PC Won't POST

[1voyager2]

Got a problem that I think is with the motherboard.
When I start my PC up, the fans and lights come on for a fraction of a second, then turn off for a couple of seconds, then begins repeating the cycle again, and again, and so on..
It never reaches POST.
It will continue this until I finally turn the power off at the PS.
Neither the start or reset buttons will stop it.
The mobo [ASUS P8Z77-V] has onboard graphics and audio.
After pulling the graphics card and connecting a monitor to the mobo's DVI port,, the mobo's red "boot device" warning light comes on.
When the graphics card is replaced, and monitors are reconnected, the red warning light does not turn on.
Nothing noticeable changes otherwise.

This happened a few months ago, but spontaneously fixed itself.
It looks to be back with a vengeance now..

Any suggestions as to where to begin trying to sort this out?

EDIT:
The graphics card is an XFX Radeon R7 260x.
I have had problems with it for a long time that, as near as I can determine, are caused by the driver.
The monitors will shut down and can only be restored by a reset button restart.

RE-EDIT:
I have got my PC up and running again.
For how long, I do not know.
I'm open to anything that can be done from the problem PC as long as it is up and running.
It is very slow in booting and also in loading Win7 even though it has an SSD.

 

[jkauff]

You may have multiple problems here. You should always be able to boot to the Intel iGPU, you probably have it disabled in the BIOS. Change that and always do your initial troubleshooting without the Radeon.

I think there's a good chance your power supply is going bad. How old is it? A PSU declines with age, so if it has a few years on it you should replace it anyway. Your Radeon may not be getting enough power consistently, which would explain your monitor problems. Fluctuating power levels can also cause problems with the motherboard, including the chipset SATA ports, which might explain your slow system drive.

 

[1voyager2]

Thanks for your response jkauff.
OK,
My PS is a Corsair RM850 purchased 8/15, almost 3yrs old into a 5yr warranty.
It is an 80 Plus Gold PS.
I cannot get to my PS tester right now for reasons that are too complicated to go into here.
With that said, I think it is unlikely the PS is bad, although it is a possibility.
I replaced a 750W PS that was adequate for the job with the 850w.
The 850w should at least be a bit overkill.

I did have Multi-Mon disabled in the BIOS.
I have enabled it even though I only tried a single monitor with the iGPU.
Although, I am using dual monitors with the graphics card, I think I have set something in Win7 that controls the dual monitors, because I no longer use a 3rd party multi-monitor software.

The Radeon card was bought 12/2015.
It has exhibited the monitor black outs since a few months after purchasing it.
Casting around for a fix, I found that many people are having sudden random blackout problems with this series of cards.
The consensus is that it is a driver problem.
I'm in Hawaii.
Returning it for evaluation and possible replacement would leave me without a PC for too long, or I'd have to buy another card to get by with in the interim.
So I've had to live with loosing everything not saved and doing a hard reset button restart every once in a while.
It is a PIA, but not as bad as shutting down to get the warranty service.
As I hang my head in shame, I'll admit that I bought the XFX brand because they did offer a Lifetime warranty with it.
It was just too much trouble to use it, and life time is a long time.
If I really got fed up with it I could do it any time.
I have been thinking about buying another card recently, and sending this one back with the complaint, haven't done it yet though.
I haven't removed the graphics card yet.
I'm afraid I wont be able to get it started up again if I shut it down.
After I post this I will remove it.
Wish me luck.
EDIT:
It does fire up with a a single monitor from the iGPU.
But, performance is terrible.
Gonna put the graphics card back in and run it a bit to see what happens.

Thanks jkauff for your help.
If I'm still having problems I'll be back.

 

[Ketchup]

Is the original power supply still available? You might want to try a swap if this happens again. Have you tried a CMOS reset when this happens? Are you running the latest BIOS?

