Computer Shuts Down Half A Second After Start

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Molotov

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Nov 22, 2009
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Alright, ladies and gents, I'm tearing my hair out here.

My computer restarted during a Windows update, only it never came back on. I hit the power button, and the fans and LEDs came on for about half a second, and then everything went off again.

I hit the interwebs, and discovered that this is frequently a PSU issue. That made sense, my PSU was six years old. So, went out and got a new one. Turns out it wasn't the PSU.

Well, if it's not the PSU, it's usually the motherboard. Fortunately I had another mobo on hand, and it turns out it's not the mobo.

If not the mobo or the PSU, usually it's the memory. Not this time, though. Memory's fine.

I honestly don't know what it could be at this point, and I've been working on it for days now.
 
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skit75


Ya, I honestly don't know what the behavior of an attempted boot looks like, without a CPU installed. I doubt you would see any movement from the fans. Might want to try. Can you try your video card in a friend's machine?
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skit75

skit75

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Oct 7, 2008
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Almost sounds like something is triggering one the power supply's protection modes. Video card perhaps? Do you have to physically unplug the AC cable and plug it back in to make the fans move a little bit each time or can you make them budge each time by just pressing the power button?
 
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Molotov

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Nov 22, 2009
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I can make them budge each time by just pressing the power button.

I thought it could possibly be a short, but if so, it's not a case-related one, as I also threw everything into an old case, and I'm getting the same problem. Old mobo, "new" mobo, old PSU, new PSU, old case, "new" case. All combinations tried, all having the same problem.

The CPU and the GPU are the only things that haven't been swapped out.

 
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maddogfargo

maddogfargo

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It does sound like a voltage protection issue. Remove and disconnect all parts from your system except for the bare minimums you need to post and enter BIOS:

Power
CPU
CPU Cooling Fan
RAM
Video (* try on-board or a basic low power card if you have a spare)
Monitor
Keyboard

Omit mouse, hard drives, all other expansion cards, all other fans/controllers, usb connections, LAN, speakers, etc...

If it will post after that, the core components to your system are OK. If not, could be RAM or CPU. Re-seat them and try again.

* I've also seen this happen when you have a non PFC battery backup connected to a PFC power supply.
 
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Molotov

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Nov 22, 2009
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Tried all this. Even tried with nothing but the CPU and CPU fan. All the same. Fans spin up for half a second, then there's an audible click and everything dies.

 
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Molotov

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Nov 22, 2009
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Yeah, it's the only CPU I've got that'll fit an 1155 socket.

I'm doubtful on it being the GPU, as I've tried booting plenty of times without the GPU in, and still no dice.

It's looking more and more like the CPU to me, but my understanding is that a bum CPU shouldn't cause this sort of behavior.
 
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skit75

skit75

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Oct 7, 2008
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Ya, I honestly don't know what the behavior of an attempted boot looks like, without a CPU installed. I doubt you would see any movement from the fans. Might want to try. Can you try your video card in a friend's machine?
 
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