PC won't post

Straz · 14 Sep 2011 at 12:17

Hey all,

Shut down my PC after a session on WoW the other night, only to wake up and it not boot.

Here is what happens, I turn it on and the lights and fans start but nothing else, no HDD activity or display to the monitor.

So far I have:

Re-seated and basically rebuilt the thing twice

Tried another GFX card

Tried other RAM

Took out any unnecessary hardware to keep things to a minimum

Took out any extra connectors (thought the 4 pin CPU connector might be at fault- but no luck!)

Seems like a CPU problem to me, it does run hot but never had a problem with it after 3 years of high usage.

Also, I mislaid my BIOS speaker when building

Anything obvious that I have missed?

chigley · 14 Sep 2011 at 12:21

Do you have another PSU you could try?
Seems like the only thing you've not considered!

mp260767 · 14 Sep 2011 at 12:55

short of testing another processor /mobo/psu think you've done all you can.

prior to losing the speaker did you try running with no memory/no cpu to see if it recognised they were missing ?

honosuseri · 14 Sep 2011 at 14:51

I would lean more towards the mobo now. You didn't put clearing the CMOS in your list of tried fixes though

Certainly worth testing the PSU. QUick bit of googling will find you the pinouts for the connectors. I believe it's pin 14 &15 you short to act as a constant on "switch". You could use a multimeter to test the voltages or a simpler method is to swap it out for a spare or known good psu.

Admiral Huddy · 14 Sep 2011 at 16:30

I would certainly check your is your PSU is functioning as expected. Use my guide here:
http://www.huddysworld.co.uk/index....rking&catid=40:techie-talk-hardware&Itemid=72

Look at the jump-start trick and checking the voltages.

I would also invest in an internal speaker. They're a few quid and available on the high street. I could be indicating your problem without you knowing.

Cross reference with www.bioscentral.com

Straz · 14 Sep 2011 at 22:51

Thanks for all the advice. I forgot to add that clearing the CMOS was the first thing I did

Either way I have ordered a new PSU:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-032-OC&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1098

My logic was that even if it isn't the problem I'll need it for my new build I have planned when my student loan comes through!

Will update when It arrives on Friday

Gundog48 · 14 Sep 2011 at 23:32

Sounds like a motherboad issue to me- CPUs are very hard to kill!

Straz · 14 Sep 2011 at 23:54

Gundog48 said:
Sounds like a motherboad issue to me- CPUs are very hard to kill!

Indeed, I've put mine through hell and back and it's always been fine. Just hope it's not a mobo issue :/

Straz · 16 Sep 2011 at 15:34

Seems it was the PSU after all! Whacked the new PSU in and worked without a problem.

logi-cat · 16 Sep 2011 at 15:36

what PSU was you using?

Straz · 16 Sep 2011 at 18:24

OCZ StealthXStream 600w - But I've had it for over 3 years without a problem, which to me isn't bad considering I had about a year of 24/7 always on.

Wizzfizz · 16 Sep 2011 at 18:31

Straz said:
OCZ StealthXStream 600w - But I've had it for over 3 years without a problem, which to me isn't bad considering I had about a year of 24/7 always on.

My Enermax 550w PSU only went pop last month after 10 years of pretty much 24/7 usage, bought in 2001. It was actually used for 3 different builds, and the only reason I think it went pop was because I was cleaning the carpets in the house and I left the kettle lead to the PSU on the carpet after so it must have got wet, when I plugged it in it went pop. They don't make them like they use to

Straz · 19 Sep 2011 at 23:53

Not sure if I regret getting the PSU now - I'm not too great with knowing the ins and outs of a PSU but from what I've read you don't want it under volting? Running at 11.5-11.6 idle/load on 12v rail, and 4.9 on the 5v rail. Considering this is new and from a reputable company would I be entitled to RMA or will I just have to stick with it? Or is it completely fine?