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Computer Build Consistently Failing for 3 Months, Never Posted. Please Help!!

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  • Computers
  • Boot
  • Build
  • Components
Last response: in Components
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May 15, 2014 3:20:23 PM

Hi guys, I have built computers before, but never had this problem.

Basically, the computer starts up when I boot it (external build) and then dies after about 3 seconds. Here's a video if you like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ39zRWa0co

I can't figure out what has happened- even had a professional come by and look at it. Gone through 2 PSUs and 2 mobos, leaving only RAM and CPU. It's not the RAM, as my mobo should be able to boot without it anyway. The professional that looked at it said the CPU was fine. I have absolutely no idea what to do. The most use I receive from it is the 3 seconds of cool air that hits my face every afternoon from the CPU fan (pretty sad, right? :)  ). But this pc has never posted (never even seen a visual of any kind). I need this computer to boot asap, as I have to do some major pc-required editing soon, and it's been sitting in pieces for 3 months.

I'd really appreciate any help, hopefully with the entire world wide web's assistance I can get this thing working soon. Thank you so much!

More about : computer build consistently failing months posted

May 15, 2014 3:39:07 PM

Tried two motherboards right? Did you RMA the first one? Maybe they just sent you the first defective motherboard back. BTW, the CPU fan will not stop spinning due to being cool, so when it fails to spin you got a problem. Do you get any error codes at all?
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May 15, 2014 3:43:39 PM

Hey,

I am at work and don't have speakers here to hear your comment of the video but from what you are describing here and what I saw (image only) you can't expect the PC to boot with no RAM installed.

Other than that you will have to establish what BIOS version has been installed on the motherboard. If you check here https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z87A/HelpDesk_CPU/ it says you should have the Z87-A BIOS 1802 bios installed before installing the i7-4770K CPU.

Or maybe you just have a faulty Motherboard which you should have sent for RMA by now (if you've been having same problems for 3 months).

And by the way - have you tried clearing CMOS?
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May 15, 2014 3:47:46 PM

Mouldread said:
Hey,

I am at work and don't have speakers here to hear your comment of the video but from what you are describing here and what I saw (image only) you can't expect the PC to boot with no RAM installed.

Other than that you will have to establish what BIOS version has been installed on the motherboard. If you check here https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z87A/HelpDesk_CPU/ it says you should have the Z87-A BIOS 1802 bios installed before installing the i7-4770K CPU.

Or maybe you just have a faulty Motherboard which you should have sent for RMA by now (if you've been having same problems for 3 months).

And by the way - have you tried clearing CMOS?


Yea, I'd put a stick of RAM in, but he did specify that he has tried all sorts of RAM combinations and the board should throw up a no RAM error code when he tries to boot without. And agreed that a CMOS reset is in order but I'm guessing he already tried that.

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May 15, 2014 3:52:15 PM

Just read a bit more on the BIOS update. Look at that:



The BIOS update for your CPU is from 2 months ago so chance are you might not have it installed on the motherboard. You will need to get someone to give you his older CPU (again check for the older BIOS versions supported CPUs here https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z87A/HelpDesk_CPU/) and you could try to see if the PC will boot up. If it does then you will only have to update your BIOS and you should be good to go.
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May 15, 2014 7:18:04 PM

Mouldread said:
Hey,

I am at work and don't have speakers here to hear your comment of the video but from what you are describing here and what I saw (image only) you can't expect the PC to boot with no RAM installed.

Other than that you will have to establish what BIOS version has been installed on the motherboard. If you check here https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z87A/HelpDesk_CPU/ it says you should have the Z87-A BIOS 1802 bios installed before installing the i7-4770K CPU.

Or maybe you just have a faulty Motherboard which you should have sent for RMA by now (if you've been having same problems for 3 months).

And by the way - have you tried clearing CMOS?