 

[1voyager2]

Now the CPU warning light is coming on every time I turn it on with everything I try in it..
Things are too complicated right now to deal with this.
We've got a volcanic eruption going on.
It is possible that SO2 gasses may be affecting connections and components.

I'm just going to order a new mobo and processor, maybe a graphics card...
I'll probably need to get memory too.
Just gotta slow down and figure it out.
Thanks folks, but I'm gonna do this another way.

 

[Iron Woode]

My server had that same problem. It was a ram module. Once I re-seated it the PC booted up no problem.

 

[1voyager2]

Thanks Iron Woode,
Yeah, when I first saw the CPU LED I thought it was the RAM LED, old eyes , no glasses on, and no flashlight ,plus a cat trying to help me.
I pulled 3 of the 4 RAM modules, switched them around and reinstalled them.
It did fire up one time, then back to being a brick with the CPU LED lit up again.

I've got to get back into my home to get my drive docks, PS tester, screw drivers and other tools, etc which is problematical because they have closed us off from our house.
All visits are escorted, and have to be arranged.
That takes time.
Until I get the info I need off my OS drive I can't place an online order right now..
Gotta go get my home visit arranged.

 

[Iron Woode]

sorry to hear about the danger there.

Makes a computer problem seem small by comparison. I am sure you will get it all figured out sooner or later.

Be safe!

 

[1voyager2]

Pulled the RAM again, reset them, it fired up.
I'm on it now.
I'm afraid to turn it off.

Got my mobo, CPU, RAM order in:
ASUS Prime Z370-A
i7-8700k
Balistix Sport LT 8GB x2 DDR4 2400
Been thinking about doing this for a few months anyway, couldn't justify it until now.
I'll figure the Graphics card later.
I can always put this one back in.
Plus, I may have another back at home I could use.
I want a card with 2x DVI, having trouble finding one without spending more than I'm willing, or settling for a lesser card.
I've always used AMD cards but am now looking at Nvidia too.

Gotta go.

 

[jkauff]

I want a card with 2x DVI, having trouble finding one without spending more than I'm willing, or settling for a lesser card.
I've always used AMD cards but am now looking at Nvidia too.

Sorry to hear you're in the danger zone out there. Best of luck, especially with your house.

2x DVI cards will certainly be hard to find. The answer may be to use an adapter cable with HDMI on one end and DVI on the other end, I've done that before and it works fine.

 

[1voyager2]

We were never in any danger.
Our home is still not in any danger.
I stayed in the house quite awhile after they declared our location as part of the closed area.
Then they turned our power off for no valid reason except to try driving to holdouts out.
I stayed several more days.
We have a generator that I used to keep fridge and freezer going.
Then, they began threatening to arrest anyone found outside their home.
They cut off all communication for me and then blinded me.
They put me at risk that I was not in before their actions.
Please, don't bring the subject again.
I'm so pissed that I can't see straight.


The new mobo has a single DVI, HDMI and Display Port.
My present board includes a VGA port also.
I think I can find cards with 2x HDMI and/or Display ports and maybe other types..
I've used HDMI, but mostly just for connecting Roku and Kodi to the TV.
I'm not sure as to the usefulness of the Display port.
I use My PC for a lot of photo and video processing.
I'm a bit distrustful of the less secure HDMI ans Display connections.

Is DVI being phased out?
What would be the best options for DVI alternates?
I'm off to go see what I find online on the subject and look some more at cards.
Thanks..

 

[UsandThem]

Please, don't bring the subject again.
I'm so pissed that I can't see straight.

Playing devil's advocate here, but you're the one that brought it up. Maybe don't mention it (or edit your posts), and focus on your hardware problem if it affects you so much?

 

[1voyager2]

Thanks folks your help so far.
I am dropping this thread because I'm no longer concerned with the mobo.
It is now a graphics card search.
I will start over in the proper forum.
Thanks again.
EDIT:
On second thought, I have decided on the replacement card.
I'm done.
Thanks again.