System Wouldn't Start, Suddenly Is Starting Again

[NJAldwin]

As you can read in this post, after my PSU blew, I replaced it and the computer was working normally, until it suddenly shut down with no warning and wouldn't restart. Applying power would cause it to turn on for ~1/10th of a second then shut off again (even with just the mobo+cpu, nothing else).

So, I went and found my G.P. Diagnostic Card. I plugged it in today (two days after the shutdown) and suddenly it powers up normally again, with the check code eventually reaching 00 (Leave BIOS and pass control to OS). At this point I just have the mobo, CPU, and RAM plugged in.

At this point, I'm not sure what to think. Why would it suddenly work again? Is it possible that some component was damaged when the PSU blew, and it only manifests its damage when it heats up after a bit of usage? I don't even know.

I had been making plans to put together a new computer (even though I'd been hoping this one would last me until at least the end of the year). Not sure if I should still go along with the plans to build a new computer, or just put this one back together. It might fail again! I still don't know why it failed with the new PSU on Tuesday, and that's making me worried. Is there any other test I can try? Does anyone have any ideas for what might be up?

 

[C12Friedman]

I'm going to suggest that your new PSU isn't quite up to it's task here, what make and model PSU? Were you doing any tasks such as launching a game when it shut down? And what are your full system specs?

 

[NJAldwin]

It's a 1000W PSU, exact same model as before. When it shut down, I was not doing anything. I had been playing a game about an hour earlier with no problems. And the system wouldn't boot on Tuesday even after I'd stripped it down to just the mobo & CPU.

Relevant Specs (everything's a little over 3 years old, of course meaning everything's out of warranty):
- ASUS P6T6 Revolution Workstation Motherboard
- Intel i7 920
- 1000W KingWin Mach 1 Power Supply
- 2x GTX 260 (896MB ea)
- 12GB DDR3

 

[SamGriffiths]

It's a 1000W PSU, exact same model as before. When it shut down, I was not doing anything. I had been playing a game about an hour earlier with no problems. And the system wouldn't boot on Tuesday even after I'd stripped it down to just the mobo & CPU.

Relevant Specs (everything's a little over 3 years old, of course meaning everything's out of warranty):
- ASUS P6T6 Revolution Workstation Motherboard
- Intel i7 920
- 1000W KingWin Mach 1 Power Supply
- 2x GTX 260 (896MB ea)
- 12GB DDR3

Magical things them computers, try cleaning out all the dust. And just be happy that it's working =P

 

[NJAldwin]

I had cleaned out all the dust on Tuesday. And it's too much of a coincidence to be magic. And I'm not happy that it's working because I don't know when it'll stop working again.

 

[C12Friedman]

Where any of your connectors loose possibly and have since been pushed in? You might ensure that the screw rings are tight at the PSU (I have that same PSU in my gaming rig) - I found mine either vibrated a little loose or I hadn't tightened them all the way (which I still can't believe that possibility) 'cause last time I cleaned my computer, two were a tad bit loose. Something to check anyway

 

[NJAldwin]

On Tuesday I had unplugged absolutely everything, then re-plugged the PSU in tightly. Nothing else was plugged in. I had ensured that the screw-rings were tight when I installed it on Tuesday, but as I say it wasn't even running with nothing plugged in other than the mobo (the cables for which have no screw-ring).

 

[C12Friedman]

Is the PSU on a relatively new surge protector or UPS system? Old surge protector or old UPS? Going with issues I've had...

 

[NJAldwin]

It was on a ~2y/o surge protector, but I tried swapping out for another surge protector and even another power cable.

 

[C12Friedman]

I ask about the surge protector because they (apparently) have lifespans - I think I'm going to suspect a surge to the PSU which caused it to shut down - then requiring a period to reset, I'm blanking on other possibilities at the moment (they'll come to me later I suspect - if there are other answers)

 

[NJAldwin]

I see what you're saying, but the surge protector's protection light is still on (supposedly it'll go off once it's no longer providing a good amount of protection), and I'd be really surprised if the PSU's reset period was so long (on Tuesday I kept trying it periodically for ~8 hours). Nothing else connected to the surge protector (monitors, router, speakers, etc) had any problems.

 

[C12Friedman]

Okay, now I'm classifying this as a 'stumper' - means, I'm going to figure it out, just may take a little research. I hate being unable to figure things out - there's gotta be an answer here

 

[C12Friedman]

After a week of researching possibilities, I'm no closer to figuring this out than I was then. I think I'm not going to figure it either unless I can replicate the issue and I don't want to do that with my gaming rig. I think I'll have to re-classify this as a mystery and hope you don't have this issue again... too strange