PC not posting

Merlin5 · 25 Apr 2011 at 12:50

Last night, racing game froze on screen momentarily then crashed to windows for the sixteenth time this month. I then went to a website for help. Mouse then froze, artifacts filled screen. I pushed reset and it started to reboot. Columns of weird colours on screen. Then screen went blank.

First thought - graphics card. But I'm not sure. I'm thinking PSU. All fans working, but no post. This is almost exactly what happened in november where the 24 pin connector still powered the mobo but 8 pin didn't power the CPU. I now have to go and buy a PSU to see if it is that.

If so, what could be blowing my CPU 8 pin connector? Some issue with my motherboard? First PSU was 700w Modxstream, and current one is 650w XFX Pro, 5 months old. So they're both good brands.

If however it's the graphics card, would I get any post, or would the mouse have frozen?

RJC · 25 Apr 2011 at 12:55

Usually Artifacts on screen tend to point towards GPU failure, is it possible to test in another machine?

Also check the system ram is possible, ie remove one module just to rule these out.

Merlin5 · 25 Apr 2011 at 14:36

Just tried each ram stick individually in various slots, but no go. I'm going out to buy a cheap psu to test it. If it works, then something must be wrong with my motherboard, since two good quality psu's will have died the same way, via 8 pin connector.

Jonnygrunge · 25 Apr 2011 at 15:00

Try removing the RAM completely should get 3 beeps of 3 error! If not could be PSU, no powergood signal released from PSU, without this switch in detection will not go good (nothings happens when you hit the power button) or it could be corrupt BIOS. One of the first things POST does is check the amount of extended RAM

Merlin5 · 25 Apr 2011 at 15:14

Yep, I did try with no ram in, and there were no beeps. The fans all come on after pressing the power button. Monitor goes into powesaving mode and button light blinks. And the keyboard doesn't illuminate.

Philtor · 25 Apr 2011 at 15:21

RJC is correct. Artifacts on your screen suggest a problem with your GPU. Likely the VRAM so I would swap this out first.

Merlin5 · 25 Apr 2011 at 19:27

Ok, I just bought a PNY GT430 gfx, and an OCZ 600w PSU today. I'm assuming my PC won't post because of PSU or GFX. Current PSU is good quality, 5 months old. Maybe my house power is surging? OTOH, maybe my GFX really died. Which do you think I should try first, PSU or GFX, based on my description in my OP? Would a dead GFX not let the pc post? I can only return and get a refund on whichever is unopened.

Merlin5 · 26 Apr 2011 at 01:27

philtorrens said:
RJC is correct. Artifacts on your screen suggest a problem with your GPU. Likely the VRAM so I would swap this out first.

Yep, you're right guys, my 4870 died. I'm up and running with the GT 430 now. Wish I hadnt opened the PSU first, now I can't get a refund. Wasted £60. Still, it's a backup if I need it. And at least I found out what the problem was, and that my motherboard, psu, cpu and ram are ok.

Kaeo · 26 Apr 2011 at 03:48

Merlin5 said:
Yep, you're right guys, my 4870 died. I'm up and running with the GT 430 now. Wish I hadnt opened the PSU first, now I can't get a refund. Wasted £60. Still, it's a backup if I need it. And at least I found out what the problem was, and that my motherboard, psu, cpu and ram are ok.

Extra PSUs are always handy to have

Glad you got it all sorted out. Woulda definitely tested the gpu in another machine before going and buying a third PSU though :eek: