Blank screen - PSU or RAM problem?

[Ratatoskr]

Hi,

I've been working 5 days and a total of over 20 hours at trying to get my new hardware to work.
I just can't get the new configuration to show anything on my monitor, it's completely blank. The monitor works as I have tested it on my laptop.
I've had the mobo and CPU over to the shop I got it from and they get it to show BIOS. Therefore I now know it's not the CPU or the MoBo.

I am wondering if my PSU (900W) could be the culprit. Can the PSU give power to the MoBo and all the MoBo self tests show everything as OK if the PSU is somehow damaged anyway?

My former computer kind of burnt up. Something around the CPU burnt up giving lots of smoke (no fire) but I can't see any damage on any components of the MoBo. I do see faint dark areas on the CPU though. Since the system is old I decided I'd rather upgrade the MoBo at the same time as the CPU, and that meant RAM too since my old system used DDR2.
So, this burning incident, can it have only partially damaged the PSU so that it still delivers enough power to power the MoBo, fans, power hungry GPU and lots of fans?


All the self tests where OK at every boot up until I cleared the CMOS and after that I get a Boot Device error, ie the LED for that error stays lit. Until today I have had the beep message of one short and one long (can't find any special meaning to that anywhere). Today after updating the BIOS (through BIOS Flashback) I now only receive the one short beep. I still have not seen anything show up on my monitor.


Another thought would be that the memory I got needs to be configured in BIOS to be able to work and that I can't get to BIOS if my RAM modules are not working correctly? shouldn't I be getting the correct beep errors in that case? Shouldn't the modules be adapting to specs that makes it work, like starting up in 1333Mhz instead of 1600Mhz?
I bought the Crucial Ballistix Tactical 2x8GB modules (8x8x8x24) 1.5V
I understand that these modules need to be configured to XMP mode in BIOS to it's full potential but shouldn't the work anyway albeit in less optimal state?

I of course test the system off from the chassi and without any periferals. I'm testing with only the built in graphics processor but have tried with my GFX 550 Ti too. Tested with only one RAM module and in all four slots though it should be placed in A2.


ASUS Sabertooth Z77
Crucial Ballistix Tactical 2x8GB modules (8x8x8x24)
EIZO FlexScan 24" monitor (DVI & VGA) (have tried DisplayPort to both of those)


I hope someone here sees the problem and can tell me what's wrong.

Thank you

 

[blastingcap]

Wtf "burnt up"?? And you are using the same PSU? What is the PSU model number and brand? I'm sorry but using a PSU that was in a burning PC just smells like trouble, no pun intended.

Crucial makes good stuff, it's probably not the RAM which should default to safe values anyway like most RAM. Nevertheless if you think it's the RAM and don't have any spares to test instead, try using one stick of Crucial RAM at a time.... but frankly I suspect it's your PSU. Please tell us it's a high-quality PSU. You're using it with an EIZO for crying out loud! Don't skimp on the PSU!

Edit: I can't be sure due to your phrasing but you said it worked UNTIL you cleared the CMOS? That changes things then if your system was working before you hit the button. In that case, I don't know what to tell ya. Maybe take it to the shop and ask them if you can borrow a PSU and some RAM.

 

[Ratatoskr]

Wtf "burnt up"?? And you are using the same PSU? What is the PSU model number and brand? I'm sorry but using a PSU that was in a burning PC just smells like trouble, no pun intended.

Crucial makes good stuff, it's probably not the RAM which should default to safe values anyway like most RAM. Nevertheless if you think it's the RAM and don't have any spares to test instead, try using one stick of Crucial RAM at a time.... but frankly I suspect it's your PSU. Please tell us it's a high-quality PSU. You're using it with an EIZO for crying out loud! Don't skimp on the PSU!

Edit: I can't be sure due to your phrasing but you said it worked UNTIL you cleared the CMOS? That changes things then if your system was working before you hit the button. In that case, I don't know what to tell ya. Maybe take it to the shop and ask them if you can borrow a PSU and some RAM.

So you're saying that a PSU can still deliver all the power to all the 6 fans, graphics card (needs two power connectors) and mobo and still be corrupt?

Of course I don't cheap out on the PSU. But according to all the documents I've read about PSU's it's not any rocket sciense and they are all more or less the same.
My PSU = Antect 900W Gamers (http://www.antec.com/product.php?id=2588&fid=350)

And no, it didn't work before clearing CMOS, it just didn't give any errors but still did not show anything on my monitor and it never has, before or after.

I'm glad to hear that Crucial is a reputable brand.
I have heard that XMP memory is a problem, or at least a problem on 8GB sticks and won't work until set correctly in BIOS. Anything to that?

 

[blastingcap]

PSUs are not the same. And your voltage regulation may be bad or something else, I don't know. Antec does not make their own PSUs but usually subcontracts them out to a decent builder with decent specifications; that said, PSUs do fail from time to time, and my short list of OEMs I'd buy from are Super Flower and Seasonic, both with strong surge protectors to protect them.

If it does turn out to be a PSU problem, I'd recommend a Rosewill Capstone 450W Gold (or 550W or 650W Gold, if you need it but that is unlikely unless you will have multiple high end graphics processors in your system or are overvolting AND overclocking the absolutely hell out of a single CPU + single GPU system). That line of Capstones is built by Super Flower. The Seasonic X-series is also great but very expensive so I can't really recommend them to people on a budget unless you can patiently wait for a super sale or something.

XMP is not going to be an issue most of the time, because most modern RAM defaults to something low and safe, probably something like 1.5v and 1333MHz. On most mobos you have to go into BIOS and manually set the memory to use XMP.

