Computer won't complete boot

[lupi]

Turned on my main pc today and it wouldn't boot up. After about 3 seconds it would turn itself off then turn back on. After this 2nd boot, it would be stuck showing no action with code 10 always shown on the motherboard (asrock z68extreme4). I've pulled the 4 mem sticks and tried several reboot attempts with just a different one in different sockets with no change in performance.


This is the same PC I had to put my backup PSU in about 6 months ago, wonder if somehow it ate up another one?

 

[VirtualLarry]

wonder if somehow it ate up another one?

Could be. What does your mobo manual say about a "Code 10"?

Could it be a video card-related issue? Do you have a dGPU in that box? I forget if Z68 supports integrated graphics, I didn't think that it did.

I would re-seat the video card, and re-seat the PCI-E power connectors, if you haven't already.

 

[lupi]

It does, but I'm not getting far enough in the boot process for it to matter.


0x10 PEI Core is started

 

[lupi]

Only explanation I've found so far was on an asus support site.


code 10 is "PEI core is started" which means Pre EFI initialization. This phase of post is looking for memory then passes on to the DXE environment.

 

[lupi]

Finally had a good PSU deal come across so I bought it. At best the one in this unit is actually still good and I'll have a spare again, at worse it solves my issue.

Now after installing it, PSU doesn't seem to be the problem. Did more troubleshooting (gpu removed, one mem card in different slots, several cmos resets) and the only thing left now is to inspect and reseat the cpu, yeah.

 

[lupi]

In the that's weird category, before taking cpu out did a start test on the desk and she booted fine up until asking for kb&mouse.

Realized I still had battery out, put it back and started again with same result.

There were a couple sizeable dust bunnies between board and backplate, but that would be kinda an extreme result.


Now to drop it back in case and see if it still runs.

 

[RLGL]

Remove all drives add-on cards memory including the video card, try to boot and see what happens

 

[AMDisTheBEST]

I had similar issue on my first pc build. I found out later that I knocked one of the capacitor on my mother board lose.( i was very rough with the scre driver)

I then firmly pressed it back into place. The glue on it was still strong enough to stick it back into position. After that, everything works like a charm. I was so lucky then. Hahaha

 

[lupi]

Remove all drives add-on cards memory including the video card, try to boot and see what happens

Already did that as I mentioned previously, had no changes with board still in the case.

As soon as I had it out of the case and started it, booted fine until it halted at kb&mouse. Put everything back in the case, did a couple trial boots after a few components and it would halt where expected. Now it's all back in and running like nothing happened excepted it got a little more detailed cleaning.About to chalk this one up to the cosmic ray phenomenon as I have no other answer.

 

[lupi]

Had some dejavu. Was setting up my iPod this morning and nothing was happening as I hit the refresh button so decided to reboot the machine. As im starring at a blank monitor shortly after, I think this is just how it started last time.

Turned the case around and saw it stuck at code 32. Pulled the cover off and yanked all the memory out and watched it get stuck at 53. Tried all the sticks in different slots, no joy.

At this point thinking it's a motherboard issue so looks like I'll be spending the weekend looking for something that goes with a 2600k.

 

[Burpo]

I wouldn't spend more than $50..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MSI-H61MU-...398470&hash=item2396ec944c:g:NecAAOSwmFpZucSb

 

[C1]

Hmmmmm ..... because of the seeming variable nature of the error code & the different places in the boot attempt the process stops, you may have a bad solder joint. (The basis to me is that the system responds slightly differently each time after disturbing it mechanically.)

Just for redacted & giggles, use a newt stick (a good chop stick, ie, something that is a non-conductor) will do to apply pressure on the motherboard to flex it (concave) then attempt to boot. Also, repeat while attempting to flex the board upward (convex) and see what happens.

Unfortunately though, boards are multi-layered and a break or intermittent could reside within a layer.

No profanity in the tech forums.

AT Mod Usandthem

 

[lupi]

Wow, did not realize how crazy prices on these things are now.

 

[daveybrat]

Maybe it's time for an upgrade? You can probably still get $100 for that cpu and put that towards a new platform. Most 1155 boards are overpriced because of the scarcity.

 

[lupi]

As of this moment I'm typing on the suspect computer. Final bit of troubleshooting I thought of was since I still have a second 2600k machine running, lets swap RAM and see what happens. On the other machine it did not want to boot with those modules in. On this one, had some trouble with boot manager and then had to select load at a restore point, but using 2 sticks from the other machine and everything is fine, just a bit slower from dropping from 16gb to 8gb of slower modules.

I'll leave things as they are for a couple days and if I come by no other issues, will drop a RMA for the modules.