PC not powering up until I hold down the power button.

[Pavel Pokidaylo]

Sup. First of all let me begin by saying that I have had to RMA this motherboard a number of times now. The first two times were for reasons other than the current problem I am having. The last time I had to RMA it was because the computer would not turn on unless I hit the CMOS reset. It started when one day I went to turn on the computer and it wouldn't turn on until I hit the power button three times. Then it was fine for two weeks until the same thing happened again. Another few weeks went by with it being totally fine and then again the same thing and it started getting progressively worse from there. The end result was that the computer simply would not turn on unless I hit the CMOS reset. This board exhibited a problem as soon as I got it. The PC was assembled and after shutting it down for the first time it just kept restarting by itself. I called up MSI and asked them why it's doing this and if there is a way to fix it without having to send it back again and they had no clue. I actually ended up finding a fix for this issue myself and I'm fairly certain I found it here on toms. I don't remember exactly what it was but it was a very simple fix that the guys at MSI definitely should have been able to walk me through or at the very least tell me about it. Anyway, I RMA the board again and they tell me they will thoroughly test the replacement board before sending it out.

I got the replacement board and t he PC was assembled yet again. At first, everything was fine. I had no issues at all for months. Finally after months of use without issue, I go to turn on the PC one day and it doesn't turn on. I hit the power button 3 times and then it turned on. Of course as time went on it got worse just like the last one did however, this one still turns on. Half the time the PC powers up from just one press of the power button as it should and the other half I actually have to hold down the power button for 5-10 seconds before it turns on.

I tried calling MSI again and the guy told me it has to be something on my end since I'm the only one having these issues. I know that's bullshit. I told him I've read peoples posts on forums that have the same or similar issues with your boards so don't tell me I'm the only one that's having these problems and his response to that was "it doesn't matter, you're the only one." After he said that I told him that if I am left without my PC for even a single day you're going to issue me a full refund for the board and I'm going to send it back to you.

Here's my build...

i5 4670k
MSI G45 z87
SeasonicX 1050W Gold
MSI 780 Ti Gaming SLI
8Gig Gskill Ripjaw 1600
Noctua NH-D14
Fractal R4 Blackout

 

[rolli59]

PSU can be a cause of those issues as well.

 

[MarkW]

There is a setting in the BIOS that can do that. I recommend going into the BIOS, and using the Reset to Defaults option on the Save/Exit page. And then Save and Exit. That will put everything back to the way it should be in most cases.

 

[ffg7]

or a bad power button switch. next time it does not start up after pressing the power button once, remove the power button connector from the motherboard & short the 2 pins with a screwdriver. if it powers up right away then the button switch needs to be replaced. can use your reset button switch if your case has 1 as had to do that for a customer as her power switch was bad.

 

[boosted1g]

Do as ffg7 suggests.

Also try the paperclip test on the PSU.
Unplug PSU 24 pin connector from mobo, take paperclip and jumper from green wire to any black wire. If psu immediately powers on and powers things plugged into it then it is mobo problem.

 

[Pavel Pokidaylo]

thanks for replies guys I'm going to try these suggestions

 

[Pavel Pokidaylo]

hello again. So today I pressed the button once and the PC turned on. I have not tried anything yet but I will soon.

I also wanted to add a few things here that I forgot to mention in original post and the may help.

This PC wasn't always in the Fractal R4 case it's in now. That last motherboard I mentioned that exhibited problem right after we assembled the PC was actually in a Corsair Carbide 500R case. As I said in the original post, when we assembled the PC with that last motherboard it powered up and worked fine but when we shut it down it just restarted on its own. It would do this every time I tried to shut it down. MSI tech support was clueless and I found a simple fix for it myself here on toms. It was fine for a while but then later it started doing what we are trying to figure out now, not turning on. What I am trying to say is that the problem I am having now was present in the old build as well and that build was in a different case. So while it is definitely possible that it may just be the power button, I think it is unlikely because I had the same problem in the Corsair case.

FFG7- That is actually how I had to turn on my computer with that last motherboard I mentioned. At first when it did not turn on from pressing the button I just had to press it 3 times and it would turn on but it got worse as time went on and I had to press it 10 times for it to turn on and ultimately it got to the point where I would have to put the screwdriver in between the two pins. I would turn off the PSU or unplug the cord before I used the screwdriver but after that I would turn it back on and press the button and the computer would power up.

FFG7- I had to call up Fractal support recently because I needed them to send me another fan but also the LED light around the power button never worked. I asked the guy about this problem I'm having with the computer not turning on and he actually told me the same thing about the reset button. He basically said I could try unplugging the power button from the mobo and plugging the reset button in in its place and try turning it on.

Fractal was actually supposed to have sent me a new front Panel because the LED light bulb never worked and it's stuck in the socket and theres no way to get it out.


Now as for it being the PSU well that is definitely a possibility too but I think it is unlikely. This is a new SeasonicX Gold PSU so I mean it's top of the line. Not saying it's impossible just because it's a good PSU but yea.

Here's one thing though. When I turn on the computer the video card fans spin up and get pretty loud. I don't know why that is happening. Is it normal for this to happen? They spin up pretty quick for about a minute and then go silent again.

 

[rolli59]

It is normal that fans spin up before their drivers are loaded, they control the fans as well. On the PSU it is not unheard of that even top quality units can be faulty.