PC failing to start up

Donny84

Donny84

Donny84

Associate
Joined
6 Mar 2013
Posts
286
Hi guys. I've been having an issue with my daughters PC.
Started a couple weeks ago where when she goes to turn it on, the lights on the fans etc turn on for a brief second as though its gonna power up but then they just stop and PC stays off.
If i try to power it back up nothing happens at all. If I switch it off by the plug and then try to power it on, it does the same brief power up before going back to nothing.

I originally assumed it was a faulty power supply so I purchased a new one which I installed yesterday, but same issue is occuring. I tried unplugging the GPU and it seemed to power up fine. So I plugged the GPU back in and it powered up fully.
Now im finding that after it's powered off again, I get the same issue and have to unplug the GPU, power up, power off, plug GPU in, power up.
Help please! :(
Specs below.


GPU: Zotac 1080
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz
Mobo: Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3
PSU: Corsair CV650 Bronze - 650W
RAM: Corsair DDR3 16gb (4x4GB)
 
All wires fully connected into slots, none at an angle slightly?
When replacing the PSU did you use the cables it came with or stuck with the old ones?
 
The fact the system was originally stable then started misbehaving a couple of weeks ago indicates something is failing. As you can get it to start with the integrated gpu and have added a new psu suggests a single component is failing intermittently - but which one? The holy grail are the cpu, gpu and memory. As you can boot without the gpu that suggests your daughter's processor is ok. So it's likely either the graphics card or the memory.
Remove three sticks of memory then test them one at a time with memtest to see if any defects show up/ If non then try them a pair at a time and re-test. If still behaving then replace all four sticks and test, test and test again. (As you may gather my money is on one or more sticks of RAM). However if the memory passes all these tests then try another gpu in place of the 1080 and see if that works.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
 
cimurray said:
The fact the system was originally stable then started misbehaving a couple of weeks ago indicates something is failing. As you can get it to start with the integrated gpu and have added a new psu suggests a single component is failing intermittently - but which one? The holy grail are the cpu, gpu and memory. As you can boot without the gpu that suggests your daughter's processor is ok. So it's likely either the graphics card or the memory.
Remove three sticks of memory then test them one at a time with memtest to see if any defects show up/ If non then try them a pair at a time and re-test. If still behaving then replace all four sticks and test, test and test again. (As you may gather my money is on one or more sticks of RAM). However if the memory passes all these tests then try another gpu in place of the 1080 and see if that works.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Click to expand...
I should've said in the original post, but I tried 2 sticks of ram at a time in all combinations. Issue was still present.
Could the GPU really be causing this issue?
I'll try swapping it with mine in the morning.
 
Pick up a packet of batteries
At local poundland
And yes they're correct a bad bios battery
It's not just the time and date go wrong
Like bad ram it can manifest
In all sorts of strange behaviour

Obviously if you have a spare gpu
That would be something you could test too
 
OK so, I've changed the battery, issue still present.
I've swapped the GPU and issue still happening.
I've noticed that it's now started not working when I've got no GPU in at all.
So it seems I'm down to the processor/MOBO. I may as well just get a new mobo, cpu and ram I guess... unless anyone has any other suggestions?
 
Last edited:
Mcnumpty2323 said:
Run memtest?
Get hold of a second hand cpu?

Depends how much time and effort
You want to spend on it
Compared to a few hundred quid
For new mobo,cpu,ram
Click to expand...
I don't really wanna take a gamble on buying another CPU when it could just go to a new setup. Its an old mobo and cpu with ddr3 anyway. I'll just bite the bullet and upgrade I guess.
 
Donny84 said:
I don't really wanna take a gamble on buying another CPU when it could just go to a new setup. Its an old mobo and cpu with ddr3 anyway. I'll just bite the bullet and upgrade I guess.
Click to expand...
To be fair had a good many years use
Out of it
And yeah time and money spent
Buying bits and pieces
And changing this and that
May be not worth it really
 
Given the age of it no it wont be really worth messing about too much, parts for that will likely carry a premium now anyway at this point. The new PSU could just be used to power a new system. Unless you happen to have access to compatible alternatives diagnosing a motherboard or CPU fault on that old gear is going to be quite difficult now relaly and as I say, probably not worth the bother.
 
Last edited:
1) You tried 2 sticks at a time but I would really try 1 stick at a time in each slot (try all ram sticks individually this way).

2) Unplug all unnecessary components (case fans, rgb and drives) and try booting with just the mobo, cpu, ram and gpu.

3) Reseat your CPU and check your socket for bent pins or debris (eg thermal paste can leak in over the sides sometimes).

4) You should also check that your CPU cooler isn't fitted too tight to the socket, I've had similar issue in the past (with an AIO) and loosening it slightly fixed the issue.
 
Hi guys. So a little update.
I managed to find cheap 2nd hand motherboard and CPU of same models.
I have just finished installed them and while the PC is powering up every time... I'm now having a new issue where it loads to the motherboard screen which says "DEL, F9, F12, END" etc.
It just stays on this screen, pressing any of those keys does nothing. I can't load boot menu or bios.
The only thing that does anything from the keyboard is CTRL ALT DELETE to reboot PC. But it just loads back to the same screen.

Have I bought a dud motherboard or is there something I can try? :confused:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom