CPU fan spins for a sec and stops: Have tried EVERYTHING

[Paulballs]

Ive read alot of threads here about this very issue and most seem to settle on the PSU has gone bad. But doesnt seem so in my case.

I built a system a month ago. Worked fine for a month then one day it just shut off. I removed everything from the mobo part by part trying to diagnose the problem but kept getting same thing. Push power, CPU fan spins for a sec then stops. I eventually took the mobo out of the case, had only the CPU, 1 stick of ram (have tried different stick, different slots), and PSU hooked up. Same thing.

I did the paperclip test on the PSU, it passed that. Even so, went out and bought a new PSU, same issue. At this point I assumed it was the mobo. Sent that in on an RMA, Gigabyte said it passed as good under several different configurations. I got the mobo back today, hooked up out of the box, PSU, CPU, ram, same thing. I used a 3rd PSU that I know is good (computer it is in is running now), same thing. I went and bought a new cmos battery, same thing.

So at this point its down to the CPU or the mobo, even though Gigabyte said the mobo was tested as good. Ive never had a CPU die, and if it is dead would if give this kind of symptom?

All PSUs Ive used have plenty of power. The CPU was never overclocked. Its not something basic Im missing, Ive covered every possible angle I can think of.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

No MoBo LEDs lit ?

Ran w/o GFX card on integrated GFX ?

Tested RAM w/ Memtest 86+ ?

It's one month old and under warranty ... call Gigglebyte and have them walk ya thru the troubleshooting steps.

 

[Paulballs]

The mobo has no LEDs.

Ran without any GFX card, there in on onboard gfx

Yes, its under warranty which is why I sent it to Gigabyte. They sent it back saying its fine although Im very skeptical of that.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The normal process is ....

1. Call the MoBo manufacturer
2. Describe your problem
3. They offer solutions which you can try while on the phone.
4. **If** he can't solve the problem, then he / she will give you an RMA number.
5. At this point, how can they send it back if their tech support guy was unable to fix it ?

19/20 times it's over at Step 3

 

[Paulballs]

You seem to be missing the point. The mobo was already sent back to Gigabyte. They tested it and said its worked under several different configurations. So assuming the mobo is good, which I still doubt, it has to be the processor, although in the 20+years Ive dealt with and build computers Ive never had a CPU die, ever

 

[JackNaylorPE]

No, you need to take off the blinders and recognize that the problem may not the MoBo but the MoBo's interaction with the other components (which are still a secret to us). The technician will have you do certain things that will test and narrow down possible causes of the problem.

It gets very difficult on budget builds where there are no LEDs or Q-code indicators that detail exactly what the problem is.

Here's some examples of recent troubleshooting successes w/ boxes that showed up on my workbench (or what my wife likes to call "the dining room table"

Took out memory and ran Memtest86+ in one of my boxes, 1 stick failed

User overtightened mounting plate on Hyper 212 and broke a circuit trace or solder contact... loosening the hold down screws restored functionality.

The EPS plug was not inserted into the connector in next to the CPU.

The user replaced stock cooler with a aftermarket one with low rpm fans.... BIOS setting was set to turn off machine if rpm was too low .... adjusting the set point solved the problem.

Case power switch failed.... would make temporary contact but not keep the box on. I switched the wires to use restart button as on/ off button.

These and many more possibilities could be the cause of your problem, none of which involves a bad PSU, bad MoBo or bad CPU.

 

[Paulballs]

I've tried multiple sticks of ram. Unless 4 sticks of known to be good ram all failed at the same time it's not ram.

I used a stock AMD HFS. So no screws were overnightened, therefore breaking anything.

Have tried 2 power switches from 2 cases and tried shorting the power pins, no dice.

Next?

I don't see how the tech on the phone is going to do anything. The board was tested by them and said to be good.

Is the issue indicative of a failed cpu? I've never heard of that before. I'm still leaning to the mobo is bad but somehow they passed it as good.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Did you send your RAM, case , PSU and all other components that are plugged into the MoBo with them ?

That's the whole idea of talking to the tech BEFORE you send it in..... in my experience, if you get an authorized RAM from a tech after they fail to fix the problem, there is no test..... I always have the new board sent to me and I return the old one in the same packaging they mailed to me. On high end boards this is free.... on lower end, they take a Credit card and then credit you when they get it back.

 

[Paulballs]

Of course not. Why would I send other components in that gigabyte doesn't make?

You're no help. Anyone else?

 

[Paulballs]

As it turns out it was the processor. AMD sent me a new one, back up and running. First time Ive ever had a processor die. First time I ever heard of one dying out of the clear blue.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Of course not. Why would I send other components in that gigabyte doesn't make?

You're no help. Anyone else?

EXACTLY ! So why did you send the Gigabyte MoBo in if it wasn't broken

Step 1 - Find out what component actually **is** causing the problem by going thru the MoBo supplier's troubleshooting procedure.
Step 2 - Return the component that is actually causing the problem

Gigabyte didn't make the processor either .... yet you decided to send the MoBo in convinced that was the problem. Had you talked and done the troubleshooting steps with a tech first, you would have saved ya self a lot of time and aggravation.

 

[Paulballs]

<<Inappropriate language/insult removed by moderator>>

I DID talk to Gigabyte tech support before I sent the board in. They told me to RMA it, I didnt just send it in without talking to anyone. I thought pretty much anyone knows an RMA is generated from the supplier after you talk to them, you dont just stick it in a box and send it.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

That's not what you said before. Even after they tested it and told you the board was fine, you didn't want to listen to anyone and continued to hold on to your preconceived and erroneous notion. Maybe ya should reread the thread and think about why no one else has stepped into help you.

Yes, having been involved w/ computers since the 1980s and building Windows based PCs since the early 90s, I know quite well how an RMA works....typically one of two ways:

a) Troubleshooting session

User: "I am having a problem with my build and I don't know what was wrong."
Tech: "OK, Lets take you thru the troubleshooting procedure and if its the MoBo will we get you an RMA

b) RMA

User: "I am having a problem with my build and I have determined it's the MoBo."
Tech: "OK, Lets get you an RMA

 

[COLGeek]

<<Inappropriate language/insult removed by moderator>>

I DID talk to Gigabyte tech support before I sent the board in. They told me to RMA it, I didnt just send it in without talking to anyone. I thought pretty much anyone knows an RMA is generated from the supplier after you talk to them, you dont just stick it in a box and send it.

Please maintain your decorum and remain civil. Thank you.

 

[Paulballs]

Ha, <<Edited for content>>but I get the warning.

 

[COLGeek]

This thread is now being closed. Thank you.