Help! PC won't post.

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18 Jul 2009
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678
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My PC has died. :(

Half way through a game of Company of Heroes my PC just shut off, no bsod or anything - it just went off. Then when I tried to put it back on, the fans just spun and it didn't post or anything, they just kept spinning!

So, I turned it off, cleared the CMOS and Windows loaded - eventually. I had to go through startup repair first.

Then, after use, I switched it off and had to go through the same process every day for a few days to get it to boot, it was most annoying.

However, it has now completely stopped working. When I push the power button all that happens is the fans spin for a second or so before switching off.

I initially thought it was a PSU problem, but I reckon it's more likely to be a motherboard or CPU problem.

Both are under warranty, so I can RMA them if necessary.

Oh, my spec:

AMD Phenom X4 955 BE (stock)
Asus Crosshair 2 Formula
4 GB OCZ Platinum 6400
2x WD 500 GB hds
XFX 9600GT
Trust 570W PSU

Thanks in advance!
 
Only thing for you to try now is.

Use just one stick of ram in different slots.
use just one harddisk to maybe save the small amount of watts it offers.
if that motherboard has onboard graphics, try that and pull your card out.

But if that psu is a cheap 30quid jobbie then that's where I would cast my eye.
 
Then would did it keep going for a week? There's absolutely no burning smell or burn marks on any of the components and when it went off first time it didn't make any strange noises. I've tried the ram trick, pulled my card out etc - all to the same result.

Will try with my brother's components... if he'll let me!
 
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If spending £xxx on PC parts, there is no point in skimping on the PSU.
That's the thing sending regulated voltage to all of your components.

£60 isn't much to spend on something that in case of a power surge without a UPS/protector can kill numerous components.
Heck, even without surges Qtecs used to go pop. Takng a mobo with it.

From what you've said, it looks to be a mobo problem, but could have been caused by the PSU. Just try swapping out Known good components. Find what works and what doesn't.
 
If the PSU has very poor regulation of the 12V line the fluctuations in voltage will be enough to cause damage to the voltage regulation circuitry in the graphics card and the motherboard over time.

I have seen this happen many times with very cheap PSUs and the stability of the voltages delivered is important.
 
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I have a surge protector, a big, hefty Belkin one.

Swapped out all parts and tried a different PSU - same result. My PSU works fine, so it is definitely the mobo.

Will probably get a new PSU soon though. :D I have had an RMA request approved so I will be getting a replacement within a week...

*hopefully*
 
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