Computer power light blinks on and off

[jpe1701]

So I usually leave my computer on over night and occasionally my cat will hit the power button and shut it off. I got up yesterday and found that the computer was off and when I pushed the button it would flash on for a second then shut off. I turned off the main power switch and tried again with no luck. I then cleared cmos and it changed to flashing on and off repeatedly and I had to switch off the main power to get it to stop. I tried reseating the ram and video card and disconnecting everything non essential with the same results. My first guess is motherboard because the psu is an evga g2 that is only a few months old but I don't know. Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[Sedivy]

What does your motherboard manual say about the flashing?

 

[skibo1219]

more than likely its a hybrid sleep mode. This can be changed in windows power settings.

 

[jpe1701]

What does your motherboard manual say about the flashing?

The manual doesn't say anything. It's the cases light that is blinking.

 

[jpe1701]

more than likely its a hybrid sleep mode. This can be changed in windows power settings.

It only stays on for less than a second, no time to post even.

 

[Sedivy]

The case's light is connected to the motherboard so it could still be indicative. Continuous flashes on mine for example represent sleep mode. I haven't tried hybrid sleep mode but as hibernation is known to have issues, I can well believe it. As to how to change it without going to windows, it could be I think accessed in bios, but according to your description you can't get that far. Try taking out the motherboard cmos battery and then putting it back in (resetting bios) to see if it'll help.

 

[jpe1701]

The case's light is connected to the motherboard so it could still be indicative. Continuous flashes on mine for example represent sleep mode. I haven't tried hybrid sleep mode but as hibernation is known to have issues, I can well believe it. As to how to change it without going to windows, it could be I think accessed in bios, but according to your description you can't get that far. Try taking out the motherboard cmos battery and then putting it back in (resetting bios) to see if it'll help.

I actually tried that already(see my original post), before i pulled the battery it would just blink on for a second and shut off, and after it repeatedly flashed on and off with fans spinning for less than a second. thanks for your suggestions. I never use sleep mode either so unless an update or something changed it my computer wouldn't go to sleep.

 

[Sedivy]

Yeah it's possible there was an update though I'd say an update interrupted (untimely paw induced shut off maybe? ) if it messed up your system like this. Or maybe a certain prolonged press or something, induces some form of hibernation by default but as you never do it yourself, you'd never see it before.
Clearing cmos switched it to continuous flashing which would indicate sleep mode but I'm surprised that at that point, pressing it didn't let it boot up.

You can't get to bios but I wonder if it would make a difference to actually disconnect your drive with windows before trying to boot, or get an OS that can boot from dvd/usb like linux (provided usb is set to boot before the hd). Or simply connect a different (non-os) drive? Just to see if it'll let you boot long enough to get to bios. Not sure what else to try to be honest.

 

[jpe1701]

Yeah thanks, I didn't think of that. I'll download a Linux distro to usb and try. I ordered a thermaltake psu tester to see if that is the problem. I'm honestly hoping it's the motherboard oddly enough. I'd love a new z270.

 

[Sedivy]

Your PSU is good quality, I'd be surprised if it was that though of course it's a possibility. My bet would be on the motherboard also, though I hope it's a software/bios and not a hardware issue. It sounds like you wouldn't take it terribly if it was a hardware issue with it after all 😛

 

[jpe1701]

Your PSU is good quality, I'd be surprised if it was that though of course it's a possibility. My bet would be on the motherboard also, though I hope it's a software/bios and not a hardware issue. It sounds like you wouldn't take it terribly if it was a hardware issue with it after all 😛

No, all my important stuff is backed up in 3 spots and not on the c drive of my computer. I actually love working on it just sucks to have to spend money but I've been looking at z270's and drooling anyways so this might be my excuse. lol. Thank you for your help. I will keep you posted.

 

[skibo1219]

The case's light is connected to the motherboard so it could still be indicative. Continuous flashes on mine for example represent sleep mode. I haven't tried hybrid sleep mode but as hibernation is known to have issues, I can well believe it. As to how to change it without going to windows, it could be I think accessed in bios, but according to your description you can't get that far. Try taking out the motherboard cmos battery and then putting it back in (resetting bios) to see if it'll help.

I actually tried that already(see my original post), before i pulled the battery it would just blink on for a second and shut off, and after it repeatedly flashed on and off with fans spinning for less than a second. thanks for your suggestions. I never use sleep mode either so unless an update or something changed it my computer wouldn't go to sleep.

The creators update reset a lot of settings. Its quite possible windows messed with your power scheme. But if you want to disable hibernate, as a simple test, check this link here.

 

[jpe1701]

So I've tracked it down to a motherboard problem. I got a new ASRock killer sli/ac. Haven't installed it yet. Thanks all for the help.

 

[jpe1701]

Just to update I installed my new motherboard and it didn't post so I used my thermal take PSU tester and it turns out my evga 750 g2 had failed. So I got a new motherboard for nothing. Lol. Oh well at least I upgraded to z270. Now I'm waiting on an RMA ticket from EVGA.