[thornbird]

So I'm going to start from the very beginning explaining this. After my computer was finally built, sometimes we would have to do this trick where we would have to turn off the power, hold the power button down for 1 minute and then turn power back on and only then the computer would start. I'm just putting this in there if someone can connect it to the problem I'm having now.

 

So the problem I'm having started 1 week after the computer was built. At random times, the whole system would cut, and then after 3 or 4 seconds the power would return to the computer and everything would turn back on again. I managed to fix this for about a month by unplugging the system from my surge protector and plugging it into the wall socket. This seemed to fix it for a month but now the problem is back. 

 

I have a feeling the problem is hardware because once I get a reboot, I get more that happen few minutes after. It also happens sometimes before windows has even booted. 

 

What I've tried: I've run memtest for 4 passes, no errors. I've run stress tests on the CPU and the system stayed stable. I've run stress tests on the GPU and the system stayed stable. I've taken out the RESET SW wire, but it didn't work.

 

My educated guess would be that it's the PSU acting up, but before I RMA it I want to know why I was able to fix it for a month by plugging it into the wall socket, and why it's now come back.

 

Specs

 

GTX 770

I5 4670k @ 3.4ghz

XFX 650W Bronze Edition PSU

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo

Asus Z87 Plus

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated because I am stumped.

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    thornbird

 

Can I ask what case you have please.

 

Removing the surge protector was a good starting point

 

If you have or can borrow another power cord I would try swapping that next, if no improvement try using an alternative wall socket and preferably in another room, if the issue is still present please refer to my canned text below;

 

Remove the MB and do a barebones set-up on a piece of cardboard (make sure it is larger than the MB) only connect the PSU, the GFX card, screen, 1 stick of Ram and the keyboard.

IF your MB doesn`t have a power test switch you will then need to short out the 2 power on pins on the MB header to get the PSU to activate, you can use a small flat bladed screwdriver or a paper clip bent into a U shape, this is perfectly safe if you do not touch anything else, the idea is to see if we can get a BIOS screen if you do you can then add one component at a time until you find the problem component, you must power down and remove the power cord from the wall before adding another component, second suggestion try a known working PSU, it is not unknown for new components to be bad, third suggestion try and loan an ordinary PCI graphics card (not pci-e) again to try and get a BIOS screen.

Other things worth checking include, if you used stand-offs beneath the MB are they in the correct locations (only where there is a screw hole in the MB) otherwise the MB will short out, check for stray screws or bared wires for the same reason, make sure the jumper cap that can be used for clearing the CMOS is not missing or on the wrong pins and finally try removing the CMOS battery for a few moments and then replace it, this will clear any possible bad MB settings.

 

 

 

Let us know how you get on.

 

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[phillpower2]

    thornbird

 

Can I ask what case you have please.

 

Removing the surge protector was a good starting point

 

If you have or can borrow another power cord I would try swapping that next, if no improvement try using an alternative wall socket and preferably in another room, if the issue is still present please refer to my canned text below;

 

Remove the MB and do a barebones set-up on a piece of cardboard (make sure it is larger than the MB) only connect the PSU, the GFX card, screen, 1 stick of Ram and the keyboard.

IF your MB doesn`t have a power test switch you will then need to short out the 2 power on pins on the MB header to get the PSU to activate, you can use a small flat bladed screwdriver or a paper clip bent into a U shape, this is perfectly safe if you do not touch anything else, the idea is to see if we can get a BIOS screen if you do you can then add one component at a time until you find the problem component, you must power down and remove the power cord from the wall before adding another component, second suggestion try a known working PSU, it is not unknown for new components to be bad, third suggestion try and loan an ordinary PCI graphics card (not pci-e) again to try and get a BIOS screen.

Other things worth checking include, if you used stand-offs beneath the MB are they in the correct locations (only where there is a screw hole in the MB) otherwise the MB will short out, check for stray screws or bared wires for the same reason, make sure the jumper cap that can be used for clearing the CMOS is not missing or on the wrong pins and finally try removing the CMOS battery for a few moments and then replace it, this will clear any possible bad MB settings.

 

 

 

Let us know how you get on.

 

NB: So that I can confirm that you have received notification of my reply to your topic please click on the Follow this topic tab at the upper right corner of the page.