PC will not POST

[adrianleo]

Hi,

I've been having an issue with my PC for a couple of days. The system just won't get into POST.
I first experienced this issue after a shutdown. When I powered it on it said that overclocking had failed (I was using D.O.C.P) the after restart it simply wouldn't POST (no video signal as well).

I have done the following:
- tested RAM, left only one stick in
- BIOS jumper reset (starts, POSTs, enter BIOS, restart and same issue happens)
- BIOS flash
- replaced GPU for an older one (same issue)
- swapped PSU for a less powerful one, system came on, worked wonderfully.
- put back my PSU in and system worked, but only until the next shutdown.

The only thing I haven't tried is to replace CPU or Motherboard (don't have any compatible ones handy).

Now I'm guessing the issue is the PSU, but it occasionally works. It is only after restart or shutdown that the issue starts to occur. Even with default BIOS settings.

So is it the PSU, CPU or Motherboard?

My specs are:
AMD FX8320
M5A97 LE R2.0
Sapphire Radeon R9 290 Tri-X
8 GB of RAM (4x2 GB Hyper Blu)
Corsair CX750M - 750 Watts 80 bronze
3 case coolers + 1 CPU air cooler.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Money on that PSU being a duffer. I have replaced 2 of the same model for a client in the same month. The brand new replacement unit that was sent back to me was also defective though i was able to install windoes before it went into a non stop boot loop

 

[Parn]

It has to be the PSU then if another unit worked fine with your system.

The Corsair CX series is not known for its reliability.

 

[adrianleo]

This one works as well... Sometimes. The PC will boot into Windows and after a restart/shutdown it just won't POST. Fans spin, just no video.

I'll risk it and order a new PSU, something a bit more expensive and reliable. What do you think of Corsair 850RMi 80+ Gold. Or should I avoid Corsair?

 

[stinger608]

The higher end Corsair units are just fine......However, I still prefer Seasonic gold or platinum units. First and foremost they carry a 7 year replacement warranty. I have been using one of the X series 750 watt units in my system for well on 3 years now and haven't had one single issue with it.

Another nice feature with the Seasonic X series is they are 100% modular.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

Swap the k/b

Sounds stupid....hapenned to me ....today.
I moved a bread board pc fom one room to another changed nothing but k/b.
Wouldnt restart....aaaaaargh.

Redid everything then realized the change in k/b.
ps/2 _usb

 

[Parn]

This one works as well... Sometimes. The PC will boot into Windows and after a restart/shutdown it just won't POST. Fans spin, just no video.

I'll risk it and order a new PSU, something a bit more expensive and reliable. What do you think of Corsair 850RMi 80+ Gold. Or should I avoid Corsair?

Corsair don't manufacture the PSUs themselves but have different OEMs doing the job for them, so quality & reliability are different depending on which series you go for and what the actual OEM behind is.

The series which are safe to buy from Corsair are AX, HX and RM. So yes that RM850i (made by CWT) is a very good unit.

Like the other poster I'm a fan of SeaSonic PSUs myself.

 

[adrianleo]

All right then. I've ordered the Corsair RM. Hopefully this solves the issue I'm having. Thank you to all for your help.

 

[Jetster]

I don't think its your PSU

Take everything out of the case and bench test. No "extras"

Could be your HD as well. What is it?

Where do you live (clean power?)

Run a live Linux disk and see if works okay

 

[adrianleo]

I'll try it tonight when I get home.

I have 1 Kingston SSD 120GB & 1 Seagate Baracuda 1TB 7200RPM.

The problem isn't that the OS won't boot it's the fact that the PC won't POST. But still I'll try a live Linux USB tonight without any drives.

 

[Jetster]

I see very helpful. Your location?

 

[adrianleo]

Romania. I have no problems with power.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I don't think its your PSU

Take everything out of the case and bench test. No "extras"

Could be your HD as well. What is it?

Where do you live (clean power?)

Run a live Linux disk and see if works okay

The OP switched the PSU to a different one and the system powered up OK. Switched it back to the old one and started having problems again. If that doesnt say its the PSU then i dont know what does. My experience with this particular model isnt exactly what i would call 'top notch' either.

my last PSU lasted about 2-3years, it was a Corsair HX1050, Started developing coil whine and eventually would randomly just trip no matter what i was doing - I didnt even need to have the system running at full load and the system would just randomly die. At first the tripping didnt happen very often and i just put it down to bad software but over time it started happening more and more and more and i straight up replaced it with an AX860 while the 1050 went on an all out expenses paid tour of Corsair's RMA center - which it never came back from. All my problems went away when i replaced the PSU.


The client i did work for had his original machine built by a retailer - It worked well for 3-4months then started going into a non-stop bootloop. He contacted the retailer and they replaced the defective PSU but the problem kept happening. His friend who is a very close friend of mine enlisted in my help to get it working - I RMA'd his PSU directly with corsair and received the same CX750M back in return. Plugged everything back in and everything was running fine. got windows installed then *bang* boot loops started all over again. The unit i had received back from Corsair was factory sealed so there was no denying that it wasnt freshly off the production line. Spoke to the client again - told him it was a shitty PSU and he agreed to buy another PSU. I bought him an EVGA or XFX 650W Bronze certified and low and behold, all problems went away.

While there are times where other components other than the PSU can cause the system to send it into full retard mode, this wasnt one of them.

 

[Jetster]

The OP switched the PSU to a different one and the system powered up OK. Switched it back to the old one and started having problems again. If that doesnt say its the PSU then i dont know what does.

I miss read it. My bad.

 

[adrianleo]

OK. So I did the following:
- took out HDD, SDD
- booted Ubuntu live, worked.
- restated PC, worked just fine.
- got worried, thought it wasn't the PSU.
- restarted again, didn't POST
- tested again and again. Worked 2 out of 3 times, then 1 out of 3.
- changed the PSU again (which got me thinking I will need a better case so I can easily access the components) with an older one and everything worked 10/10 times.

Now relieved. As relieved as I can be with a malfunctioning PSU. At least I won't have to cancel that order for a new one.

Just when I had a few days off work and thought I could game... Happy happy days.

Anyway thanks a lot for your help guys. Much appreciated.

 

[Jetster]

Good job trouble shooting