Two (!) systems suddenly crashes with no POST.

[centerbord]

So, in my household we have three desktop computers. Suddenly one of them crashes. It is a new built HTPC system, ASUS F1A55 motherboard with standard components. Screen goes black, after that when I try to start it the HDD spins and fans start for a second then stop. No POST beep and nothing on screen. To test the PSU I take the PSU from another working computer. No difference.

I then reinsert the working PSU into the second computer only to get the same error, this time fans keep spinning but no POST. This computer worked perfectly but when I moved the PSU to check comp no 1 and reinstall it has stopped working.

With both computers I have cleared all components one by one with same result. I have removed the battery and cleared CMOS, no change. I've tried different power outlets, no change.

Is it pure coincidence that 2 MB crashed within 2 days? Can I do anything else in ways of diagnostics? All three comps are of different generations and unfortunately components are (CPU, memory) are not compatible.

I would very much appreciate any input on this.

Regards

Björn

 

[alexoiu]

Is there an internal speaker available, for connecting it to the motherboard and see if any beeps?

 

[centerbord]

Yes, there is an internal speaker and no, no beeps.

 

[alexoiu]

Try starting the board, only CPU and CPU fan installed. If the fan does spin, but no beeps, then the board, or CPU, or both do not work.

 

[centerbord]

This I did with both setups. For the HTPC the fan spins for a second and then stops, no beep. For the other system the fan keeps spinning until I turn it off. No beep. But why did this happen? I understand that hardware sometimes fail but two motherboards in two days?

 

[alexoiu]

HTPC - I'd RMA power supply, motherboard and CPU
The other PC - motherboard and CPU as not sure which one is defective.

 

[mcaren]

Hi Bjorn - I have no idea what's causing your crashes, but thought you might want to check for a problem I had a few years ago. I'd killed 2 monitors in 2 days - and had some weird video card issues in the months prior to that. I'd kept 2 of the "problem" video cards (in case my diagnosis was wrong) - and inspected them again. Some of what I think are capacitors on the video cards ( they look like small cylindrical batteries on the video card) had burst a bit - which I think indicates a possible electrical surge. We go through light bulbs in our house like candy, so I do suspect our electrical system is glitchy.

I read that using UPS battery backup units can "clean" or somehow provide more stable electrical currents, so we invested in several for our household electronics. We've had no more mysterious fried computer parts since.

I don't know if either your household electrical system or perhaps your power supply might be at fault, but it might be worth investigating.

Good luck!

Monica