I've had this computer for the past 4 years, but I recently started having this issue. I've finally hit the end of my debugging/Google skills. When I turn my computer on, it sometimes power cycles (fans turn on, lights turn on, power supply clicks, then everything turns off) multiple times before reaching the BIOS and displaying something on the screen. I would estimate about 10 seconds on, 3 seconds off. This can happen anywhere from 0 times to taking 15+ minutes in this mode.
Specs of the system:
CPU: i5-6500
Mobo: Gigabyte B150 Phoenix Wifi
Memory: 16 GB generic G.Skill
GPU: Gigabyte 1060 6GB
PSU: Corsair SF450
Case: Fractal Design Node 202
Some of the things I've tried:
Specs of the system:
CPU: i5-6500
Mobo: Gigabyte B150 Phoenix Wifi
Memory: 16 GB generic G.Skill
GPU: Gigabyte 1060 6GB
PSU: Corsair SF450
Case: Fractal Design Node 202
Some of the things I've tried:
- Removing the GPU. I've been testing with just integrated graphics to remove a point of failure. I thought it might be an issue with the PCIe riser in my case, but the same issues occur with the GPU completely disconnected.
- Testing RAM sticks one by one. The system has the same inconsistent behavior with each individual stick as well as both sticks together. I also ran memtest64 after my computer eventually booted with each stick, but found no errors.
- Testing without any RAM sticks at all. Obviously, my computer never booted without RAM. However, it was interesting to see the same issue - powering on for 10 seconds, powering off for 3 seconds - with the RAM removed. It seems that a failure is detected during POST before RAM is tested, but my interpretation could be incorrect.
- Using the CMOS clear jumper and removing the CMOS battery (I did those two things separately). Neither of these made any changes to the overall behavior.
- GPU almost definitely isn't an issue.
- RAM probably isn't an issue, since removing RAM didn't change behavior and both sticks seem fine.
- I know the power cycling could be caused by the CPU overheating or an issue with the CPU fan. But, the computer sometimes does boot and run correctly without any noticeable errors, so that seems unlikely in this case.
- I haven't tested my SSD at all, but I doubt it's at fault for the same reason as the CPU/CPU fan.
- PSU could be a problem.
- Motherboard could definitely be the issue, probably the most likely cause at this point.
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