PC stopped booting.

[Di1997]

Old PC, recently stopped booting.

Basically when I'm pressing turn on button, all fans are turning on, periodically slowing down and speeding up again. As if I had bad CPU or other thing. Before I had this problem when I applied too much of a thermal paste on CPU, which let some of it slip on pins. I've cleaned all thermal paste from CPU and sockets and put it back. It worked normally. Right now because of that actions, I'm throwing off theory that it may be bad CPU.

I've tried next steps to fix PC:

- Remove CMOS, wait 1 hour and put it back.

- Unplug all devices excluding monitor and including hard drive

- Booting it only with one RAM and switching between 2 RAMs.

- Booting it without video card

All of this didn't help at all. More details: PC is ~6 years old; Before that happened, my PC could freeze on startup and only thing to fix it was to restart it. If you need more details to troubleshoot my problem, I would happily answer your questions.

 

[elbert]

Could be a bad PSU or motherboard most likely. Have you got another PSU to test with?

 

[Di1997]

Could be a bad PSU or motherboard most likely. Have you got another PSU to test with?

Tested with different PSU, unfortunately, nothing changed

 

[elbert]

I would suspect your motherboard next unless you have a CPU with bent pins. Dont guess you have a replacement motherboard to test with?

 

[Di1997]

I would suspect your motherboard next unless you have a CPU with bent pins. Dont guess you have a replacement motherboard to test with?

CPU doesn't have any bent pins. Before installing, I ensured that there aren't any. After cleaning, PC worked well for some time (around 1 month). I have another motherboard, but the problem is that mine using AMD processor with pins, while another motherboard that I have uses Intel processor, which has flat surface.

 

[Di1997]

Small update. After trying to turn on my PC, I've noticed that lamp on my casing flashes in repeated pattern: 2 times fast flash, pause, 3 times fast flash, 2 times fast flash and then constantly repeats with 2 times flash. My motherboard is ASrock N68-S

 

[elbert]

The HD indicator I'm not sure what to make of that. You may be better off upgrading the system to a cheap fx.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($57.74 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus - M5A78L-M PLUS/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($45.42 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Kingston - HyperX Fury Blue 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ PCM)
Total: $148.15
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-05-08 22:33 EDT-0400

 

[Di1997]

The HD indicator I'm not sure what to make of that. You may be better off upgrading the system to a cheap fx.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($57.74 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus - M5A78L-M PLUS/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($45.42 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Kingston - HyperX Fury Blue 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ PCM)
Total: $148.15
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-05-08 22:33 EDT-0400

As I understood, there's no way to fix it without replacing hardware?

 

[elbert]

By what you've tryed not getting into bios pretty much means motherboard or CPU. Given how hard it is to get older motherboard or CPU for your system I would suggest a CPU, motherboard, and RAM upgrade. If thats to higher price here is another.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Celeron G3900 2.8GHz Dual-Core Processor ($48.57 @ Jet)
Motherboard: MSI - B150M BAZOOKA Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($41.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial - 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($26.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $117.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-05-11 16:25 EDT-0400

 

[W8TERM3LON]

You've tried removing the battery, but have you tried fully resetting the CMOS?

How to clear the CMOS/BIOS
1.) power down the system
2.) Unplug the power supply
3.) press the power button once to make sure that all remaining electricity is discharged.
4.) remove the CMOS battery. Wait 1 minute just for precautions
5.) use a plastic jumper pin and connect pins 2 and 3, while leaving pin 1 bare. It is usually called JP1 or JBAT1, but in your case it's called CLRCMOS1 (usually closest to the battery)(Some times there isn't a pin 3.)
6.) Remove the plastic jumper pin or return it back to pins 1 and 2. Then put back the battery and plug in the power supply.

Also For what I know, thermal paste really isn't conductive, unless in considerable amounts, but it can show capacitive properties.

Did you ground yourself before messing with the cpu? There is a possibility that you might have destroyed something vital through static electricity.

Edit: added a guide on how to reset CMOS

 

[Di1997]

By what you've tryed not getting into bios pretty much means motherboard or CPU. Given how hard it is to get older motherboard or CPU for your system I would suggest a CPU, motherboard, and RAM upgrade. If thats to higher price here is another.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Celeron G3900 2.8GHz Dual-Core Processor ($48.57 @ Jet)
Motherboard: MSI - B150M BAZOOKA Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($41.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial - 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($26.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $117.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-05-11 16:25 EDT-0400

I'll keep this solution for later then. When I'll get enough money for an upgrade

 

[Di1997]

You've tried removing the battery, but have you tried fully resetting the CMOS?

