Help! Computer Died!

FrankDaTank

FrankDaTank

FrankDaTank

Associate
Joined
17 Feb 2010
Posts
236
Location
Newry
Hi guys, I have a 4 month old rig that I built. 16gb ram, 1gb 6770 gfx, decent motherboard and a bulldozer cpu which died on me a few weeks back. I have been trying to sort it out but with no luck.

It turns on for less than a second and then powers down straight away, then it just wont turn on. It takes me pulling out ram and cables and re connecting them and it might turn on again, but only for a second. Fans sound like they are spinning up and then it dies. I have tried unplugging everything, but still the same results.

I am hoping with the communities combined knowledge that someone has run into something similar.

Again, any help is much appreciated, and feel free to ask for more information.
 
How olds your PSU? and what wattage. Sounds like its fried to me. Can you lend one to test?
 
If it's a component thing, the motherboard should beep some code at you (you need to get a case speakers, £1 or something). Or if it has a digital display with some POST code, that'd be even better.

Always best if you can swap components around (PSU, memory, CPU, GPU), obviously that's not always a possibility.

In any case, best to remove non essential components (hard drives, optical drives, graphics card if your motherboard / CPU has some integrated graphics capabilities), try sticks of ram one at a time, cleck the PSU connections, check if the CPU cooler is seated properly, check if you have bent pins on the CPU...
 
I'm assuming you've tried resetting the CMOS jumper? If not that's the first thing to try. And obviously if you're running an overclocked setup, run it at stock for a bit.

Then test each stick of ram by itself. If that doesn't highlight any issues then it's going to be either the CPU. Motherboard or PSU. Providing the ram is ok I'm going to stick my neck out and say power supply. To test a power supply, disconnect everything apart from a fan (so there is a load) then short out any green and black wire on the 24pin ATX connector. If the fan spins up and stays on then, in all probability, the power supply is fine.

Other than that it's a case of swapping out the CPU for one that you know works. A pain in the backside if you don't know someone willing to let you at their machine.

But like I said, if the ram is fine I reckon it'll be the power supply.
 
Cheers for the quick replies. It is a 550w PSU, 4 months old. I am getting a lend of one to test in a week or so, but the fact it is powering up at at all swayed me away from it being a power supply problem, I'm probably wrong though. I have tried the jumper reset, and disconnecting everything bar the motherboard etc. How do I short out the ATX connector. Maybe I will wait, don't want to blow myself up.
 
FrankDaTank said:
How do I short out the ATX connector. Maybe I will wait, don't want to blow myself up.
Click to expand...

Get a piece of insulated wire about 2-3 inches long. Strip off the insulation from both ends but leave the middle insulated. Insert one end into the 24pin ATX connector where any green wire enters and the other end into any connector where a black wire enters. Perfectly safe and have done this lots to test power supplies.
 
PapaLazaru said:
What's the betting the OP has skimped on the PSU which has probably (but hopefully not), fried itself with most of the other compnents.
Click to expand...

Thats what I am thinking :/
Unfortunately I dont have any money to bet and we are both betting on the same side :D
 
Hi the PSU is: Lepa W-Series 500W '80 Plus' Power Supply
Cheers for the explanation ExRay. As far as the bios goes it has not been updated. What do you mean about "the OP has skimped on the PSU"? Cheers!
 
FrankDaTank said:
Hi the PSU is: Lepa W-Series 500W '80 Plus' Power Supply
Cheers for the explanation ExRay. As far as the bios goes it has not been updated. What do you mean about "the OP has skimped on the PSU"? Cheers!
Click to expand...

What he means is that loads of people spend loads of money on great components and then supply them with a cheep PSU and then wonder why if there is a problem with the PSU it ruins some or all of those lovely components

Hopefully this isnt the case with your system
 
Sorry for the late reply. I just though that I would let you know that I got the problem sorted. I replaced the Power supply with an identical one from my mates machine and it booted up fine. I have it RMA'd and should be back with me soon!
 
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