Stumped and need advice.

[chiXu]

System Specs

 

Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V/GEN3

CPU: Intel i5-2500k

CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X60

PSU: Corsair AX760i

Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB 1333MHz (2x4GB sticks)

GPU: Asus GTX 980 Strix

Sound Card: Xonar Phoebus Solo

Case: NZXT Phantom 530

Primrary Drive: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB

Secondary: 500GB Western Digital HDD

 

 

And now onto the problem.

 

I've had the majority of the above components for a few years now and had no issues. The system is self-built and I always take care when putting a rig together. My problem is this; A few months back, I turned the computer off one night before bed and the next day when I sat down to start using it, the computer started powering off/restarting the moment I turned it on. Strange as it all was, I opened up the case, made sure no cables had wiggled free and managed to get the computer up and running again. A few weeks later the same thing happened, this time however, the problem persisted in a more troubling manner. After opening up the computer and having a quick check of cables again, I tried powering up but got caught in that same cycle. What happens is, as soon as I power on, fans start to spin up and you get the usual clicks of components being powered up and it all goes on for barely a half-second or so before the computer powers off and automatically tries to restart again. This cycle will keep on going and going.

 

The steps I've taken to try and troubleshoot this are most of what I know and now I'm at a loss as to what to do.

 

I've tried removing every component and reseating them, including removing everything from the case, using compressed air to blow off the contacts and motherboard, reseating and taking extra care with cable management to ensure no loose/poorly connected cables.

 

I've tried going through the usual process of elimination, remove the sound-card, tried a different GPU, tried switching memory stick configurations (Using only 1, tested with both, different slots etc.).

 

I've tested the power supply with the self-test that comes on the corsair PSU, it worked without problem.

 

I've tried switching cables for connecting various PCIe devices and such.

 

I've reset the bios so that everything is running at stock to eliminate issues potentially caused by OC'ing.

 

I've tested to make sure it's not a fault with the case power switch, even using the reset switch as a temp on-switch.

 

I've tried running without any of the case fans or fan controller connected, to rule out a short there.

 

I'm stumped. As far as I'm aware I've pretty much exhausted every option that I'm capable of doing myself.

 

Here's the kicker, though; this doesn't always happen.

 

The computer was up and running without issue for a few weeks then it started again. Sometimes I can get the computer started again by simply opening it up and switch the USB header connection from the Kraken X60 to another USB header on the motherboard and it'll start up, but usually shuts itself down after 5/10/30 or whatever minutes and next time I try that it makes no difference.

 

Other times I've had the computer start up by opening up the side-panel covering the cable management space and giving every cable a good, solid press to make sure they haven't come loose but at other times it makes no difference, leading me to believe that it's simply an intermittent problem that I have very little way of influencing.

 

The latest incident had me opening up the computer and removing every single component, every cable, basically building the rig from scratch and when I put it together the computer was working without issue for about a week. Then it's started up again and I'm now having to hijack my partners computer to write up this post. I'm getting pretty desperate now, I've never had a problem with a computer that I haven't been able to solve but this really does have me grabbing at any explanation that I can.

 

Right now, I'm leaning towards a motherboard fault. The only indication of the motherboard being faulty is that the USB3.0 connectors have never really worked properly. They power devices that are connected fine but when using them with a data device, such as a USB key or USB hard-drive, they've always lost connection within windows after a minute or so. The power still runs through them however. I never really considered that issue a game-breaker for me, however, due to me seldom needing the increased speed of USB3.0 transfers. Hindsight is telling me now, though, that perhaps it was simply a sign of a fault that decided to wait a few years before really messing with me.

 

Beyond that.. I really can't say.

 

It feels like a short-circuit. The fact that the computer is restarting within a half-second, unable to even reach POST or any of the motherboards self-test LED stages, what else could it be? What I don't understand is how taking the computer apart and piecing it back together again gets it up and running for a week before it starts over again.

 

Right now I'm looking at the only solution being a replacement motherboard/CPU/RAM combination. Amongst other things I'm studying full-time to become a network technician and I need to have access to a computer, that goes without question. I had been considering a mobo/CPU/RAM upgrade but I don't like my hand being forced into it, especially not right after Christmas when money is tight and the luxury of being able to wait a couple of months extra would really be helpful but what are my options?

 

Please help me, If there's anything important that I've missed out in the wall-of-text-post then reply asking me and I'll write it up as soon as possible but I think I've covered everything (As a note, the computer was running OC'd from pretty much day 1 and I never had 1 single issue or problem with stability, being happy with reaching barely 50 degrees C with the CPU maxed out @4.4).

 

I'm hoping there's someone out there that recognises this or has better knowledge than me and can recognise what I need to do to get around this problem.

 

Thanks for your time.

 

 

 

[kristaps552]

Have you got any warranty on those components?
My best guess would be that it is the motherboard, or even the PSU even if you done the self test on it.  
Try contacting their support and try to RMA either the motherboard or the PSU.

[DeViLzzz]

Uh you say you need your computer for school or whatever so why would you need a mobo/cpu/ram upgrade when you believe it is the mobo only giving you fits?  Find a well priced 1155 mobo new or used and problem solved without having to spend too much money.  Also have you tried the pc without the video card for any extended period of time? Use the i5's 2500K graphics and see how the pc works.  Lastly like someone mentioned above me look at your warranty for the mobo and see if you can still RMA it.  Funny thing is an RMA may be more expensive than buying a used mobo.

[chiXu]

The motherboard is no longer under warranty, the PSU however, is. I'm somewhat hesitant, however. The PSU has been solid as a rock, I've had no trouble with it and when I've been monitoring it in the past with the Corsair Link all of its values and voltages have been spot on, couple that with the self-test running without issue every time I try it I really can't help but feel that RMA'ing would end up wasting the time it takes to solve this issue (I don't mean to sound bitchy when I say that, it's just that I understand that the RMA process can take a couple of weeks to a month or even more and that's too long to wait).

