My baby won't boot!

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Fellow nerds! Slight dilemma. My rig doesn't currently boot, it's stuck in an on/off/on/off loop, of about 2 seconds each, i.e. it doesn't even make it to the bios. Lights & fans come on, then it dies, comes back to life, dies, etc.

Initially thought it was my GPU, so:

1) I pulled it out and I've got DVI running from the motherboard to my monitor. This at least gets me to the bios, although with corrutions on screen.

2) Removed the overclock and set the bios back to defaults. Did a mem test within the bios, which passes. After setting the bios back to defaults, the on screen corruptions disappear, and then allows me to boot into Windows.

3) After a successfull boot, I shut the computer down, plug the GPU back in, and it's as if everything is fixed, I can boot into Windows without issue. Furmark and Prime95 pass, everything was fine for the evening. This (in my head at least) rules out the CPU, GPU, and PSU.

However the next day, I've got the exact same issue. It seems that a cold boot is where it all falls over. Repeating the process works though - temporarily remove the GPU, take the bios back to defaults (even though I haven't changed anything since setting it to default last time), boot into Windows, shut down, replace the GPU. However this is the 3rd day in a row, and I don't fancy doing this every time I turn the computer on.

So why does it happen all over again the next day? Haven't reapplied my overclock at any stage.

I'm suspecting the motherboard. Hopefully something as simple as a new CMOS, however my mouse no longer works in the bios (UEFI), it only moves vertically, which surely can't be a good sign. I'm therefore restricted to using the keyboard. Will try flashing to a new bios tonight if there aren't any other suggestions...

EDIT: if I pick up a new CMOS, is it just a generic one or are they motherboard specific?

Specs in sig.

Thanks :)
 
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Small update - haven't flashed the bios yet as I have a couple raid arrays I want to back up. I figured they would be lost with a flash? Or can I recreate them after updating my bios while retaining the data that's currently stored on them? (raid 0)

Anyways, what I have done instead was try a different PSU. Same results as before.

Although there is a new development now - if I turn the power off at the wall, and then back on again, there's no power light on the motherboard (if that makes sense). Attempting to turn the computer on gives no result at all, completely dead. I have to leave the mains on at the wall for about 15 mins before the light on the motherboard lights up, and then turning the computer on works.

I say it "works", but it's back to the same on/off/on/off loop unless I pull out the GPU and follow the steps above.

Have ordered a new CMOS, will give that a try.

Any bright suggestions? :)
 
Sounds a bit dodgy you have to wait 15 minutes for a mobo light to come on.
Sounds like there's something up with your board to be honest.
Maybe a lame capacitor
 
Yeah, if I have to wait for the motherboard light to come on, and the mouse doesn't work properly in the bios, it would seem to indicate it's the board that's given up. It also keeps complaining on a successful boot that "the overclock has failed", even though I've had everything at defaults for the past week.

If my new CMOS doesn't do anything, I think it's RMA time. Pretty sure I got 2 years of warranty with the board, it's only a year old at the moment.

Am I correct in thinking that my raid 0 array will be lost, even if I get a new identical board?
 
Hi,

Yes most motherboards i know of use a CR2032 which you can pick up nearly everywhere, local watch repair shop etc.

You discount the PSU but just because it works doing certain tasks doesn't mean it won't on others so make sure you PSU is working. You can follow my guide here.

http://www.huddysworld.co.uk/index....rdware/91-hoe-to-check-if-your-psu-is-working


If the PSU looks ok then it could be faulty VRMs on the motherboard.
 
Thanks Huddy, shall have a look at your guide, will read it over lunch when I have a few mins. I had figured my current PSU was fine as the one I tested last night produced the same results, but I suppose you never know.

CR2032 is what I noticed etched on my current CMOS battery, it seems I have ordered the correct one then :)

Thanks for the suggestions, will keep you guys updated.
 
New update - I've made some progress. I installed a new CMOS battery yesterday, which on itself seemed to make no difference, same problems as always.

However, the combination of the new CMOS, plus a different power supply, and everything seems to be running nicely. I've now had several successful cold boots (with the GPU) installed. It's just strange as this new PSU didn't help in my previous tests (old CMOS).

So it seems The Admiral may have been right all along. And Huddy, as per your guide, noticed a few things that were indicating my PSU. The motherboard light sometimes didn't come on, which it now does with the new PSU. Also, I'm unable to jump start my old PSU unless it's been plugged in for about 10 minutes, it seems to need to warm up, which is weird. Anyone come across this before?

The new PSU can be jump started as soon as it has power, which I would assume is normal behaviour.

Will continue to run my rig with this new PSU for a few days. If all is well, then it seems it's time to RMA my old PSU...
 
Right, it seems I am back at square one - was out most of this afternoon, came back and tried to turn on my computer (new PSU, new CMOS). It was back to the on/off/on/off loop without reaching the bios.

After a few reboots, I got into the bios, however most sections were blank, and it looked all strange. Rebooted again, and now I'm finally in Windows.

I'm now thinking that when my original PSU went faulty, it may have damaged my motherboard as well. Bit of a pain if I need to replace both. My motherboard is definitely acting up with the bios being all weird, and the mouse still not working.

Also suspecting my original PSU since I can't jump start it until it's been plugged in for about 10 minutes.

Fun times all round :)
 
I'll get to the bottom of this eventually! Ordered a new motherboard (Gigabyte GA-Z68 X-UD4-B3), and spend tonight getting everything plugged into it, including my new PSU.

Same on/off/on/off loop.

After a few beers I came back and decided to unplug the GPU and see if it would boot. Upon pulling out the DisplayPort cable, I noticed a light went out on my motherboard. Plugged the cable back in, and the light came on.

According to the motherboard it was one of the "phase LEDs" that was lighting up. My PSU was unplugged, so the board was somehow drawing power through the DisplayPort cable??

Anyways, long story short, when I don't have the DisplayPort cable plugged in, the computer boots just fine. When I plug it in, I'm stuck with the on/off/on/off loop.

Anyone seen this before? Any ideas as to what's causing the issue? I think over time it somehow managed to destroy my old PSU and motherboard, as I now can't jumpstart my old PSU (unless I leave it plugged in for a good 15 mins or so), and my old motherboard rarely boots, even without the GPU.

Confused and tired, early bed for me. However at least I now have a working system (when the DisplayPort cable isn't plugged in).
 
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