Pending: PC being somewhat erratic

mundungu · 09-29-2009

Hello, I am new to these forums. I've looked through several threads regarding PCs not booting, and have so far come up with nothing. I was hoping that someone could help me.

My PC has worked fine for about 6 months, built with the help of a friend. About a week ago, the power on it just went out. The PC then sat there and attempted to restart over and over again... fans come on, case and keyboard lights come on, and then the PC will make it to various stages of boot before the power just dies again. This typically happens during the initial video card text prior to actual boot, though strangely enough it also happens before ever that.

I've gotten the thing to boot up twice now, all the way into Windows XP, but neither time did it last more than a few minutes.

This PC seems to WANT to boot... after a few seconds of the power being it, it'll come back on and try again.

Smokeycheech · 09-29-2009

Hello Mundungu, Welcome to PC Help Forum!

I am sure one of our great techs or helpful members will be able to provide some answers for you

Do you have access to another power supply that your could try to rule that out?

I have marked your thread as open to attract one of our techs to gain their input

Somebody will be with you shortly!

Regards,

Smokeycheech

Amtech · 09-29-2009

Try this:

Disconnect all cables
Open up case (and ground yourself, either with a anti static strap or touch the power supply)
Take out the CPU heatsink/fan
Check that the processor is seated properly and that there is a good covering of thermal paste.

If you can see the top of the processor then there isn't enough thermal compound on the processor. This will cause it to overheat, so will a poorly fixed or broken heatsink fan.

If there isn't enough paste on the processor you will have to buy some and apply it.

If the heatsink fan is broken you will have to buy a new one.

Both products are quite cheap.

One other thing to check / swap out would be the power supply. Try using another, higher rated power supply. eg 50-100W more than your current power supply.

mundungu · 09-29-2009

I have checked the CPU/Heatsink/Fan, and there was indeed plenty of thermal paste on it. The fan is one of the few things on the system that will start up with power.

It's interesting now though, the thing won't even attempt to power up with a push of the power button, unless I push it a several times. I've checked the cables inside and they seem fine. According to the power calculator I've found mention to on this site, the system shouldn't require more than 235W of power, and mine is a 450W.

I will have to hunt around and find another PSU to try. This is the one that came with my X-Qpack 2 microATX case.

mundungu · 09-29-2009

Just tried another PSU, one that works just fine in another system. Same exact problem.

Amtech · 09-29-2009

Are you able to access Safe Mode?

Restart/turn on the PC and press F5 repeatedly.

Then select Safe Mode

If that does work then run virus and antispyware scans if you have the software for it.

Also click Start > Run and type in chkdsk /f > OK

If Safe Mode doesn't work then you need to check/swap out the following:

Make sure that the power connectors (20 pin and 4 pin) are firmly pushed in
Try removing all USB devices, even the mouse and keyboard
Try removing/replacing the graphics card or using oboard video if possible
Remove all RAM and try booting the PC with only one stick of RAM
Verify that the motherboard isn't touching the side of the case and that all standoffs are being used.

Make each change one at a time. The only other things to try then would be the hard drive and the processor.

Also, when you turn the PC on press F2/Del to enter BIOS. Go to the Hardware Monitor section of the BIOS and make a note of the CPU temperature and other temperatures. Anything about 60-70C is bad.

DCiAdmin · 10-07-2009

Mundungu,

Have you had an opportunity to try Amtech's suggestion? An update would be appreciated.

09-29-2009	#1
mundungu Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3 PC Experience: PC Illiterate	PC being somewhat erratic Hello, I am new to these forums. I've looked through several threads regarding PCs not booting, and have so far come up with nothing. I was hoping that someone could help me. My PC has worked fine for about 6 months, built with the help of a friend. About a week ago, the power on it just went out. The PC then sat there and attempted to restart over and over again... fans come on, case and keyboard lights come on, and then the PC will make it to various stages of boot before the power just dies again. This typically happens during the initial video card text prior to actual boot, though strangely enough it also happens before ever that. I've gotten the thing to boot up twice now, all the way into Windows XP, but neither time did it last more than a few minutes. This PC seems to WANT to boot... after a few seconds of the power being it, it'll come back on and try again.