 

I did some searching and haven't come across any real pattern of trouble when it comes down to these higher-end Corsair PSU's, do you really think that's that?

[chiXu]

Uh you say you need your computer for school or whatever so why would you need a mobo/cpu/ram upgrade when you believe it is the mobo only giving you fits?  Find a well priced 1155 mobo new or used and problem solved without having to spend too much money.  Also have you tried the pc without the video card for any extended period of time? Use the i5's 2500K graphics and see how the pc works.  Lastly like someone mentioned above me look at your warranty for the mobo and see if you can still RMA it.  Funny thing is an RMA may be more expensive than buying a used mobo.

It's difficult to test anything when the computer won't start up for more than a half-second, unfortunately. I've tried booting with my current GPU, a different GPU and on-board GPU, nothing makes a difference when the computer is experiencing the issue.

 

As for the cost in upgrading and why I'm not looking at simply replacing the motherboard but rather the 3 main components? It largely boils down to this; I can make the upgrade now, I'm just trying to justify the cost. While getting a new motherboard alone might very well fix the problem, in the long run it will still leave me looking at upgrades so my train of thought is to at least try a little future-proofing. Picky, I know, but also somewhat logical.. right?

[SuperPug]

If you're gonna buy a new mobo might aswell go with Z97 i think the 2500K by now has amortized its cost fairly well... My only guess is that the problem stembs from a loose contact (maybe a terminal on the 24pin cable that is loose).

[DeViLzzz]

It's difficult to test anything when the computer won't start up for more than a half-second, unfortunately. I've tried booting with my current GPU, a different GPU and on-board GPU, nothing makes a difference when the computer is experiencing the issue.

 

As for the cost in upgrading and why I'm not looking at simply replacing the motherboard but rather the 3 main components? It largely boils down to this; I can make the upgrade now, I'm just trying to justify the cost. While getting a new motherboard alone might very well fix the problem, in the long run it will still leave me looking at upgrades so my train of thought is to at least try a little future-proofing. Picky, I know, but also somewhat logical.. right?

I didn't know your financial situation and you talked of being a student so I thought a cheap new or used mobo would be a good idea.  In fact if you are in the U.S. there are some really nice deals on Ebay right now.  The thing with Ebay though is I never fully understand the risks of buying from that site and how much they protect you if you get a dud so there is that.

[Godlygamer23]

Give resetting the BIOS a shot. Remove the CMOS battery with power removed.

[Dimwitted]

The thing that stands out in your story is the fact it happens when you put the panels back on. It does sound like a short. Is there a wear area on one of the psu cables? Otherwise you nailed and you will have to replace the board. And, yes, I would also agree that it's logical to get the upgrades now. It all depends on how much you like ramen.

[chiXu]

The thing that stands out in your story is the fact it happens when you put the panels back on. It does sound like a short. Is there a wear area on one of the psu cables? Otherwise you nailed and you will have to replace the board. And, yes, I would also agree that it's logical to get the upgrades now. It all depends on how much you like ramen.

It works with and without the panels, the thing that makes it change its mind is physically opening up the case and moving.. something, somewhere, somehow, until it starts. I'm on it right now, after having a struggle, both side panels are off. A little while earlier it was working with both panels on, it's just so.. bloody.. random.

 

As for ramen.. I think I can survive a while on it.

 

(In response to the other above posters, I don't live in the USA, I live in Sweden so I don't have access to those deals.. but others, of course, I can get access. This is more about justifying the upgrade vs. a potential repair. Godlygamer23, that is one of the first steps I take when troubleshooting startup issue, but thanks for the reminder regardless.)

 

Short-circuit is definitely feeling like the issue, I'm guessing at the motherboard.. I just wish I could find it!!!

[Tetters]

 

Short-circuit is definitely feeling like the issue, I'm guessing at the motherboard.. I just wish I could find it!!!

 

it could possibly be a shorting issue, can you check the back of the motherboard to make sure there is nothing there in the cable management that could be causing an issue. The fact that you have been having issues with the USB 3.0 header from the start does ring alarm bells. There could well be a fault in the board that is is causing this although the randomness is odd

[chiXu]

The computer was up and running for about 10 minutes just now then powered off instantly and into the half-second restart cycle again.

[LabRat]

borrow your friends power supply.

[EmeraldKiwi]

I would hazard a guess that your PSU may not be providing enough power to boot each time consistently.

[chiXu]

Do you think that's possible? Single gpu setup, no overclock, high quality 760w PSU. . . Not to mention it was running without issue with that PSU for a year, now it suddenly decides it's not enough power?

[chiXu]

So a little while ago I went and tested the computer again and it started up no problem. I hadn't touched it at all since it started playing up before that. It will less up again, that I can guarantee, but what does this random indicate? I'm still leaning towards motherboard rather than PSU.

[LabRat]

MB is my second guess......... power supply is first.

[Godlygamer23]

So a little while ago I went and tested the computer again and it started up no problem. I hadn't touched it at all since it started playing up before that. It will less up again, that I can guarantee, but what does this random indicate? I'm still leaning towards motherboard rather than PSU.

I would test the system with a different power supply unit on the same socket if possible.

[RossMadness]

I agree with the other posters. Test a different PSU entirely. Just in case.

One other, strange, thing to try: disconnect the leads running from the case's power and reset buttons to the mobo's pins. Then start the computer using a flat head screwdriver to bridge the power on pins. See if the computer runs normally with those leads unplugged. I've had clients with wonky power buttons on cases.