ASUS motherbord won't boot

[JJ_Atkinson]

Hello

I am having trouble with my computer not turning on. It started with a few blue screens every once and a while, then a fuzzy screen, and then black screen of death and now it won't start.

Specs:
Motherboard: ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3 (http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M5A78L/specifications/)
CPU: AMD FX -6100 3.3 GHz 6-core AM3
RAM: 2 x 4GB 240-pin DDR3 1600MHz dual channel (tested with memtest 86+ 6 passes)
Power supply: Thermaltake TR2-430 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023)
System: Windows 7 brand new install or ubuntu trial
Hard drive: PNY 120GB ssd

pics: http://1drv.ms/1M6Vc2V

 

[alexoiu]

Hi, Try connecting an internal speaker to the motherboard and start the PC with only CPU and CPU fan installed. See if the CPU fan does spin and if getting 1 long 2 short beeps.

 

[JJ_Atkinson]

Hello alexiou,

I disconnected all the plugins from the back i/o panel, the cd drive and all hard drives. I heard one short beep and the fan did spin.

 

[alexoiu]

If connecting the monitor to the PC, does it get signal?

 

[JJ_Atkinson]

Yes, but only sometimes. When it works it has a small blinking underscore cursor.

 

[alexoiu]

I guess that one of the hard drives (probably the one with the OS on it) does not work properly. Try connecting the DVD drive and start the PC. See if working.

 

[JJ_Atkinson]

Wow, that worked! I disconnected all the hard dives and the DVD drive and put in the Ubuntu trial USB version and it started right up.

Thank you for your help.

 

[alexoiu]

No problem.

 

[JJ_Atkinson]

Ok, late post but I have found it is not the hdd. The fuzzy screen was fixed (see http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2560761/fuzzy-screen-death.html). The problem now is the blinking cursor screen not disappearing and moving to the splash screen. It seems this problem is related to restarting the computer, and the problem gets worse after more restarts. The fix is completely removing power from the computer. The reason disconnecting the hdds worked was that I unplugged the computer to take them off. Any idea why this is happening???

 

[alexoiu]

It might be a power supply issue. Can you test different one?

 

[JJ_Atkinson]

Hey alexoiu, thanks for checking this thread again. I would like to, but this is the only desktop we have and we tossed the last PSU. Also, is it possible that this (if it is the PSU) is the root cause for thees problems?

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2560761/fuzzy-screen-death.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2585206/windows-bsod-black-sod-fuzzy-sod.html

 

[alexoiu]

No, those are more likely drivers related.
But "It seems this problem is related to restarting the computer, and the problem gets worse after more restarts. The fix is completely removing power from the computer." makes me think that it might be a power issue.

 

[JJ_Atkinson]

Ok, now that I have a fix I'm going to leave it alone until I can test the power supply. Thank you very much for all your help.

 

[alexoiu]

No problem. Please post back the result.

 

[JJ_Atkinson]

Sorry for the late post. The problem has returned. So now all I get after hitting the power button is a nice black screen. When starting I don't hear a beep most of the time. However the fans and hard drives do spin up and the power light turns on. Any clue why this would happen? Also can I test the PSU with a multimeter? Does any one know a good site with instructions?

Thanks for any help.

 

[JJ_Atkinson]

Just found this, http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html. My PSU appears in tier 5, Does this mean that it is definitely bad, or is this just a rule of thumb? Is there a way to test it? Also, does anyone know why "TR2 and TR2-RX" is in bold?

 

[nostall]

Just found this, http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html. My PSU appears in tier 5, Does this mean that it is definitely bad, or is this just a rule of thumb? Is there a way to test it? Also, does anyone know why "TR2 and TR2-RX" is in bold?

They are in Bold print because of the numerous reports of failures. They are not quality units, sorry. I have looked at both your posts. Before deciding that there is a mobo problem, replace your PSU with a quality unit, or borrow one from a friend that is a known, good, working psu and try it in your system.
With multiple "fixes" in this thread, that didn't permanently fix the issue, and you trying to boot with just the CPU,fan,and a stick of RAM without results (your other thread) certainly sounds like mobo; but a failed or failing PSU can do that also.
If you end up purchasing a new PSU I would try to select one from Tiers 1,2, or at least 3 on that list.

 

[JJ_Atkinson]

Hi nostall, thanks for replying.

I was looking at the Corsair CX430 (http://www.corsair.com/en-us/cx430-80-plus-bronze-certified-power-supply). I think that was in tier 2b. That is the same wattage and (not sure yet) the proper connectors for my setup. Could my current PSU have damaged my mobo? I will see if i can find a test power supply. Just out of curiosity can a damaged mobo hurt a power supply (if the mobo is not shorted)?

 

[nostall]

Hi nostall, thanks for replying.

I was looking at the Corsair CX430 (http://www.corsair.com/en-us/cx430-80-plus-bronze-certified-power-supply). I think that was in tier 2b. That is the same wattage and (not sure yet) the proper connectors for my setup. Could my current PSU have damaged my mobo? I will see if i can find a test power supply. Just out of curiosity can a damaged mobo hurt a power supply (if the mobo is not shorted)?

Corsair CX is a Tier 3, both in the list you linked (old now) and in the new list (http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html ). Lot of them out there, but they have mediocre to poor capacitors; again, stick with tier 1 or2, but if all you can afford is that CX, then go for it; better then your Thermaltake.
FORUM MEMBERS AND contributors to this post: There is another post re. this problem from this member:
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2592009/mobo-dead.html
To continue helping JJ-Atkinson please go to that thread.