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Power on problems, random restarts

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dannyboy731

Junior Member
Hello all, maybe someone can figure this one out. So about a week ago my computer started having trouble powering on. When I turned it on, I didn't get the usual mobo p.o.s.t. beep, the monitor would not power on, and the hdd light would stay on constantly. Also, the reset button had no functionality, but I could still hard reset with the power button. Then I found if I flipped the power switch on/off on the psu, it would then boot up fine, but only if I had tried to power on once and failed first.

Phase two of my problems - any time I try to do anything at all memory intensive, the comp cuts off, hanging at the same half-on, fans running, monitor off spot. I can replicate the restart pretty consistently with photoshop or while running winamp and firefox at the same time. It will restart 100% of the time if I try to import a cd in iTunes, but sometimes gets through one or two songs, sometimes half of one. It all works pretty much as normal if I don't do much other than use the internet or check my e-mail.

So here is what I have tried already...everything on the internet so far had pointed me towards a failing power supply, overheating cpu, or bad ram. I changed out the ram first, no help. I made sure all of my fans were still working and cleaned out some dust, no help. Last, I ordered a new, slightly better psu, and replaced it to no avail. My thinking now is that I might try replacing the mobo and/or cpu; I can't really think of anything else.

I can't really see how this would be caused by a software problem, and I've checked pretty thoroughly for viruses and spyware. I hadn't really made any changes to my system around the time this all started, either. The last thing I did was replace a dead hdd about 3 months ago. Anyway, this thing has pretty much been a lemon since I got it, and I know I need a new system, I'm just holding out for tax refund time. So yeah, any help will be greatly appreciated, and I apologize for the lengthy post. Thanks a lot!
 
Have you checked your BIOS settings to see if they are the same as when the system was initially configured ? If they have NOT changed, I would write them down, so you can get back to those settings when you may try to reset your CMOS, below.

Have you reseated all of your cards, video, etc. ?

Have you reset the CMOS via the motherboard jumper (being VERY CAREFUL to exactly follow the instructions as given in the motherboard owners manual) ?
 
OK, first of all, thanks for your help. The CMOS settings are fine, so I reseated my pci cards and everything, and that didn't fix it. Then windows wanted to reinstall my lan card for some reason, but wouldn't take the driver, then suddenly fixed itself. So I don't know what was up with that, but anyways...then I discharged the CMOS using the jumper, fixed all the settings, and it still has the same problems.

Sometimes if I really play around with the power switches and the actual power strip it is plugged into, I can get it to start up first try. I did even try a different outlet just in case. But it still restarts at the drop of a hat. I'm really thinking it must be my mobo; I've had to replace it once or twice before, just not in a few years. Anyway, thanks again for your help so far!
 
damn, i'm having the exact same problem. i really think my mobo is the problem...

did you happen to find out if it was the mobo or not?
 
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