Computer just stopped

[runzwithsizorz]

It was almost as if someone pulled the plug. No restart, reset, no fans,
nothing except a couple of lights on the mobo. Opened up the case, and I have to admit, it's pretty darned dirty. Wouldn't there be some kind of warning if the CPU overheated? Can dirt short a circuit? I'm going to clean it up real good, and see if I can see something. Any chance of recovery?

 

[Deders]

Can you give us a list of all your components? Or the model of your PC if it was prebuilt?

 

[runzwithsizorz]

[FONT=&quot]Graphics card[/FONT][FONT=&quot]:
MSI Radeon HD 7870 Hawk
Mobo:
Asus P8Z77-V Pro LGA 1155
RAM
GSkill Ripjaws 8 gig
CPU
Intel core i5 3570k Ivy Bridge 3.4 Ghz
CPU FAN:
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus
PSU
Seasonic x650w Gol[FONT=&quot]d[/FONT]
Hard drive :
Plextor M5 Pro 256 gb SSD [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] WD BLACK 1 TER
Monitor:
Asus VE 238H
Case:
Cooler Master Haf 922 89
OS:
Win [FONT=&quot]7[/FONT]
Keyboard:
Microsoft Sidewinder x4 36.00[/FONT]

 

[XavierMace]

It's an Intel system so if it was overheating, it should have started throttling rather that killing itself. That said, I HAVE seen a rare case of the throttling not working.

Do the fans start to spin when you press the power button and then stop or not start spinning at all?

Does the motherboard have a LED readout that shows post codes?

Can you identify what lights are on?

Any power surges or anything like that when it died?

 

[Deders]

It can usually be recovered. There isn't usually a warning for temperature based shutdowns.

Could you smell any kind of burning or plastic melting smell? Can you see any bulging capacitors?

Once you have cleared the dust, preferably with canned air to avoid static damaging chips, If it won't start up then unplug the system and remove the battery and leave the computer for about 30 mins before replacing the battery and trying it again.

 

[XavierMace]

There isn't usually a warning for temperature based shutdowns.

That's arguable.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

only lights on are two green lights, which are normally always on...will check and see what they indicate, if anything

 

[Deders]

That's arguable.

Which is why I said usually. I've never seen windows give any warning but like XavierMace says, this chip should throttle when it overheats.

There are other components that can overheat. PSU temperature protection will just switch off if tripped.

 

[Deders]

only lights on are two green lights, which are normally always on...will check and see what they indicate, if anything

Asus usually has a light for CPU, GPU and Memory.

 

[XavierMace]

Which is why I said usually. I've never seen windows give any warning but like XavierMace says, this chip should throttle when it overheats.

No, Windows may not give you warning but if it's overheating, generally your fans are running at full speed trying to cool it and it's pretty rare that the noise from that isn't noticeable.

 

[Deders]

No, Windows may not give you warning but if it's overheating, generally your fans are running at full speed trying to cool it and it's pretty rare that the noise from that isn't noticeable.

Granted but in the case of dust build up it's possible that the noise may increase over a long period of time so it won't be as noticeable. Like when a friend visits and says your pet or baby has grown since they were last there, but you've not noticed because you've been there every day.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

The lights that are on are; standby, AND, onboard voltage monitoring/regulator, (can be turned off with a dip), AND, a CPU overclock voltage regulator, (again, can be turned off). There are other lights that will indicate problems, but only after post.
I can't even turn it on! When I unplugged the PSU, then plugged it back in and tried to start, I saw a quick white flash on the bottom right side of the mobo.
Yikes!, this does not look good. I have a new mobo, and chip waiting in the wings, and the real reason I am posting is that I would like to understand, WTF happened!
I remember forgetting to plug in the HSF on a new build with a cheap mobo 15 years ago, and within a few moments after turning it on, the onboard beeper was sounding. Aren't all mobo's equipped with this now?

 

[Deders]

What area was the flash? any signs of damage?

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Flash where all power connections are (lower right hand side) No sign of damage yet, but checking that now.

 

[Burpo]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Asus-P8Z77-...898689?hash=item25b421b841:g:-IgAAOSwYIhWiEbK

 

[VirtualLarry]

I'd try pulling the RAM, all of it. And have a speaker connected. See if it beeps the "No RAM" beep sequence at you.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

I'm still looking for an answer, but that will take some time...will have to disassemble computer. Bright side is I have a Haswell MB and CPU waiting in the wings.

 

[Ketchup]

Quite a few times I have seen a very similar scenario caused by a dead power supply - lights on the mobo, but "She's Dead Jim." The brand makes it not too likely, but power supplies don't last forever, especially if there is a lost of dust blocking airflow.

First thing you want to check, though, would be the power switch. If it's doesn't have a good click, that could be the issue, and could be a very inexpensive fix.

If the switch is fine, try someone local who sells power supplies. That way you can return it if that's not the cause.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Thanks for all the info...I will look into the PSU.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Thanks for all the info...I will look into the PSU.

It could be, but that is a great PSU. Next guess would be part of the mobo fried, green lights not withstanding. Please let us know what happened when/if you pin it down.

 

[Charlie98]

I just got a PC in this week (a pretty nice Asus) that does the same thing... It's an old socket 775 Pentium, so it's not worth reviving. Thank heaven the HDD is OK.

Powers up, green power light on mobo, CD spins... but no display or OS. It was caked with dust inside....

 

[runzwithsizorz]

It could be, but that is a great PSU. Next guess would be part of the mobo fried, green lights not withstanding. Please let us know what happened when/if you pin it down.

Did not have a salvaged PSU sitting around that had the 24 pin main board connector,(only the old 20 pins). Have a newer Thermaltake 850 installed in a computer I'm working on, and rather than removing it, I put this computer close to it, and only using the Thermaltake's main board connector I was able to fire this one up.
Looks like I'm in the market for a new PSU.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Interesting. Good diagnostic work!

Get a decent-quality 500W or 600W PSU, that should be enough.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Interesting. Good diagnostic work!

Get a decent-quality 500W or 600W PSU, that should be enough.

With a i5-4670 running at 4+gigs, and the monster 3 fan GTX 970,(on the box, it states 500watts minimum), I'm thinking maybe just a little bit more, you know, just to be sure. LOL, don't think it will be another Seasonic though. The Thermaltake 850 was supposed to be for *MY* new build, but In the interest of my safety, and sanity, think I'll just pull it so she can be up, and running SOON. While I await for a new PSU, I can muddle through with whatever POS I have laying around.
Edit, Hmmmm, seems there's a 7 year warranty on our 4 year old Seasonic.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

With a i5-4670 running at 4+gigs, and the monster 3 fan GTX 970,(on the box, it states 500watts minimum), I'm thinking maybe just a little bit more, you know, just to be sure. LOL, don't think it will be another Seasonic though. The Thermaltake 850 was supposed to be for *MY* new build, but In the interest of my safety, and sanity, think I'll just pull it so she can be up, and running SOON. While I await for a new PSU, I can muddle through with whatever POS I have laying around.
Edit, Hmmmm, seems there's a 7 year warranty on our 4 year old Seasonic.

Seasonic is top notch. I would definitely RMA it. I know this one failed on you, but do not let that shy you away from the brand.

And big thanks for posting the solution. It is very helpful to anyone doing a search on the issue. :thumbsup: