How do find the faulty component - machine cannot start up?

[vergnaud]

Out of desperation I have decided to post in every single section of this forum, with a bit of luck either someone will have some information OR overclockers will bother replying to my messages or phone calls.

I bought the system (all built by Overclockers) in July last year. The system has been working perfectly until few weeks ago when suddenly, for no reason (no software upgrade, no hardware upgrade, no moving of the box) the system purely and simply hanged and never came back.

So actually what is happening:
1) turn ON
2) electricity seems to reach all components, the 3 fans starts, the POST indication 0.1, then 8.3 and get stuck at 9.9

then

3) less than 5 secondes after that everything shut down (all fans stops) and the machine tries to start again (POST restart at 8.3 etc.)
4) The system will continue looping for ever unless I turn OFF the complete power.
*** nothing ever appear on screen as there is not sufficient time for the power to start any components ***

-----
What did I do to check/test?

1) remove the memory one by one and do the test again, try them all independently (in case one was faulty), but none of that changes anything. Actually even without any RAM, the system does the same thing!

2) checked every single connection of every component. No change

3) unplug some of the components to test (hard disk first, no change, graphic card, no change etc.)

4) CMOS reset (change the jumpers back and forth). That's where it is more interesting:
if in position 2-3: then same problem
if in position 1-2: as expected message CC (CMOS clear) so need to change the jumpers back to try starting
if no jumper at all: then all fans etc. starts but nothing is displayed on screen and nothing much more than fans running seems to happen

...
I have tried to raise RMA (never any response)
I have tried to call the various numbers and manage to talk to one non technical asking me to call the technical! and get a RMA before sending back anything...

I really don't know what to do, I cannot confirm which component is faulty but there is certainly one.

PLEASE HELP!!!!

Even if I need to pay to get that fixed by Overclockers I am ok, as long as that WORKS again!

Please transmit to their team if you have better luck than me.
Regards
Raphael

 

[vergnaud]

Hi Gents, I realized that could have been perceived as spam but well, when you have exhausted all option what do you do?

Even if the box is under warranty I have been told not to send the machine without RMA that I could not get...

And for those who read in details, I did try all possible combination, I even lastly replaced the CMOS battery but same symptoms. I read the manual from A to Z, got the POST stopped on every values!

If I reset CMOS, I manage to boot and get the system to run normally. If I stop the machine, I am back to the same situation, double beep at boot, nothing displayed on screen or worth loop trying to boot

Anyway, thanks for the understanding one in the thread; I got Don on an other forum that propose to help in the end and allow me to send the box back...
Hopefully I can get it send back asap

note 1: I will not comment back on the useless comments, as indeed, this is further irrating

note 2: for the first time I manage to get support getting back to me so I guess that worked, I got the attention I was looking for

note 3: I don't believe I abused anyone in language or question and 5 posts does not sound like spam to especially since I don't the cause of the problem and need to pick a forum so if you guys have sent 6,000 post to complains about other, you may want to look at who's spamming or who's actually contributing in a useful way to the forum.

Cheers