PC boot issue

theone8181 · 16 Dec 2019 at 19:29

Apologies if this has been answered before, but I couldn't find anything. My wife's mothers laptop has died, so I thought I would be helpful and copy all the photos from her hdd onto a stick. I plugged in the drive to my desktop PC, however the first time I tried to power it up I just got a quick flash of the lights and it shuts off. I've disconnected that drive and still have the same issue. This PC has been working for approx 5 months (Ryzen build) however the psu is approx 8 years old. Is it likely the psu is dead? I'm going to see if the it department where I work can test it for me tomorrow.

Cheers

kully1972 · 16 Dec 2019 at 19:35

Try clearing the cmos first, then reseat memory.
Might just be a bios glitch needing a reset.
Once this is eliminated try taking memory modules out and try booting with one stick.
Sounds like it could be a psu issue but looks like you're getting some sort of initialisation. Could be a short....
Keep us updated!
The problem with pc trouble shooting is you need a few spare parts lying around!

theone8181 · 16 Dec 2019 at 19:41

kully1972 said:
Try clearing the cmos first, then reseat memory.
Might just be a bios glitch needing a reset.
Once this is eliminated try taking memory modules out and try booting with one stick.
Sounds like it could be a psu issue but looks like you're getting some sort of initialisation. Could be a short....
Keep us updated!
The problem with pc trouble shooting is you need a few spare parts lying around!

I know, it could be that I wedged some dust into the Mobo when putting the sata in. Im hoping it's psu, I don't know how long they normally last.

theone8181 · 16 Dec 2019 at 20:24

Cmos made no difference, neither did the memory (I only use one stick). I'm going to take my Mobo in. It's modular (apart from the 24 pin). What cables are needed for testing, do I need any of the sata power cables or the cables? My psu is a bequiet one.

Danny75 · 16 Dec 2019 at 20:33

Does your PC's motherboard have hot plug functionality? If so, enable a SATA port for hot plugging, in the BIOS. Then plug only the power cable into the hard disk you want to recover data from. And prepare a SATA data cable for the hard disk by plugging it into the correct hot plug SATA port on the motherboard. Turn the PC on, and when you're in Windows, attach the other end of the SATA data cable to the hard disk. That often works and gives you access to data on troublesome drives.

Nevermind... you also said your PC no longer starts even without the drive connected. I'll leave the rest of my post up anyway, as it could be helpful once you get your PC running again.

theone8181 · 17 Dec 2019 at 12:53

Managed to borrow a 750w psu from work. Its only got 1 6 pin pcie connector though. Am i right in thinking that it i just power up the motherboard with the 20+4 and the 4 pin cpu ill be ok. This is a ryzen 3700x and msi x570 gaming plus mobo.
Edit; it's also only got 1 x 4 pin CPU not an 8 pin. Will I be OK with just the 4 pin?

theone8181 · 17 Dec 2019 at 19:45

I tried it and it booted up and stayed on. I figure it's hot to be the psu so I've ordered a nice new replacement. Cheers guys.

wazza300 · 17 Dec 2019 at 23:55

Silly question,but did you check the psu plug fuse? Could be a simple blown fuse

kully1972 · 18 Dec 2019 at 05:45

glad youve singled out the cause.
OCuK have a cracking deal on a 650w Seasonic snow silent platinum PSU for 92 quid!

theone8181 · 18 Dec 2019 at 06:24

I went 850 and not from here as I had free next day delivery. I wasn't sure about the fire, but when I gave the psu to the it guy he didn't even suggest it. My new one should come today anyway.