ASUS P8Z77-M PRO switches off within a second of being switched on, then loops

[mikeymikec]

It's not the same board as the one in this thread, in case anyone was wondering :
https://forums.anandtech.com/thread...ter-switch-on-then-comes-on-properly.2552643/

Switch computer on, fans spin up, within a second they lose power. About a second later it repeats endlessly (well, I've never let it go beyond 6 times IIRC).

I've tried:
Disconnecting everything except what is strictly speaking necessary to boot (CPU, RAM, board, power, DVI, and I've tried it without DVI)
Another PSU
Removing RAM
Trying RAM in another socket including the one approved for single module use.
Clear CMOS via jumper
Clear CMOS by battery removal
Another CPU (what the heck, I had one spare) - CPU socket looked OK
Using MemOK button
Using another power switch
Replaced BIOS chip

Probably other stuff too, I can't remember. I've run out of things to try.

The only variation in behaviour was when removing RAM / clearing CMOS - the delay before it switched off was about a second longer.

A bit of history: The computer is a few years old (i3-3225, 4GB DDR3-1333), no problems until this:I saw this computer a few months ago whereby occasionally it would freeze or the screen go black and non-responsive, intermittent issue. As the issue appeared to go away after driver updates (except when running memtest 7.4), I thought that maybe the memtest thing was a quirk related to this board and as it passed other memory-type tests, but the intermittent issue started back up again after a few days of use. It then started to happen more often. It wouldn't necessarily fail under load either.

I suspect this board is faulty. Any other ideas before I get a replacement board for it? As I've had another board of the same model do something similar (but is still in a usable though quirky state), I'm wondering if it's a failing common to this model so I'm thinking of going for the H77 version of this board.

 

[VirtualLarry]

You cleared CMOS and removed the battery, but did you try a fresh CMOS battery? It sounds like it's boot-looping, and a properly-working CMOS battery seems like it would help with that.

But the counter-point would be black screens while operating, after booting. That might indicate that the board itself is simply bad.

I would try putting in a fresh CMOS battery, put on a really low-end GPU (like a GT710/730 or even GT610/620/630), and clear CMOS, and then see if it boots.

 

[mikeymikec]

I did try a graphics card already (8400GS), I'll try a new battery too, thanks.

 

[mikeymikec]

It didn't make any difference unfortunately.

As I haven't had a PC speaker hooked up to this board I might try that, but given how quickly the loop occurs I very much doubt there's time for the board to beep.

 

[legolas_tk]

Usually replacing RAM, and CPU, it still persist, did you replace PSU? If so, it is the board that is the root cause. You might need a new board.

 

[mikeymikec]

Yup, swapped out PSU.

 

[legolas_tk]

Did you swapped the memory as well?

 

[mikeymikec]

Yup, though it should manage to remain on for more than a second without RAM.

 

[mrblotto]

Sounds like only thing left is the board itself

 

[mikeymikec]

I just find it weird that there's a second PC with the same model board with a similar (yet workaroundable) symptom. This one however started giving problems later and died sooner, so perhaps that bodes well for the second system.

 

[Ketchup]

Is this a DIY PC or Brand name unit? Have you taken it out of the case yet? Since it's the same model, maybe there is some type of inherent short in the design (if brand name unit).

 

[legolas_tk]

Agreed, it is time to get a new board or replace the board.

 

[mikeymikec]

Is this a DIY PC or Brand name unit? Have you taken it out of the case yet? Since it's the same model, maybe there is some type of inherent short in the design (if brand name unit).

My builds. Yup, in my last-ditch attempt to get it working, I took the board out the case to replace the BIOS chip.

 

[mikeymikec]

I got a second-hand p8h77-m pro off ebay, all seems well. Windows whinged about it a bit first though wrt activation, but that's sorted. Now for some stability testing.

 

[legolas_tk]

Glad the second motherboard works for you.

 

[BLE373]

New here tracing the Revision thread and found this sub topic.
Same experience with our desktop P8Z77-Z Asus MOBO. Started inconsistently rebooting then more often. Then continuously.
It looped so many times it scrambled the boot sector I think.
Tried everything. It did come back on line after a repair disk boot but then gave up trying. Wound up with a new power supply and a gently used Deluxe. Could have swore that it was PS.
Picked up a used P8Z77-V Deluxe. Booted right up on bench.
Went with a clean install Win 10/64, same I5-3570K and 16GB Corsair.
All went well except the USB 3 transfer speed. Ran DriverBooster. Made it all good.
Love the extra ports. Just added PCIe AsMedia USB 3.1 Gen 2 C board. It cooks outback.
Never figured out what killed the first board. Funny if it was some Revision update.