System won't post

[Alex.the.Riddler]

Hey all, so here are my possibly relevant specs:

 

CPU: AMD FX 6350

Mobo: MSI 970 Gaming (also MSI 970a-G43)

RAM: 8GB Corsair Vengeance 1600Mhz

GPU: Powercolor Radeon HD 7950 Boost State

PSU: Rosewill Hive 650W

 

 

My system has been running fine for about 18 months now (with the 970 gaming for about the last 4 months), when out of the blue it crashed as I was just surfing the internet. 

 

If the 6 pin power cables are connected to the graphics card: When I attempt to power the system up, the fans do a quick jerk and then the power is killed. 

 

If the 6 pin power cables aren't connected (regardless of whether the graphics card is connected via PCIe): System powers on and gives me 1 long beep followed by 2 short beeps. This means an error with the graphics card (which makes sense). Since my system doesn't have onboard graphics, I have no idea if it is booting normally in this state, but it at least remains powered on until i turn it off.

 

I've tried swapping motherboards, but the results are the same. I think it's either the PSU (only partially failing) or the graphics card, but I'm not sure how to narrow it down further. Can anyone help?

 

Thanks a lot!

Alex

[Icefire555]

A sign of a failing PSU is intermittent booting. (Starts powering on, shuts off, powers on partly, shuts off agian, ect)

I would think it's a psu issue. However if you want to be sure, try sticking your GPU in a another computer and see if you can run a display with it (you shouldn't need drivers)

 

I actually have a server that has the same issue as of last month. It wouldn't start up all the way, but it posted. and then it just powered down. I removed the gpu from it and it works fine. I also tested the gpu and it works fine. Just a crummy dying psu.

 

One thing to remember is. The wattage printed on a psu is normally the max wattage at a specific temp. Over time the components ware and begin to work less and less. so over time the max wattage will slowly lower. That's why I personally went overkill and got a 1kw psu for my gaming rig.

[ANewFace]

This is why you don't buy Roswill PSUs

[Alex.the.Riddler]

Alright, I'm going to borrow a PSU tester from my friend. Hopefully that will verify that it is the problem.

[Icefire555]

This is why you don't buy Roswill PSUs

I run a Roswill PSU and have had it for 5 years now.

[Icefire555]

Alright, I'm going to borrow a PSU tester from my friend. Hopefully that will verify that it is the problem.

I don't believe a PSU tester will show the problems of the PSU under load. (Correct me if I'm wrong)

I think it just checks voltages on each wire.

[samcool55]

Could also be the motherboard that's dead, has the same symptoms. But if the psu is bad, you can try to boot without the 7950, if it keeps running, bad PSU, if it's still "dying" could be the motherboard then. 

[Icefire555]

Could also be the motherboard that's dead, has the same symptoms. But if the psu is bad, you can try to boot without the 7950, if it keeps running, bad PSU, if it's still "dying" could be the motherboard then. 

 

 

Hey all, so here are my possibly relevant specs:

 

CPU: AMD FX 6350

Mobo: MSI 970 Gaming (also MSI 970a-G43)

RAM: 8GB Corsair Vengeance 1600Mhz

GPU: Powercolor Radeon HD 7950 Boost State

PSU: Rosewill Hive 650W

 

 

My system has been running fine for about 18 months now (with the 970 gaming for about the last 4 months), when out of the blue it crashed as I was just surfing the internet. 

 

If the 6 pin power cables are connected to the graphics card: When I attempt to power the system up, the fans do a quick jerk and then the power is killed. 

 

If the 6 pin power cables aren't connected (regardless of whether the graphics card is connected via PCIe): System powers on and gives me 1 long beep followed by 2 short beeps. This means an error with the graphics card (which makes sense). Since my system doesn't have onboard graphics, I have no idea if it is booting normally in this state, but it at least remains powered on until i turn it off.

 

I've tried swapping motherboards, but the results are the same. I think it's either the PSU (only partially failing) or the graphics card, but I'm not sure how to narrow it down further. Can anyone help?

 

Thanks a lot!

Alex

 

 

 

[Sandvich]

Try using a different power supply.

[Alex.the.Riddler]

I don't believe a PSU tester will show the problems of the PSU under load. (Correct me if I'm wrong)

I think it just checks voltages on each wire.

 

Honestly, I'm not sure about this. But it wasn't under load when it died and I shouldn't need need all that much power to reach the BIOS (I think). From what I can tell, the tester confirmed everything is working fine with the power supply.

 

Try using a different power supply.

 

I don't have another one available. I'd like to be relatively sure it's not a problem with the graphics card before I spend money on a power supply.

 

Could also be the motherboard that's dead, has the same symptoms. But if the psu is bad, you can try to boot without the 7950, if it keeps running, bad PSU, if it's still "dying" could be the motherboard then. 

 

I swapped out the motherboard and am having exactly the same problems, so I'm relatively sure it's not that.

 

 

 

 

I've been looking at some troubleshooting online and some people have had a short or other issues with their graphics cards that have caused these symptoms (but some people also had faulty power supplies). Would there be any way to check the graphics card that doesn't require plugging it into another system? And how likely is it for a power supply to be fine when plugged into a tester, but still not be working properly?

 

Thanks for the responses thus far everyone!

[Icefire555]

I've been looking at some troubleshooting online and some people have had a short or other issues with their graphics cards that have caused these symptoms (but some people also had faulty power supplies). Would there be any way to check the graphics card that doesn't require plugging it into another system? And how likely is it for a power supply to be fine when plugged into a tester, but still not be working properly?

 

Thanks for the responses thus far everyone!

 

Well if your tester only tests voltages. then under load it would be an entire different situation. Think of it like when you turn a high powered electronic on in a room with lots of other things running. if the houses power lines have trouble you will see the lights dim.  When they dim, they aren't getting the power they need. So that is why I strongly believe that the PSU tester would not give the full story. 

[Icefire555]

I mean, for 50 bucks you can get a 600watt psu

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438014&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

or 750 with a mail in re-bait

http://www.ncixus.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=97306&vpn=110-B1-0750-VR&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1315

[Disultory]

Definitely sounds like a bricked PSU. Try borrowing one from a friend, relative or whatever, see if that works for you.

[Alex.the.Riddler]

For the record, it was my graphics card. So sometimes the power supply isn't the problem.