help fault finding

labrat

labrat

labrat

Associate
Joined
13 Jul 2006
Posts
85
Location
Grampian Highlands
Hi all

My computer has suddenly stopped working. Haven't changed or fiddled with anything for months.

Hiper HPU-4K580-MK Type R 580W Modular ATX2.2 PSU
Core 2 Duo E6600 S775 2.4GHz running at 3.2GHz
GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit
Arctic cooling Freezer7Pro
GF 7600GT 256MB DDR3 PCI-E
GIGABYTE 965P-DS3 rev 1

When I hit the power button all the case fans light up and start rotating but nothing happens after that. I think the power supply is OK but I will try my spare PSU later today just in case [EDIT: tried spare PSU (Antec) and still same problem]. I can't see a BIOS startup screen because the monitor doesn't even come out of standby mode (graphics card? Monitor works fine with another computer). There is an initial, normal noise from the hard disk as it starts up but after that it is silent and there is not the usual noise associated with the OS booting. The fan on my CPU heatsink splutters a little but does not start rotating. I swapped the fan (4-pin) on the freezer7Pro with the fan (3-pin) from a AC64 and the fan worked fine - so power is going to the fan but assume the motherboard via the fourth pin and the BIOS is stopping the fan from starting. I tried clearing the CMOS by bridging the jumper pins but that didn't change anything. [EDIT: also removed battery - no change]

I don't have a spare CPU to check if that is problem. I'm thinking that it is probably the motherboard that has given up.

Please can someone give me their opinion and any tips and tricks to better nail down the problem.

cheers
 
Last edited:
Yeah defo try your'e spare psu but if it was truly dead it wouldn't spin the fans. Could be on its last legs though! Hiper eh..

If it was me i'd first try the usual re-seat the GFX card (take out and put back) and same with the ram. Just pushing them back in doesn't do much, you'd be surprised how many pc's i've fixed just re-seating those 2 things.. And they never look like they've come out even one millimeter. And then the usual boot with one stick of ram, then the other. Got a spare ide/sata lead? Might be worth a shot, also hdd power lead try another.
Highly unlikely to be mobo, good luck anyway dude let us know if psu resolves it ;)

Edit.. Can't spell
 
Last edited:
Tried spare PSU and no change.

will try reseating RAM and GFX.

[edited first post]

cheers
 
Unplug everything thats unnecessary such as DVD drive, extra fans, an extra HDD and try single RAM modules.
 
Already unplugged DVD drive, extra fans and only 1 hard disk to begin with.

I removed and re-seated the GFX card - no change
I removed and reseated the RAM - no change
tried one RAM module - no change
tried the other RAM module on its own - no change

I think it is either the motherboard, CPU or GFX card. Unfortunately I don't have a spare CPU. I think I can swap out the GFX card for one from my other computer.

If that doesn't work I'll probably punt for a new motherboard (GA-P35-DS3L or GA-EP35-DS3 perhaps) - at least it will give me more upgrade options and if it's the CPU that is fried then at least I can upgrade the CPU and keep the old motherboard in reserve.

cheers
 
Last edited:
swapped over the GFX card from my other computer resulted in no change.

So it is the CPU or the motherboard. But I've got no way to test it.

So I'll punt for a new motherboard.

Any opinions concerning the difference between GA-P35-DS3L and the GA-EP35-DS3?

cheers
 
sanofi said:
Does your motherboard light up at all during the split second the fans spin up?
Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean by light up. As I said all the fans except the CPU one turn on and remain on. I can't see any POST screen because the computer fails to bring the monitor out of standby mode.
 
labrat said:
Not sure what you mean by light up. As I said all the fans except the CPU one turn on and remain on. I can't see any POST screen because the computer fails to bring the monitor out of standby mode.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about your motherboard but on previous ones I have owned there is a light of some sort often accompanied by a pair of LED numbers displaying post codes.
 
I've got a very similar problem, at least the symptoms are exactly the same. "Fans spin but no ones home" mine works normally though with one stick of RAM in.

Bare bones, tried different PSU's and different RAM, 2GB stick or 1GB sticks still the same problem, just one stick though and it works, even upgraded from an old E2160 to E8400 cpu. Pretty sure it's my mobo, Gigabyte P35 DS3R. Just because that's the only thing that I haven't tried swapping yet.

Annoying that there are no error beeps to help diagnose it really.

Strange problem that a few people seem to have been suffering lately.
 
Last edited:
mart981 said:
I've got a very similar problem, at least the symptoms are exactly the same. "Fans spin but no ones home" mine works normally though with one stick of RAM in.

Bare bones, tried different PSU's and different RAM, 2GB stick or 1GB sticks still the same problem, just one stick though and it works, even upgraded from an old E2160 to E8400 cpu. Pretty sure it's my mobo, Gigabyte P35 DS3R. Just because that's the only thing that I haven't tried swapping yet.

Annoying that there are no error beeps to help diagnose it really.
Click to expand...

check the voltage settings for your RAM in the BIOS. Could be set at 1.8 or 1.9V but might need to be put up to 2.2 or 2.3V to work correctly.
 
Last edited:
So, I got a new motherboard. Installed everything and nada, nothing, zip. The system just keeps power cycling. Goes on a for few seconds then off. I tried again my spare PSU and the exact same thing happened.

So it must be the CPU that has gone.

Anyone recommend a good overclocker to replace my E6600?

cheers
 
Its very rare that the cpu will be at fault.

I think theres something you're missing here, did you try resetting the cmos and using just one stick of ram, try making sure power/reset jumpers are right way around.

Even try building outside the case.
 
done all that.

If it isn't the CPU then the only thing left would be that both my RAM modules have died at exactly the same time.

cheers
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom