Pc won't boot after reapplying cpu thermal compound.

Fledge · 16 Apr 2011 at 17:56

As pre-applied thermal compound is never fantastic, today I decided it was time to remove it and put some MX-4 on it myself.
This went completely to plan, I did it all by the book and everything went fine. this was until I tried to boot afterwards.

Cast your eyes over this: http://i.neoseeker.com/neo_image/170048/article/asus_maximus_formula/qled.jpg

This is part of my (well, not mine) Maximus III Formula mobo. When the pc starts up, the LEDs should light up when they are being used or being checked or... something along those lines. When I try, the CPU led flashes and then the DRAM led stays on for a few seconds, then the cpu led flashes again just as the pc turns itself off. Then it turns itself on again and cycles like this.

Half an hour later, the DRAM led doesn't light up at all.

I have no idea what could have gone wrong, any help is appreciated !

Thanks all, Fledge.

Fledge · 16 Apr 2011 at 18:08

I checked the CPU and it's socket and everything looks fine : /
The connections have been triple-checked but maybe there's one somewhere I'm still missing...

I've also tried using the clear CMOS button and even removing the mobo battery. No toffee.

Fledge · 16 Apr 2011 at 18:44

Okay I just unplugged and replugged EVERYTHING except the CPU. Twice.

What the hell did I do?

Fledge · 17 Apr 2011 at 14:57

Okay so now I've taken everything out of the case except the PSU and mobo -- although that's coming out in a minute as well.

Here are pics of the CPU socket and CPU:

...and as I know you lot love pics, here's another one of the 'project':

...yeah I'm doing this on the floor

Gonna try a skeleton setup now.

Fledge · 17 Apr 2011 at 16:12

cerbrus2 said:
Hmmmm lots of nice static build up on carpets.

Yeah it's not ideal but it's the only place large enough in my house to use at the moment : /

Fledge · 17 Apr 2011 at 16:40

Baldbloke said:
It's possible that something may have gotten static damaged from last time it was built

Every other time I've been working on this PC it's been pretty well protected from static so I don't think it was previous damage.

Also, the skeleton build still failed

Fledge · 17 Apr 2011 at 17:00

spleenharvester said:
Tried jumping the case switch?

What exactly would that entail doing?

For the record, I've been using the power switch on the mobo itself.

Fledge · 17 Apr 2011 at 20:27

VaderDSL said:
Is that photo of the full system after you replaced the TIM? if so looks like you've used way too much.

No, that pic was taken after removing the cooler.

Surveyor said:
Is that a shadow or can you actually see it on the CPU?

That's just a shadow

Currently I've got half a mind to take it to pizzy world and see what they can do there : /

Thanks Plec I'll give that a go later or tomorrow

Fledge · 17 Apr 2011 at 20:45

Plec said:
No problem - hope you find a solution.

Did you try alternating the memory in the skelton setup - i.e. tried one stick and then the other?

Also could you just confirm that you only had the cpu, HS, 1 stick of memory and gfx connected (plus mininum PSU connections) when you tried the skeleton setup? (and that it was all outside of the case - just need to check as people have differing ideas of a skeleton setup.)

Yeah I tried all memory combinations with the two sticks.
For the skeleton setup I had it all outside the case using only the cpu (+cooler) and ram - but it still failed : /

Fledge · 18 Apr 2011 at 11:25

There is a small snag with that plan - I don't have a multi-meter or any spare wiring.

Can't ocuk send a repair man that doesn't charge extortionate prices or something? :s

Fledge · 18 Apr 2011 at 20:54

Plec said:
Are you able to beg, borrow or steal any other memory or gfx card card to test in the rig?

I couldn't really get my hands on any more memory but I could get another graphics card - although I don't believe that's what's causing the problem as it still happened when I had either of those components removed.

Fledge · 18 Apr 2011 at 22:18

Blue160 said:
When you stripped it down to clean the thermal compound did you wait till the power LED on the board went out before starting work?

I'm almost definitely sure I waited for all signs of life to go before touching anything; it's what I usually do so I don't see why I wouldn't

Fledge · 19 Apr 2011 at 16:14

spleenharvester said:
What's this stuff, particularly the one with the arrow next to it

Oh crap.

I have no idea :S

Does it look fatal?

Fledge · 19 Apr 2011 at 16:55

I use MX-4 so it's non-conductive.

I have got some thermal compound remover so should I try that on any marks on the board?

Fledge · 20 Apr 2011 at 10:42

Baldbloke said:
Fledge,
Out of interest, did you try the 30 minute or longer cmos clear?
What about a multimeter for psu voltages?

Yeah I tried a 1h30mins cmos clear

I might be able to get my hands on a multimeter later so it's possible I could try that later.

I want to attach the mobo speaker but I don't think this board (Asus Maximus III Formula) actaully came with one so I have no way of telling what beeps may or may not be happening : /

I've checked through the mobo manual and all over the internets but I can't seem to find a scrap of information regarding the CPU LED >.<

Fledge · 21 Apr 2011 at 11:41

Okay I've got myself a multimeter and some wiring so I can do the rudimentary PSU tests.

Multimeter Tests:
5v = Fine
12v = ~9% over 12. (that's more than 5%)
ATX = Over the 5% deviation - usually (all the black cables tested) I was getting about 3.5-3.62.

How does that sound?

Okay **** this it's RETURN MERCHANDISE AUTHORISATION time.