My guess is that if you are trying to recycle a PSU that was involved in the previous flaming death of a PC, that is probably the source of your problems (and it may have been what killed your previous computer). I'd just recycle the PSU at this point and get a new one.

 

[tweakboy]

I think his motherboard is to blame.

Try the video card on another system to prove my assumption. gl

 

[blastingcap]

I have tweakboy on ignore so I don't know exactly what he said; but whatever he said, take it with a grain of salt.

 

[Ratatoskr]

PSUs are not the same. And your voltage regulation may be bad or something else, I don't know. Antec does not make their own PSUs but usually subcontracts them out to a decent builder with decent specifications; that said, PSUs do fail from time to time, and my short list of OEMs I'd buy from are Super Flower and Seasonic, both with strong surge protectors to protect them.

What I meant is that a PSU is a simple basic construction of mainly transformers and capacitors, an age old construction.
AS with most brand names the product is created by someone else. No surprise Antec doesn't make them themselves. But a brand is what you market and is the most important part of a business, ie smart businesses protect that brand name in that they don't let it get tarnished by selling bad products with their brand on it.

Thanks for the Super Flower tip. I will look into that when I need a new PSU, for sure. Sadly they only seem to have up to 750W here in my country.

If it does turn out to be a PSU problem, I'd recommend a Rosewill Capstone 450W Gold (or 550W or 650W Gold, if you need it but that is unlikely unless you will have multiple high end graphics processors in your system or are overvolting AND overclocking the absolutely hell out of a single CPU + single GPU system). That line of Capstones is built by Super Flower. The Seasonic X-series is also great but very expensive so I can't really recommend them to people on a budget unless you can patiently wait for a super sale or something.

XMP is not going to be an issue most of the time, because most modern RAM defaults to something low and safe, probably something like 1.5v and 1333MHz. On most mobos you have to go into BIOS and manually set the memory to use XMP.

My guess is that if you are trying to recycle a PSU that was involved in the previous flaming death of a PC, that is probably the source of your problems (and it may have been what killed your previous computer). I'd just recycle the PSU at this point and get a new one.

Fortunately electronic products are getting better and better every year at using less power and I'm guessing that I will never need any more than 750W in the future.
My current 900W I think is working after the sounded bang and all the smoke. I will give it a test tonight with my new gear.
I've tested my new gear at my brother using all his parts to find the problem I have. It turns out that the GPU had died at this insident.
Since I have that card, which seems to work since the fans on it run, and the onboard iGPU I could never think that this would be the cause of the problem. If you have to GPU's you expect one to work especially since it's on a new mobo. In any case, none of them worked. So after 25 full hours of troubleshooting I'm now getting a new GPU too.
This has turned out more expensive than buying a top notch gamers computer ready built.
The things that seem to have died on my old computer are the CPU and GPU.

Thanks for helping.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

You said . . . that you'd tested with the iGPU in the processor, and then with a dGPU graphics card?

If you didn't change the BIOS and the graphics card dGPU was already installed, then the Sabertooth Z77 (and other similar ASUS boards) will default to the dGPU. a monitor connection to the I/O panel graphics port will make it look as though the system is failing to post.

 

[Ratatoskr]

You said . . . that you'd tested with the iGPU in the processor, and then with a dGPU graphics card?

If you didn't change the BIOS and the graphics card dGPU was already installed, then the Sabertooth Z77 (and other similar ASUS boards) will default to the dGPU. a monitor connection to the I/O panel graphics port will make it look as though the system is failing to post.

The dGPU had broken down so a new one solved the problem.
The PSU (as did most probably even the mobo too) survived the blast and burn coming from somewhere on the mobo, most probably the CPU and it's connection.

BonzaiDuck,
Are you saying that the mobo (with iGPU) will (or should) post to screen if no dGPU is or has ever been mounted to it?

After having mounted a dGPU the mobo will forever disable the iGPU?

If that's the case then to me that seems like wrong way for BIOS to check and control this process. If one GPU is shut off or unmouted then it should find the other GPU and work through that one. So, if dGPU is mounted then BIOS should post through that one, if BIOS can't find a dGPU then post through iGPU. Switching back and forth should be a simple check done by BIOS.

In any case, I did reset CMOS several times and I never got any post through the iGPU. I was thinking it had to do with that my monitor only has DVI and my mobo only has DisplayPort. I bought a cable that would work but then read somewhere that either the mobo or the monitor has to do some kind of converting for it to work and I then thought that maybe there is no such convertion in either mobo or monitor.

It's unfortunate and a bit sad that no one on other forums or this one had the knowledge you have on iGPU vs dGPU. It would have saved me a lot of money, time, and frustration, if it's as I layed it out (as I understand your post).

 

[bankster55]

its prob those tactical low latebcy 8GB RAMs
shoulda bought the sports - 9-9-9-24 2T
go to store and buy a single stick of DDR3 1066 or 1333, cheapest you can find and try it
2 RAM sticks install goes in the blue slots

Also Z77 UEFI bios vid driver will only support 1024 X 768
If your monitor does not have that res AVAILABLE you will post but not see anything

Onboard graphics do not support DVI-I, only DVI-D
http://i.imgur.com/6hAuj.jpg
Onboard graphics only sees VGA during boot
http://i.imgur.com/PYMnl.jpg


Clearing CMOS messed up your boot order, which you cannot correct until you actually see the bios. I assume you cant see bios - right?

UEFI always defaults to PCIe vidcard (auto setting for graphics in bios)
So to load Intel graphics drivers you need to remove vidcard set IGFX in bios and use vga to vga single link cable for first use. You may even have to boot in safe mode to kill the AMD/Nvidia drivers. Once the Intel drivers are loaded then you are home free to reinstall card and use either with bios option