How to clear the CMOS/BIOS
1.) power down the system
2.) Unplug the power supply
3.) press the power button once to make sure that all remaining electricity is discharged.
4.) remove the CMOS battery. Wait 1 minute just for precautions
5.) use a plastic jumper pin and connect pins 2 and 3, while leaving pin 1 bare. It is usually called JP1 or JBAT1, but in your case it's called CLRCMOS1 (usually closest to the battery)(Some times there isn't a pin 3.)
6.) Remove the plastic jumper pin or return it back to pins 1 and 2. Then put back the battery and plug in the power supply.

Also For what I know, thermal paste really isn't conductive, unless in considerable amounts, but it can show capacitive properties.

Did you ground yourself before messing with the cpu? There is a possibility that you might have destroyed something vital through static electricity.

Edit: added a guide on how to reset CMOS

Will try full reset, and as for grounding, I always discharge PC before I do something in it if I understood you correctly

 

[Di1997]

You've tried removing the battery, but have you tried fully resetting the CMOS?

How to clear the CMOS/BIOS
1.) power down the system
2.) Unplug the power supply
3.) press the power button once to make sure that all remaining electricity is discharged.
4.) remove the CMOS battery. Wait 1 minute just for precautions
5.) use a plastic jumper pin and connect pins 2 and 3, while leaving pin 1 bare. It is usually called JP1 or JBAT1, but in your case it's called CLRCMOS1 (usually closest to the battery)(Some times there isn't a pin 3.)
6.) Remove the plastic jumper pin or return it back to pins 1 and 2. Then put back the battery and plug in the power supply.

Also For what I know, thermal paste really isn't conductive, unless in considerable amounts, but it can show capacitive properties.

Did you ground yourself before messing with the cpu? There is a possibility that you might have destroyed something vital through static electricity.

Edit: added a guide on how to reset CMOS

Related to CMOS reset. I didn't find any plastic jumper pins nor any way to reset. The slot, where I put CMOS looks like just a normal battery slot without any hints on what else I can do. I've tried to boot PC without CMOS, still. Same flashing pattern on the front of my PC

 

[W8TERM3LON]

You've tried removing the battery, but have you tried fully resetting the CMOS?

How to clear the CMOS/BIOS
1.) power down the system
2.) Unplug the power supply
3.) press the power button once to make sure that all remaining electricity is discharged.
4.) remove the CMOS battery. Wait 1 minute just for precautions
5.) use a plastic jumper pin and connect pins 2 and 3, while leaving pin 1 bare. It is usually called JP1 or JBAT1, but in your case it's called CLRCMOS1 (usually closest to the battery)(Some times there isn't a pin 3.)
6.) Remove the plastic jumper pin or return it back to pins 1 and 2. Then put back the battery and plug in the power supply.

Also For what I know, thermal paste really isn't conductive, unless in considerable amounts, but it can show capacitive properties.

Did you ground yourself before messing with the cpu? There is a possibility that you might have destroyed something vital through static electricity.

Edit: added a guide on how to reset CMOS

Related to CMOS reset. I didn't find any plastic jumper pins nor any way to reset. The slot, where I put CMOS looks like just a normal battery slot without any hints on what else I can do. I've tried to boot PC without CMOS, still. Same flashing pattern on the front of my PC

Sometimes motherboards don't have a plastic jumper pins on them. btw this is what im talking about

and this is it on a motherboard

You could try using the jumper pin off old IDE drives if you can't find a jumper. Or you could also try shorting it out with a flathead.(Though do it at your own risk. Usually it's safe, I've done it many times) If you're really desperate you can try soldering a wire to 2 and 3 (I don't recommend you do this as it would be quite hard to reset later on, and when replacing the cap.
Also if you need to buy jumper caps these should be readily available from your local Micro Center or from amazon.

Also a lost cmos jumper cap might also be a reason as why the pc doesn't boot.

 

[W8TERM3LON]

Small update. After trying to turn on my PC, I've noticed that lamp on my casing flashes in repeated pattern: 2 times fast flash, pause, 3 times fast flash, 2 times fast flash and then constantly repeats with 2 times flash. My motherboard is ASrock N68-S

Wait the Motherboard LED or the standby LED?

 

[Di1997]

Small update. After trying to turn on my PC, I've noticed that lamp on my casing flashes in repeated pattern: 2 times fast flash, pause, 3 times fast flash, 2 times fast flash and then constantly repeats with 2 times flash. My motherboard is ASrock N68-S

Wait the Motherboard LED or the standby LED?

I believe it's a standby one (which is near power button)

 

[Di1997]

You've tried removing the battery, but have you tried fully resetting the CMOS?

