PC does not start

[varunsadh]

Hello,
When I power on my PC the red light turns on for a split second and the processor fans turns for a split second. That's it everything stops after that. I've gotten my power supply and motherboard replaced/repaired under warranty and still the same problem. UPS and RAM are not problem as I've tried to power on my PC without them. Can anybody help?

 

[rolli59]

Follow this guide http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-boot-video-problems

 

[moody89]

Agreed, I'd definitely start working through the steps in the guide rolli59 posted. We'll also need some more information on your system to help you effectively. If you could post your full system specs, how long you have had your current system, whether you built this yourself etc. that would help. Also, if you think there's any other information that may be relevant, for example, you said you had your motherboard and PSU repaired or replaced under warranty - was it the same fault that caused this or something else?

Also, your system will fail to POST without RAM installed. To test faulty RAM try using only one stick at a time and try each stick in each and every slot on the motherboard. This will rule out either bad memory or a faulty motherboard. Failing that, try removing all non-essential components and replacing each one by one to locate the faulty component. This includes everything except your motherboard, CPU and RAM. Even remove your graphics card if possible.

Let us know when you have tried all of the above and we'll go from there. Good luck!

 

[varunsadh]

Full system specs:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33 Ghz 45nm FSB 1333 Mhz L2 cache 4MB LGA 775
Motherboard: MSI P7NGM Digital - GeForce 9300/nForce 730i replaced/repaired under warranty
RAM: Kingston 2 x 2GB PC2-6400 240 pin 1.8V
CPU cooler: Came with processor - One pin to hold it in the motherboard is not working but the fan seems tight enough with the other 3 pins.
Video card: On board.
Power supply: Cooler Master Extreme Power Plus 460W replaced/repaired under warranty
Hard drive: Western Digital 500GB WD500AAKS 7200 RPM.
OS: MS Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit.
Case: Cooler Master Ammo 533.

I assembled the system in November 2008. I'll explain how my problem started.

Few months back my system would not start on the first try. It would take several times of pushing the power button to get it started. The CPU would make a "khurrrrr" noise whenever I pressed the Power button. But it used to eventually start. But a couple of weeks back, there was power cut (electricity cut) and perhaps a power surge. I use a UPS for this purpose. Well after this I tried to turn on my PC and it just wouldn't. The red light would glow for a second and green light for half a second and then nothing.

I called a computer technician who told me it was a power supply problem so I got that changed. The Processor fan would start for a split second and then nothing. So the computer guy said it was a motherboard problem and I got that changed. Now I am still getting the same problem.

This is the background for my problem. I will try all the solutions mentioned in the guide and get back to you.

Thanks.

 

[varunsadh]

Agreed, I'd definitely start working through the steps in the guide rolli59 posted. We'll also need some more information on your system to help you effectively. If you could post your full system specs, how long you have had your current system, whether you built this yourself etc. that would help. Also, if you think there's any other information that may be relevant, for example, you said you had your motherboard and PSU repaired or replaced under warranty - was it the same fault that caused this or something else?

Also, your system will fail to POST without RAM installed. To test faulty RAM try using only one stick at a time and try each stick in each and every slot on the motherboard. This will rule out either bad memory or a faulty motherboard. Failing that, try removing all non-essential components and replacing each one by one to locate the faulty component. This includes everything except your motherboard, CPU and RAM. Even remove your graphics card if possible.

Let us know when you have tried all of the above and we'll go from there. Good luck!

Can one broken push pin on the processor fan cause this problem? The processor fan seems tightly fixed even with 3 push pins working.

 

[rolli59]

Looks fixed but is not since one is broken! If a broken pin was OK it would come with only 3 from the beginning.

 

[varunsadh]

Looks fixed but is not since one is broken! If a broken pin was OK it would come with only 3 from the beginning.

so this could be the reason why my pc is not posting?

 

[rolli59]

It is unlikely that it would be the only reason since it takes more than a split second for the CPU to heat up. Because of that they CPU may overheat during use. Looking at your description it still sounds like motherboard or PSU, that is power problem.

 

[varunsadh]

Instead if trying everything in that guide I breadboarded my unit. I started with only the PSU, motherboard and processor. Still same problem. I have already had my PSU and motherboard changed under warranty so the processor is the likeliest culprit. Problem is with the broken pin on the processor fan, Intel may deny me warranty.

 

[rolli59]

People have gotten broken parts after RMA. If you go to Intel because of the CPU, do they know that the pin did not break when you took it of the motherboard.

 

[varunsadh]

People have gotten broken parts after RMA. If you go to Intel because of the CPU, do they know that the pin did not break when you took it of the motherboard.

No they don't. But this is India. Customer service employees love to argue with customers and customers can't do anything. I've sent them an email with the pics of the processor fan and processor. Let's see what their response is.

Well I don't have another PSU, motherboard or processor to check which part is not working.

 

[varunsadh]

Finally got my processor changed and PSU the second time. The PC starts but doesn't load into Windows 7. Always freezes. It asks me to run System Repair which also freezes regardless of whether I run it from the PC or a bootable Win 7 disk.

The rare time system repair worked, it said there were no problems.

I used my hard disk on another PC as an external drive as well as second hard drive in SATA. It seemed to work fine and passed basic CHKDSK checks.

What could be the problem now?

