivybridge
Heatsink: Corsair H60 Water Cooler CPU Cooler
Mobo: Asus P8Z77-V LX2
PSU: Corsair GS600
GPX: MSI HD 7850 OC 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express

No recent changes. Fans put themselves onto "Jumbo jet" just prior to it stopping though.

Danny75 · 3 Jun 2015 at 12:25

JMFD said:
No recent changes. Fans put themselves onto "Jumbo jet" just prior to it stopping though.

Are the fans that went full jumbo connected to the mobo or direct to PSU?

Hagar · 3 Jun 2015 at 12:38

Outside chance it is the mobo. Try the Cmos reset.

It may be cooling. Do you have the stock cooler to try?

I would still try messaging 5UB or another mod, see if you can get warranty help.

JMFD · 3 Jun 2015 at 12:38

Danny -
I can't be certain, I didn't wire it myself, and it's a little odd; there's a dial on the front of the case for fan speed, which usually controls the main fan. It didn't have any effect at the time though. Only 3 fans in the rig (PSU, main one attached to water cooler, and GPU). I think it was the main one that went on full, as it makes the largest noise.

nkata -
Trying now. Don't have another cooler to try I'm afraid.

Danny75 · 3 Jun 2015 at 13:36

JMFD said:
nkata -
Trying now. Don't have another cooler to try I'm afraid.

There is something else you could try - leave the H60 mounted but unplug its fan cable and pump cable from their respective headers on the motherboard, and plug in any other 3/4-pin fan (doesn't have to be one mounted in the case, just one you hold in your hand while testing) into the CPU_FAN header. See if it starts up, but switch it off after not more than 1 minute as the water temp will obviously keep increasing without its fan/pump.

If it still doesn't start up then it's probably the mobo, as the symptom of the fans ramping up before the shut off seems to indicate some PWM failure (at least). Although there might be another explanation I'm not aware of. However, given the mobo at least displays a light, it's worth checking that the problem isn't the H60. If the mobo doesn't recognize that there is a CPU cooler installed, then it won't fully start up. In that case you could contact Corsair for a replacement as it should still be in warranty. Can do the same with the Asus board actually if it turns out to be that. Or ask someone in Customer Services if they can please help you out, as nkata suggested.

JMFD · 3 Jun 2015 at 14:08

Thanks for your detailed analysis.

I uplugged the fan and pump and got an odd response. The fan plugged into the CPU_FAN header lit up, but didn't turn, and the PC didn't boot. (I've now replugged everything in)

I've dropped CS a line to see if they can help.

JMFD · 4 Jun 2015 at 17:16

No luck with CS, just saying to try known good components, which isn't an easy possibility (dismantling my work PC doesn't sound like a good idea).

Any other suggestions before I resort to finding a PC repairs place?

Danny75 · 5 Jun 2015 at 18:04

JMFD said:
No luck with CS, just saying to try known good components, which isn't an easy possibility (dismantling my work PC doesn't sound like a good idea).

Any other suggestions before I resort to finding a PC repairs place?

You could do a little more "debugging" before deciding on your next step, if you like.

Unplug anything that isn't necessary to enter BIOS, i.e. only plug pertinent PSU cables (24-pin ATX and 4-pin or 4+4pin EPS usually) into motherboard with just one stick of RAM, and unplug all drives, fans (except the cooler), video card (use mobo onboard display), USB's, case power/reset/audio cables. Other than that - just have keyboard in.

Then, if your motherboard has a physical Power button, use that, otherwise read up on how to short the Power connectors and start it up.

Would probably be a good idea to drain all residual power from the rig first. Normally you do that by holding the Power button down for a while with the PSU turned off. Not sure if there's a better way (to eliminate the possibility of faulty case Power switch/cables).