Computer Shut Down & Now Won't Post

alex781021

Member
Aug 3, 2010
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0
I was watching a movie last night on VLC and my computer suddenly shut down. When I tried turning it back on it didn't POST. It turns and will remain on indefinitely unless I turn it off myself, doesn't seem like the PSU.

Setup
- E8400 (Lapped)
- Thermalright Ultra 120 (Lapped)
- 2x G-Skill 4GB DDR2 1000 F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ
- Gigabyte GA-P35 DS3L
- XFX 250 GTS
- PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104152

What I've done
- Removed both sticks of ram and tried them individually, nothing
- Removed the sound card, nothing
- Removed the video card and tried a 6800GT, nothing
- Cleared CMOS settings and removed the motherboard battery, nothing
- Checked all components over visually, nothing

This is what I did notice though...
- The 120mm Scythe fan on the Ultra 120 is not spinning when I turn the computer on when it's directly connected to the Motherboard. The fan does spin when directly connected to the PSU and not the Motherboard, hmm!
- No beeps from the motherboard

Conclusion at the moment is the motherboard or possibly the CPU. It could be the PSU but it seems unlikely at this point.
 
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Atheus

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2005
7,313
2
0
Something like this happened to me once, except I didn't see it happen, I just found it like that after going out for a bit. I eventually replaced most of my components...

My final conclusion (although I still don't know for sure) is the PSU went out with a bang while I wasn't around and took half the system with it. It was a nice PSU too - Corsair - just as nice as your OCZ I reckon. The mobo is definately gone, and the RAM is definately gone as I tried it in a different system, but the interesting thing is the PSU will still power a fan with the green-wire trick and no mobo. Weird huh.

Here's what you should do - instead of trying new components in your machine, try your components, starting with the RAM, in another machine. Look for things which have survived rather than things which have died. You might be blowing good parts by plugging them into a bad PSU if you do things the other way round... if you see what I mean...

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

/edit: spelling
 
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wanderer27

Platinum Member
Aug 6, 2005
2,173
15
81
Yeah, I had a nice Enermax PSU go out on me a couple years back.

Took the MB with it, but nothing else.
 

Stern

Senior member
Sep 3, 2004
625
0
86
I'm afraid this is what may have happened with my gf's computer. The PSU fan on it has been ticking a bit for a few weeks and today when we got back home we turned it on and all the fans start spinning and the HDD's spin up but no POST.

Motherboard is a A8N32-SLI Deluxe. I've tried a different power supply and no joy.

The power supply in it was a Corsair HX520W.
 

alex781021

Member
Aug 3, 2010
38
0
0
Replace the PSU because I'm asking for another disaster? It fully powers everything when I start it up just no POST like I said. Going to replace the MoBo because it's clearly done if it won't post or give power to any motherboard connected fans.
 

daniel49

Diamond Member
Jan 8, 2005
4,814
0
71
Here's what you should do - instead of trying new components in your machine, try your components, starting with the RAM, in another machine. Look for things which have survived rather than things which have died. You might be blowing good parts by plugging them into a bad PSU if you do things the other way round... if you see what I mean...

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

/edit: spelling[/QUOTE]



done that before:) I lean towards a new MB myeslf.
 

The Merg

Golden Member
Feb 25, 2009
1,210
34
91
In your case, it is most likely the PSU that has caused the problem. As others have stated, it is possible that other components have been damaged as well. If you have a spare PSU, hook it up and see if the computer posts. If it doesn't, there's a good chance the motherboard is gone as well.

- Merg
 

Maverick6969

Member
Feb 10, 2010
154
0
71
Ended up getting a new PSU and Motherboard .... argh ... still silent, CPU then...?

Before you posted this, I would have guessed a faulty PSU or MB. CPUs rarely ever go bad. (emphasis on the word "rarely"). In your case, if you've already swapped out the two most likely culprits, I'd say the CPU is the next most likely component.
 

alex781021

Member
Aug 3, 2010
38
0
0
Why I'm leaning towards the CPU...
- It was OC'ed up to 4ghz with a fair amount of voltage (over 1.4) applied during some hot summer days which caused it to run around 66c+ when Prime95 hammered it
- The CPU was used, not sure about the prior history.
- I did lap it to push the OC
- Lastly, I replaced the Motherboard and PSU to no avail
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,313
14,720
146
Damn...troubleshooting by replacing parts is the expensive way to do it.

If you have friends who have compatible computers, try your parts in their rigs. It's a helluva lot cheaper...otherwise, you're just buying parts you may not need, in which case, you might as well just buy current components and get a nice upgrade.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,313
14,720
146
Yeah unfortunely I'm not in the posistion for a friend to lend a motherboard, CPU, or PSU.

Will any of your friends let you put your hardware into their computers? (geez...that sounds dirty) :p

Testing your CPU, PSU, or video card on another machine is an easy way to verify that piece of hardware.

Otherwise, if you're going to have to buy new Mobo, CPU, and PSU, why not also get new RAM and have a new updated computer? Newegg offers some VERY good combo deals...time for a new i5-760 set-up, or, (if you can wait for January, a new i5-2500K set-up)
 

power_hour

Senior member
Oct 16, 2010
779
1
0
I would have thought for sure the m/b (most common failure point IMHO) but given that the cpu is used and overclocked, I think you found your smoking gun ;p

Here is a cheap way to check it. Take it with you to a computer upgrade shop. Tell them you want to buy a new m/b for it but need to confirm if it works first. Most places will plug it into a bench board for you if you ask real nice and give them a sob story. If it confirms dead, be a nice guy and buy something from them for their troubles. Good karma for the next time.

cheers,
 

alex781021

Member
Aug 3, 2010
38
0
0
Ended up reseating everything with the replaced PSU and motherboard and all is well now! So it wasn't the CPU after all. Motherboard is definitely dead and probably a crazy PSU that is headed to the junk pile.

Thanks for all your help folks