Thank you so much for the replies everyone!
I haven't tried clearing CMOS, I wanted to remove the battery and stuff as a last resort, but I will do that now. Also I don't believe they sent the same mobo back as I bought one and then sent the other one back, where they refunded me. For about two hours I had two motherboards. Same situation with PSU. So it isn't a mobo or PSU (small chance, anyway).
I haven't ever heard of the BIOS update, but it makes a lot of sense! But I need to ask: 1. Have I already damaged the CPU? and 2. How do I update the BIOS? Is another processor required? I don't have access to another CPU- not yet, anyway. Can I borrow an Intel from another factory pc (if it's compatible with my Z87-A?) Thanks! I really appreciate it!
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May 15, 2014 7:27:17 PM

Mouldread said:
Just read a bit more on the BIOS update. Look at that:



The BIOS update for your CPU is from 2 months ago so chance are you might not have it installed on the motherboard. You will need to get someone to give you his older CPU (again check for the older BIOS versions supported CPUs here https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z87A/HelpDesk_CPU/) and you could try to see if the PC will boot up. If it does then you will only have to update your BIOS and you should be good to go.


Just checked more into that- the webpage stated my BIOS on the mobo is greater than that of the CPU, therefore I don't need to flash the BIOS. Should I flash it anyway? Other than that I don't know what to do. Thanks again!
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May 15, 2014 7:39:19 PM

So you confirmed that you have a BIOS equal or more recent than the 1802? If you are sure of that then a BIOS update shouldn't be needed, unless there has been some error in making that determination. Are you reading the BIOS number off of the box? Where is is stated exactly?

Since flashing the BIOS (if that is the problem) requires another CPU which you do not have on hand then you should rule out everything else first and if you can't fix it you could try that as a last chance.

Resetting the CMOS is harmless and so too would be pressing the "memory OK" button while you have a single stick of RAM in the first slot, and yes you should reset the CMOS and also try that 'memory OK' button.

There are some LEDs on your board including a 'cpu led', does it light up or what?

It is extremely unlikely you have damaged the CPU by merely attempting to boot it.
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May 15, 2014 7:40:56 PM

Hey,

well I was just trying to help someone else with similar problem. His motherboard had the feature where you could update BIOS from an USB stick without having to boot even into BIOS so he managed to do that (although his problem wasn't solved). Unfortunately I went through your motherboard manual and it doesn't seem like your BIOS can be updated this way.

The only way to update your BIOS would be if you could at least enter BIOS. This would be the method to do it if you could get into BIOS.



You would need to borrow a CPU which is supported by an older BIOS version (presumably this is the reason) https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z87A/HelpDesk_CPU/ and if you mange to at least get into BIOS then you could follow the instructions above and update your BIOS in order to be able to use your i7-4770k.

P.S. Don't worry, I don't think your CPU has been damaged in any way.
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May 15, 2014 7:43:55 PM

Sorry you must have posted about your BIOS version while I was typing.

The whole flashing is then pointless but a CMOS clear is as notherdude said harmless and easy to do so you should give it a try just in case.
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May 16, 2014 10:58:31 AM

clueless404 said:
The professional that looked at it said the CPU was fine.

Did he try to boot with another one? How else could he know.

Did you put a motherboard speaker on it?
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May 17, 2014 2:33:59 PM

Thanks again! I will be contacting Asus and resetting the CMOS (already tried the mem OK with different memory configurations and that didn't help) soon. I think the main issue lies with the fact that it doesn't power on at all, and reading more into my motherboard it should be able to boot even without RAM and a CPU. Therefore I can't think of anything other than PSU, which has already been replaced. Contacted a person to help the build along, so I'll let you know what happens. Thanks!
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May 21, 2014 4:24:28 PM

Thanks for all of your help! I appreciate it. Unfortunately after trying everything, nothing has changed- it still doesn't even start up, let alone post. I informed the person I hired to help me of what happened and am currently returning the CPU. It's the only thing other than the RAM that hasn't been replaced. Any ideas? I'm very lost. I've had multiple people come over (computer friends, etc.) and they said I have built it correctly.
I'll let you know if it works- thanks for helping!
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