PC lights on but nobody home - Teh Forum

<body> <div id="header"> <span class="left"> <span class="back"><a href="lthread_list.php?webtag=DEFAULT"><span class="image mobile_back" title="Back"></span></a></span> <span class="image mobile_logo" title="Beehive Forum Logo"></span> </span> <ul> <li> <a class="reply_all" href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.0&return_msg=41538.25"> <span class="image mobile_reply_all"></span><span class="text">Reply to All</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="navigation" href="#"> <span class="image mobile_navigation"></span><span class="text">Show messages</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="main" href="#"><span class="image mobile_menu" title="Menu"></span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="menu main"> <ul> <li><a href="lthread_list.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Messages</a></li> <li><a href="lpm.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Inbox</a></li> <li><a href="lsearch.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Search</a></li> <li><a href="llogon.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Login</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="menu navigation"><a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.1">1–10</a><a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.11">11–20</a><a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.21">21–30</a><a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.31">31–40</a>…<a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.51">51–60</a></div> <div id="page_content"> <h3 class="thread_title"><a href="index.php?webtag=DEFAULT&amp;msg=41538.25">PC lights on but nobody home</a> </h3> <div id="messages" data-navigation="41538_25_60_10"> <a name="a41538_25"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_25"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: milko<span class="message_time">22 Jul 2015 07:39</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: william (WILLIAMA) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 22 Jul 2015 07:39"></span></span> <span class="message_count">25 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.25">41538.25</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.24">41538.24</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Yes... But once I unplugged it again (and I'd had the same HDD on moments earlier no problem) it still wouldn't work. So unless it outright killed the PSU, I dunno.<br /> <br /> My mobo has a power button on the board itself so I'm reasonably satisfied the case isn't a problem. </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.25&return_msg=41538.25" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.25"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_26"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_26"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: milko<span class="message_time">22 Jul 2015 09:14</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: milko <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 22 Jul 2015 09:14"></span></span> <span class="message_count">26 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.26">41538.26</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.25#a41538_25" target="_self">41538.25</a></div> <div class="message_body"> This morning, I tried PSU with paperclip plugged into nothing and it switched on at correct voltages again. Then I went to work. </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.26&return_msg=41538.25" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.26"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_27"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_27"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: william (WILLIAMA)<span class="message_time">22 Jul 2015 10:56</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: milko <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 22 Jul 2015 11:18"></span></span> <span class="message_count">27 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.27">41538.27</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.25#a41538_26" target="_self">41538.26</a></div> <div class="message_body"> When I found myself with a similar dilemma a few weeks ago, I was happy that the motherboard was faulty as the multimeter readings for the PSU were fine and it powered a hard drive, fans etc perfectly well when not connected to the board. It was also a reasonably expensive item even if not quite up there with yours.<br /><br /> However, I decided that I couldn't be sure, and as I hadn't done any PC building for ages I bought a new motherboard/CPU/memory and a new PSU. The old CPU was an early i5 and as compatible second hand motherboards are stupidly expensive, I couldn't reuse it.<br /><br /> I was then left with the old PSU which I used to build a second PC/Server using an old Athlon 64 and motherboard from the I-can't-throw-that-away pile. I learned a lot about the fibs told by Nvidia and several mobo manufacturers about how much memory the early Nforce chipset/bios combo could support (up to 4GB but only if you could find memory modules that nobody actually made) and had fun playing with it until it started making crackly noises and finally the PSU burst into flame with a loud bang.<br /><br /> So my present theory is that the PSU may well have killed the original motherboard by serving up generous portions of voltage at inappropriate moments.<br /><br /> Of course, I then decided to buy an ultra cheap PSU and discovered that I could make use of my old i5 and memory with a new motherboard from Gearbest who manufacture a whole range of boards based on old chipsets for a far more reasonable price than second hand ones fetch on ebay. Expensive things computers.</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.27&return_msg=41538.25" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.27"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_28"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_28"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: milko<span class="message_time">22 Jul 2015 11:22</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: william (WILLIAMA) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 22 Jul 2015 12:05"></span></span> <span class="message_count">28 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.28">41538.28</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.25#a41538_27" target="_self">41538.27</a></div> <div class="message_body"> My motherboard, CPU, RAM and PSU are all second hand from the same bloke, who has the most ridiculous leading-edge kit all the time and sells it on as soon as the bleeding edge moves on. While this means I got good stuff cheap it does leave me with a bit of a replacement dilemma, should I ever get to the bottom of this mystery. I doubt I'll go like-for-like in quality on any of it.