Random shutdowns and boot loops

Kogure

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May 30, 2014
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So I finished building my first gaming PC few weeks ago. It actually started up during the first attempt which was quite surprising. Fast forward to about a week ago.

I was trying to OC my graphics card with MSI Afterburner. I increased the clock speed by just 10 MHz, and when I was trying to do a benchmark, something (presumably the card or PSU) started making weird noises. I turned the speed back down, and forgot about the whole thing.

When few days after that I've been gaming, the PC has shut down randomly and entered a boot loop. Just few seconds. Not even enough to get to the Windows logo. I flipped the switch on the back of my PSU, checked if all cables are connected properly, and booted the PC up again. Everything was fine.

Today the PC has shut down again when I was playing GTA IV, but then it booted up with no problems. When few hours later I was trying to do the Windows Experience Index (just for fun), I heard the familiar making squeaky noises again. I got a graphics driver crash and serious artifacting as well. I canceled the test, and everything went back to normal.

But now, about 30 minutes ago, I've been watching a YouTube video, and I got the same boot loop issue... Everything is fine now, but it looks like the problem will most likely not fix itself. Any ideas on what may be causing it?


System specs:

CPU: Intel i7-4770, 3,4GHz
GPU: GeForce GTX 780, 3GB, 1020MHz
RAM: Corsair Vengance 8GB 1600MHz
MB: Gigabyte GA-Z87-HD3
PSU: Corsair CS750M
(more than enough PSU wattage...)


EDIT: I should probably add that none of my components got overly hot at any point (at least not enough to be able to feel it from about an inch away), and that I have already stress-tested my CPU. About a minute with Intel Burn Test on 100%. No problems.
 
Solution
If you have the latest WHQL drivers installed -> read on
2 things come to mind. Thermal expansion of the gpu during extended use and short-circuit somewhere in your system. I recommend you do a full system rebuild:
Clean the dust from the pc and remove all components (no need to remove the cpu or the cooler just make sure it doesn't touch anything it shouldn't)
Remove mobo from case and check to see if any loose screws fell there or if there is nothing misplaced in the screw holes making the motherboard's back touch the case and/or screws,metal plates etc.
Check psu wires for factory problems like plastic coming off of the wire.
Examine everything closely wires and connections.
Put it back together slowly and feel if the components are...

emdea22

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If you have the latest WHQL drivers installed -> read on
2 things come to mind. Thermal expansion of the gpu during extended use and short-circuit somewhere in your system. I recommend you do a full system rebuild:
Clean the dust from the pc and remove all components (no need to remove the cpu or the cooler just make sure it doesn't touch anything it shouldn't)
Remove mobo from case and check to see if any loose screws fell there or if there is nothing misplaced in the screw holes making the motherboard's back touch the case and/or screws,metal plates etc.
Check psu wires for factory problems like plastic coming off of the wire.
Examine everything closely wires and connections.
Put it back together slowly and feel if the components are snug or not.

This should help. If all fails then its most likely the GPU or defective slot on mobo,
 
Solution

Kogure

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May 30, 2014
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Alright. I'll do that tomorrow. If that doesn't help, I'll contact the manufacturer of my graphics card.
I have noticed that the squeaking occurs every time Windows Experience Index does the graphics test, and I suspect that the noise issue and reboots may be connected with each other.

Oh, and can I use the second PCIe slot on my mobo to test if it's the first one that's faulty?
 

emdea22

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You can use it with no problems.
 

Kogure

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May 30, 2014
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I tried booting it with no graphics card installed (I have integrated graphics as well) and the problem keeps happening. The biggest issue is that sometimes the PC will boot just fine. I did the full rebuild you've been talking about, and I got the boot loop few times before the PC started up normally. Since I know it's not the graphics, I'll probably order a new PSU if the PC shuts down again. If the new one will work, I'll RMA the old one. Otherwise I will return it and try with a different component. Is there any chance the CPU is causing something like this? If not, I'll just have to check the PSU, mobo, and RAM.
 

emdea22

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cpu either works or doesn't as long as it isn't overclocked.This sounds like a motherboard problem to me since you've passed furmark and prime95 the psu seems to be holding unless thermal expansion actually works in its favor in that (small chance) the psu could be the culprit. About ram - i've only had pc's not power on randomly because of ram incompatibility with the motherboard but that was DDR1 era; i haven't encountered that since.

If you can, replace the PSU one from a friend or with an older one. You can also buy one depending on store rules and take it back the next day to get your money back if that isn't the problem. Here in the EU there is a 15 day period during which you can take any electronic part back to the store to get your money back.
 

Kogure

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May 30, 2014
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I live in The Netherlands, so there will be no problem with returning the PSU. Oh yeah, I noticed one more thing. When I took apart the PC and had to turn it on by shorting the two mobo pins and turn it off with the PSU switch, each time after turning it off the PSU would click, and after few seconds click again. The timing kinda matches how often the reboot occurs during looping. Is this normal?