How to clear the CMOS/BIOS
1.) power down the system
2.) Unplug the power supply
3.) press the power button once to make sure that all remaining electricity is discharged.
4.) remove the CMOS battery. Wait 1 minute just for precautions
5.) use a plastic jumper pin and connect pins 2 and 3, while leaving pin 1 bare. It is usually called JP1 or JBAT1, but in your case it's called CLRCMOS1 (usually closest to the battery)(Some times there isn't a pin 3.)
6.) Remove the plastic jumper pin or return it back to pins 1 and 2. Then put back the battery and plug in the power supply.

Also For what I know, thermal paste really isn't conductive, unless in considerable amounts, but it can show capacitive properties.

Did you ground yourself before messing with the cpu? There is a possibility that you might have destroyed something vital through static electricity.

Edit: added a guide on how to reset CMOS

Related to CMOS reset. I didn't find any plastic jumper pins nor any way to reset. The slot, where I put CMOS looks like just a normal battery slot without any hints on what else I can do. I've tried to boot PC without CMOS, still. Same flashing pattern on the front of my PC

Sometimes motherboards don't have a plastic jumper pins on them. btw this is what im talking about

and this is it on a motherboard

You could try using the jumper pin off old IDE drives if you can't find a jumper. Or you could also try shorting it out with a flathead.(Though do it at your own risk. Usually it's safe, I've done it many times) If you're really desperate you can try soldering a wire to 2 and 3 (I don't recommend you do this as it would be quite hard to reset later on, and when replacing the cap.
Also if you need to buy jumper caps these should be readily available from your local Micro Center or from amazon.

Also a lost cmos jumper cap might also be a reason as why the pc doesn't boot.

Small update related to this one: Tried to do what you asked, unfortunately, it didn't help.

 

[W8TERM3LON]

You've tried removing the battery, but have you tried fully resetting the CMOS?

How to clear the CMOS/BIOS
1.) power down the system
2.) Unplug the power supply
3.) press the power button once to make sure that all remaining electricity is discharged.
4.) remove the CMOS battery. Wait 1 minute just for precautions
5.) use a plastic jumper pin and connect pins 2 and 3, while leaving pin 1 bare. It is usually called JP1 or JBAT1, but in your case it's called CLRCMOS1 (usually closest to the battery)(Some times there isn't a pin 3.)
6.) Remove the plastic jumper pin or return it back to pins 1 and 2. Then put back the battery and plug in the power supply.

Also For what I know, thermal paste really isn't conductive, unless in considerable amounts, but it can show capacitive properties.

Did you ground yourself before messing with the cpu? There is a possibility that you might have destroyed something vital through static electricity.

Edit: added a guide on how to reset CMOS

Related to CMOS reset. I didn't find any plastic jumper pins nor any way to reset. The slot, where I put CMOS looks like just a normal battery slot without any hints on what else I can do. I've tried to boot PC without CMOS, still. Same flashing pattern on the front of my PC

Sometimes motherboards don't have a plastic jumper pins on them. btw this is what im talking about

and this is it on a motherboard

You could try using the jumper pin off old IDE drives if you can't find a jumper. Or you could also try shorting it out with a flathead.(Though do it at your own risk. Usually it's safe, I've done it many times) If you're really desperate you can try soldering a wire to 2 and 3 (I don't recommend you do this as it would be quite hard to reset later on, and when replacing the cap.
Also if you need to buy jumper caps these should be readily available from your local Micro Center or from amazon.

Also a lost cmos jumper cap might also be a reason as why the pc doesn't boot.

Small update related to this one: Tried to do what you asked, unfortunately, it didn't help.

hmm you might have a fried mobo then. I mean you've tried pretty much everything possible so far. I'll give you any updates if I remember any other ways.

 

[Di1997]

hmm you might have a fried mobo then. I mean you've tried pretty much everything possible so far. I'll give you any updates if I remember any other ways.

Recently I found out the reason: As long as there aren't any RAM in 1st RAM socket (and at least one RAM in second one), PC boots well. Any ideas what may cause this?

 

[elbert]

Anything from a bad motherboard, Damaged DIMM slot, or over tightened CPU heatsink.

 

[Di1997]

Anything from a bad motherboard, Damaged DIMM slot, or over tightened CPU heatsink.

Maybe 1st or second. But how do I check for overtightened CPU heatsink?

 

[elbert]

Not something you can test for as it pulls the wiring apart. You can try loosening the heatsink but rarly would work. Your pretty much stuck as is or buy a new motherboard. May be time for an upgrade. I posted a few upgrades up top. Here is a higher end upgrade if want.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1400 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($165.87 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI - B350 PC MATE ATX AM4 Motherboard ($84.33 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($68.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $319.19
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-05-20 10:38 EDT-0400

 

[Di1997]

Thanks, I've already tried to build a high-end PC. Will take some time