09-29-2009	#2
Smokeycheech Mod Team Leader Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Skynet HQ (kinda near PCHF bunker) Posts: 3,322 PC Experience: Learning more every day!	Re: PC being somewhat erratic Hello Mundungu, Welcome to PC Help Forum! I am sure one of our great techs or helpful members will be able to provide some answers for you Do you have access to another power supply that your could try to rule that out? I have marked your thread as open to attract one of our techs to gain their input Somebody will be with you shortly! Regards, Smokeycheech __________________ Prework~Speedfan~CCleaner~Rules~PCWizard~BSOD *If an elephant never forgets, how come they never win mastermind?*

09-29-2009	#3
Amtech Tech Support Team Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Bolton Posts: 1,625 PC Experience: Some Experience	Re: PC being somewhat erratic Try this: Disconnect all cables Open up case (and ground yourself, either with a anti static strap or touch the power supply) Take out the CPU heatsink/fan Check that the processor is seated properly and that there is a good covering of thermal paste. If you can see the top of the processor then there isn't enough thermal compound on the processor. This will cause it to overheat, so will a poorly fixed or broken heatsink fan. If there isn't enough paste on the processor you will have to buy some and apply it. If the heatsink fan is broken you will have to buy a new one. Both products are quite cheap. One other thing to check / swap out would be the power supply. Try using another, higher rated power supply. eg 50-100W more than your current power supply. __________________ File Recovery Removing CMOS Battery ASTRA32 (Device Drivers)

09-29-2009	#4
mundungu Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3 PC Experience: PC Illiterate	Re: PC being somewhat erratic I have checked the CPU/Heatsink/Fan, and there was indeed plenty of thermal paste on it. The fan is one of the few things on the system that will start up with power. It's interesting now though, the thing won't even attempt to power up with a push of the power button, unless I push it a several times. I've checked the cables inside and they seem fine. According to the power calculator I've found mention to on this site, the system shouldn't require more than 235W of power, and mine is a 450W. I will have to hunt around and find another PSU to try. This is the one that came with my X-Qpack 2 microATX case.

09-29-2009	#5
mundungu Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3 PC Experience: PC Illiterate	Re: PC being somewhat erratic Just tried another PSU, one that works just fine in another system. Same exact problem.

09-29-2009	#6
Amtech Tech Support Team Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Bolton Posts: 1,625 PC Experience: Some Experience	Re: PC being somewhat erratic Are you able to access Safe Mode? Restart/turn on the PC and press F5 repeatedly. Then select Safe Mode If that does work then run virus and antispyware scans if you have the software for it. Also click Start > Run and type in chkdsk /f > OK If Safe Mode doesn't work then you need to check/swap out the following: Make sure that the power connectors (20 pin and 4 pin) are firmly pushed in Try removing all USB devices, even the mouse and keyboard Try removing/replacing the graphics card or using oboard video if possible Remove all RAM and try booting the PC with only one stick of RAM Verify that the motherboard isn't touching the side of the case and that all standoffs are being used. Make each change one at a time. The only other things to try then would be the hard drive and the processor. Also, when you turn the PC on press F2/Del to enter BIOS. Go to the Hardware Monitor section of the BIOS and make a note of the CPU temperature and other temperatures. Anything about 60-70C is bad. __________________ File Recovery Removing CMOS Battery ASTRA32 (Device Drivers)

10-07-2009	#7
DCiAdmin Tech Team Leader Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Heart of the US Midwest Posts: 7,470 PC Experience: Perpetual Student	Re: PC being somewhat erratic Mundungu, Have you had an opportunity to try Amtech's suggestion? An update would be appreciated. __________________ DCiAdmin *PCHF Rules* / *PreWork* / *AfterWork* / *PCHF Downloads* / *System File Checker* Thank you for entrusting your system to PCHF!

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