 

[blackpanther26]

it seems to me like MSI did not fix your board. I had a MSI Geforce 8800 Ultra that would BSOD on halo and CoD4 I sent it in. got it back and worked fine for about 4 to 5 months. Then I said ___ this and got an ATI Radeon 4870 from Sapphire. Even with the CPU out of the socket I was able to test a motherboard that was socket 939 and which turned out to be a motherboard problem woth the HT.

I'm not sure if times has changed or not.

 

[Flyingsparrow101]

Does your motherboard have an 8 pin connection near the CPU I had this problem because my psu only had 4, got another one
and I solved this problem by getting a bigger psu witch had the 8 pins but got worse my pc started frying everything including x2 CD-Rom drives
and one seagate 320gb hard drive I'm not sure if it was plugging in the 8 pins because this board has been used by my dad and brother for at least three years with no problems at all except overheating but that was only once and we didn't have to get a new CPU cooler my only option was to get another board which was an evga p55 sli perfect for gamers. BTW my motherboard was an asus commando with intel core 2 duo e6700

Hope this helps.

 

[blackpanther26]

it dose not matter about 8 pin or 4 pin power connector. They should work either way.

 

[varunsadh]

Well I have to be sure before I send an RMA request to MSI. Because if the motherboard is not the problem I will continue to have the problem later.

What can freeze even the windows 7 boot cd?

I'm thinking hardware as the boot cd is not using the hard disk. I'm checking the RAM but I don't know how I can check the motherboard and CPU.

I have 4 pins on my board and my PSU provides me with 4 + 4 pin setup. It has always worked for me. I'm not sure if that is the problem.

Another important thing when my PC is booting, the processor makes a coughing sound (metallic coughing) once it's checking the RAM and once or twice after that. I think that might be a problem but again I don't think the problem is the processor because Intel sent me a brand new sealed processor.

Any ideas? Any bootable software I can use to determine the problem?

 

[moody89]

CPUs very rarely fail like that unless you do something drastic to them. My money's on your motherboard still. The only real way to check your motherboard, CPU and PSU is by substitution. Your CPU is new so it's not likely that's your problem. If you have another motherboard/psu or can borrow one from a friend etc. then that would help you narrow down what's wrong with your system.

 

[varunsadh]

Can RAM cause these problems at default BIOS settings? I had reset CMOS from the motherboard.

SATA in BIOS is set at IDE. I don't remember if it was at IDE or AHCI when my computer used to work.

I'm gonna try using a friend's RAM to see if my RAM is faulty.

PSU is unlikely to be the problem as the service center checked it in front of me with some device. And its powering my system.

I don't think the hard drive can cause the Windows 7 Boot cd Startup repair to freeze.

 

[moody89]

Can RAM cause these problems at default BIOS settings? I had reset CMOS from the motherboard.

SATA in BIOS is set at IDE. I don't remember if it was at IDE or AHCI when my computer used to work.

I'm gonna try using a friend's RAM to see if my RAM is faulty.

PSU is unlikely to be the problem as the service center checked it in front of me with some device. And its powering my system.

I don't think the hard drive can cause the Windows 7 Boot cd Startup repair to freeze.

RAM can cause these issues, but if you followed to steps and information given in Rolli59's and my first replies at the top of the post, this would have isolated a memory error.

IDE mode should be fine for most SATA devices.

You're correct that if you have still have issues when you boot to a CD (before the system accesses your HDD) then your HDD can't be the problem.

I would try everything else first, by substitution (even your PSU) and then if nothing else works you know it's your motherboard and that it wasn't repaired properly. Hope this helps.

 

[varunsadh]

RAM can cause these issues, but if you followed to steps and information given in Rolli59's and my first replies at the top of the post, this would have isolated a memory error.

IDE mode should be fine for most SATA devices.

You're correct that if you have still have issues when you boot to a CD (before the system accesses your HDD) then your HDD can't be the problem.

I would try everything else first, by substitution (even your PSU) and then if nothing else works you know it's your motherboard and that it wasn't repaired properly. Hope this helps.

Can any BIOS settings cause this problem?

 

[xxsk8er101xx]

No, incompatible RAM can though. Try a BIOS update.

Can any BIOS settings cause this problem?

 

[varunsadh]

I checked the RAM using windows memory diagnostic memtest86+. Nothing wrong with the RAM.

The metallic coughing sound was coming from the DVD drive.

So I guess motherboard seems to be the only suspect.

I will send it to MSI for service under warranty.

 

[varunsadh]

Memtest86+ and NSSI are showing RAM as 1791 MB and 1788 MB for 2 GB stick. Why is that?

 

[varunsadh]

Figured it out. 256 mb is reserved for on board video.

 

[varunsadh]

I haven't sent my motherboard for servicing yet. I wanted to try a few things first.

I set up my PC outside the case. Started with the bare minimum and added parts after that. I put my HDD in SATA2 instead of SATA1 port. By this I mean out of the total 6 ports available on my motherboard. I used the optimized default settings from the BIOS and put only 1 RAM DIMM.

Now Windows 7 does load a few times but still freezes afterwards. Sometimes it freezes after loading the desktop but sometimes it freezes few minutes later.

RAM sometimes works in one, sometimes the others. So I can't figure out if it's the board or the RAM. So I tried a friend's RAM.

I put it in and it looked it was working. But after 20-30 mins while Windows was idle, it froze.

Is it still the motherboard? Is it the RAM?