GPU/MB power up issue

[Elfalora]

My computer has been having GPU related issue for more than half a year. The symptoms ranged from black screen, blue screen, unable to wake up to beeps during boot up. However, reseating the video card usually solved the problem. Not surprisingly, the problems appeared more and more frequently but I was determined to drag it out till the summer new GPU releases.

Unfortunately, my computer finally laughed at my attempts yesterday. After I reseat it, it BS’d again so I did another reseat. This time, it refused to boot but there were no beeps like it used to. The computer seemed to power up, but the lights went off shortly after, then it tried to power up again. The lights stayed on and the fans on both CPU and CPU kept spinning but there was no single booting beep or 4 beeps for GPU failure and, of course, no video. After messing around a bit, I decided to take out the GPU and yes, the same power up/down/up pattern remained. I’m not sure if it’s my MB (ASUS P8P67 PRO) going bad or I did something wrong somewhere.

So, now, what would you guys suggest I try? Or should I just upgrade my computer? It’s been 5 yrs so it wouldn’t be a bad idea. My plan was to upgrade the whole thing including my 280 with it this summer or maybe even wait for the new memory. What should my upgrade path be now if I need to replace my MB?

 

[LTC8K6]

Could be the power supply?

 

[Elfalora]

I guess it’s possible but I don’t have extra power supply to test this out. It’s a Corsair HX750 which should have more than enough W to power things up, especially after I took out the GPU. Maybe one of the rails became faulty? Not sure how that would cause the power up/down/up again behavior though. :/

 

[nerp]

A messed up PSU can do all sorts of crazy, weird things. Just think about dashboard lights and different systems like ABS flicking on or off or not getting enough power in a car with a faulty electrical system or a battery or alternator that won't provide steady power.

 

[sm625]

Get a cheap old pci video card to use for troubleshooting, something like a FX5200. Also, try the other PCI-e slot.

 

[Denithor]

Get a cheap old pci video card to use for troubleshooting, something like a FX5200. Also, try the other PCI-e slot.

This, first (easiest). Could be bad slot, not bad GPU or PSU. That PSU is a tank, btw, possible culprit but unlikely. Second would be try different GPU, beg borrow or buy one to plug in and see if it's the GPU or the motherboard.

 

[Elfalora]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Eventually after trying a couple different options, I decided to clear the CMOS even though I have never overclocked. This time it stayed on without the power down in the middle, just still no boot or GPU missing beep. Progress! So I decided to plug in the GPU and ooooooooops, I forgot to power down first. I believe I saw some sparks from the PCI-E slot. Miraculously, after I connected the monitor and powered up again, it actually booted up. Don’t ask me why it worked. Maybe if it doesn’t kill you, it would cure you? Anyway, time to backup my stuff and price check replacements. Honestly, I’m not confident how long this computer would stay alive.