<br /><br /> But yeah, first I have to figure out this nonsense. I suppose tonight I'll go through the whole chain again but maybe only plug in the SSD drive and not the mechanical one at first. Or something.</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.28&return_msg=41538.25" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.28"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_29"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_29"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: milko<span class="message_time">22 Jul 2015 20:03</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: ALL<span class="message_count">29 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.29">41538.29</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Ok. Set the whole power chain up again. If I plug in everything but the motherboard, and short the ATX pins with a paperclip, it powers on. So, motherboard failing, right? Switched it off again to think about the next thing I can do. Except I just thought "oh yeah, recheck voltage" and went back to it and now it will NOT power on. Wtf? Argh!</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.29&return_msg=41538.25" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.29"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_30"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_30"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: CHYRON (DSMITHHFX)<span class="message_time">22 Jul 2015 20:11</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: milko <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 22 Jul 2015 20:21"></span></span> <span class="message_count">30 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.30">41538.30</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.25#a41538_29" target="_self">41538.29</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Did you try another psu already? Starting to sound like it's your problem.</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.30&return_msg=41538.25" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.30"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_31"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_31"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: milko<span class="message_time">22 Jul 2015 20:23</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: CHYRON (DSMITHHFX) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 22 Jul 2015 20:43"></span></span> <span class="message_count">31 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.31">41538.31</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.25#a41538_30" target="_self">41538.30</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Would have to buy one to do that I think (though I'll raid the server room at work tomorrow just to check) so I'm trying to avoid it until I'm sure. It is increasingly more likely... But I kinda feel like the motherboard or something on it could yet be the culprit somehow.<br /> <br /> After leaving it a while then trying again it switches on and let's me read a good voltage. It really seems that connecting the motherboard is the step that jiggers it and puts the PSU into some kind of safety mode that shuts off the power for a bit. <div class="edit_text">EDITED: 22 Jul 2015 20:33 by MILKO</div> </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.31&return_msg=41538.25" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.31"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_32"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_32"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: CHYRON (DSMITHHFX)<span class="message_time">22 Jul 2015 20:44</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: milko <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 22 Jul 2015 21:21"></span></span> <span class="message_count">32 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.32">41538.32</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.25#a41538_31" target="_self">41538.31</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Maybe it has overheating protection. Does it get noticeably warm?</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.32&return_msg=41538.25" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.32"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_33"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_33"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: milko<span class="message_time">22 Jul 2015 21:22</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: CHYRON (DSMITHHFX) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 22 Jul 2015 22:23"></span></span> <span class="message_count">33 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.33">41538.33</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.25#a41538_32" target="_self">41538.32</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Nope. Also a cold start plugged in is a fail, but while I've got it running in whatever form I can leave it for plenty of time no trouble. </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.33&return_msg=41538.25" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.33"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a41538_34"></a><div class="message" id="message_41538_34"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: william (WILLIAMA)<span class="message_time">22 Jul 2015 22:19</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: milko <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 23 Jul 2015 10:26"></span></span> <span class="message_count">34 of 60</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.34">41538.34</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=41538.25#a41538_33" target="_self">41538.33</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Your theory looks pretty good. I see that the BeQuiet P8 1200W has several clever protective measures which a broken motherboard would probably trigger - like short circuit/under voltage/over voltage etc. etc. all of which turn the PSU off (and probably keep it off for a while).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bequiet.com/en/powersupply/10">http://www.bequiet.com/en/powersupply/10</a><br /><br /><br /> Edit: not sure that link's right, but I think the tech details are the same.<br /><br /> Edit Edit: the link's OK<div class="edit_text">EDITED: 22 Jul 2015 22:29 by WILLIAMA</div> </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=41538.34&return_msg=41538.25" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="41538.34"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="message_page_footer"> <ul> <li class="right_col"><form accept-charset="utf-8" method="get" action="lmessages.php" target="_self"><input type="hidden" name="webtag" id="webtag" class="bhinputtext" value="DEFAULT" dir="ltr" /><input type="hidden" name="msg" id="msg" class="bhinputtext" value="41538.35" dir="ltr" /><input type="submit" name="submit" id="keep_reading" value="Keep reading…" class="button" /></form></li> </ul> </div> </div> </body>