Wierdest problem I've run into ever..

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swedishmeatballs

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Jan 4, 2014
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Let me start by apologising for the (very likely) horrible format of this post, I'm on my phone typing this out at three in the morning.

I built my own computer some months ago and I had some trouble at first which all came down to me not being able to install an OS. After sorting that out it's been smooth sailing save for one maybe two blue screens.

A couple of days ago things started getting wierd- computer not booting first try, then first few tries and so on. Yesterday was horrible and I started her up (succesfully) two times, in the morning and when I got back from work. It was a dance between restarts until I got to restore to an earlier point which let me log on. (I got the prompt both times after restarting 10-15 times.

Today I started the computer up fine first try but it hung up and rebooted after a little while. I opened up the case to look at the led lights during post and here's where one part of the problem is; Sometimes it cycles through fine and hangs at the asus logo. Sometimes it passes dram and the vga led keeps lit. Sometimes (and most often along with vga) the boot led stays lit. It just can't decide what's wrong.

I formatted and did a fresh windows 7 install and now I can't get into bios anymore for the moment. I get a screen telling me to enter bios setup but when I press enter to do so I get a black screen.

I have tried resetting cmos, unplugging the battery, reconnected hd wires, taking out and putting in both the cpu and the videocard, cleaning out the hs and attaching it real properly, resetting bios to default settings (I could get into bios prior to reinstalling w7), unplugging every usb device (only use kb+mice anyway), tried other outlets, other power cables and that's about it.

I just can't imagine what the problem is except some ghost in the machine, bios going haywire or a faulty component. I'm really hoping that this is a bios issue because I'm not too eager to buy new components for this relatively new pc. Also because I haven't tried anything bios related that I haven't listed already.

Talk to me like I'm a child. I'm not dumb by any means but I really can't figure this out and anything you might have to add is helpful.

I'll list all the parts tomorrow when I have access to the boxes they came in. I keep them at work for some stupid reason. 🙂

If it is actually broken and we (read: you, smart computer guy) figure out what's causing the problem I might refer this thread to the webshop where I bought all the parts so I might get a refund.

-Tired guy
 
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When you have this problem, you did try the right way to troubleshoot, but you may need do it one by one, like the link "Troubleshooting ideas" http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-post-boot-video-problems
1) Check all the connectors.
2) Only connect cpu with the cooler, GPU, Keyboard/mouse, not HDD/SSD, RAM, other hardware, boot the PC. Because you don't have the onboard GPU if you have then it is much better. Or try the other worked GPU if you had one.
3) If you get the no RAM error code, then add the RAM but only one stick, so you can add other one if the PC can boot with one stick RAM.
4) After try the RAM, then you can connect the SSD/HDD. If the PC can boot add other device.

So you may can find the problem from the step 2 to step 4.
 
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Hey, I didn't fix my problem yet. I spoke with the retailer from which I bought all the parts and they suspected a bad mobo. I sent it in but they couldn't find anything wrong with it so they updated the bios and sent it back.

As stated previously I've tried pretty much everything I could think of. Here's an update:

It sometimes gets stuck at dram led.

When it doesn't, most of the time the vga led stays unlit and nothing happens.

When the vga led 1/20 startups lights up it either keeps going and my pc starts or it stays red and nothing happens.

When I start her up it quickly cycles through (in order) dram then cpu led. (Not vga at all).

I've yet to come across something pc-related this frustrating. Any and all ideas are welcome
 
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I ordered a new harddrive and ram, exact same ram model. The computer does the same thing as described above. I don't have an OS installed, and I can't even get past POST. Any ideas for this one? It most likely isn't the mobo since they couldn't find anything wrong with it at the repair shop. Getting kinda desperate here because of the price tag of that (for now) useless lump of metal.
 
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I went through the second one and at step 7, the ram step, I get stuck. It's just so inconsistent that I can't make anything of it. I get the same result with every combination I try, yes, even when I've tested all 4 of the units seperately.

About 5/20 times it gets past the DRAM led but otherwise it does not. On the few rare occasions it does it isn't certain that the vga led lights up at all.

Could the vga led -not- being cycled through (in that fast phase (before post?)) be a clue?

Thanks for your reply. I've gone through a couple of these guides to no avail and your help is greatly appreciated.
 
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I check the RAM specifications, it can run at voltage from 1.35 ~ 1.5V range, and I think it maybe run in the lower voltage, but I don't know yes or not. So 1) try to install the hwmonitor to see what voltage for the RAM, cpu, also the PSU 12V, 3.3V, and the 5V value if you can boot the PC. 2) If you can't just go into the BIOS, try to set the RAM voltage to 1.5 or 1.55 and try to boot the PC, check your manual and try it. Because if increasing the voltage sometime it will help.

Or install only one stick RAM, and try different slot, etc.

Hwmonitor (1.25 version) download http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html
 
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Can't get into my non-existing OS or bios at the moment. 🙁

The ram must be fine, me and my fiancee bought identical pcs and her pc works fine with my ram units in it. Could the dram led indicate something else?

I would flash bios or something but I literally got it 'fixed up' and updated this week, and they updated the bios and everything.

Resetting cmos does nothing.
 
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That will be much easy, just try to install your fiancé cpu on your MB, if you still have problem that means your MB has problem. Also you can test each components ( like cpu, PSU, GPU, etc.) on her PC too.
 
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Hey guys. Update incoming:

So I spoke with my retailer and sent in my mobo, cpu and ram. They found a scratch on the mobo (no warranty in this case) and I bought a new one. Today I installed it and all of my old components.

It worked fine for a couple of minutes, so I shut it off to fix some cable work behind my desk. When I went to start it up again it doesn't work. Now I've got a piercing red light from my cpu led.

I went through that guide, again, and nothing fixes it.

I tried to disconnect the cpu power cord and start it up and this gave me the same result as with the cord installed, so I'm thinking maybe the connector or the cpu cord is broken? The cpu cooler doesn't get hot, either. Before I sent that mobo in it would mildly burn my finger if I put it on there.

[I tried the cpu in my fiancees pc, in fact, I am using that cpu in the pc I'm typing on right now. The cpu should probably be working fine since switching them out doesn't give me a different result on either computer.]
 
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What MB do you get? is it the same model? The problem maybe from the MB again, because you use your fiancees pc with your cpu in it now. It is very strange, two MB be killed? or something else?

You may check the power outlet, or do you use the power strip? Or check your case to see you used the standoffs or not.
 
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