Massive Hardware Problem

Jerim · Jul 18, 2014

I recently built my first water cooling computer. It was a bit of a pain in the a** to get running, due to all the extra work. But despite that i was able to work it out. I had ran it for around 3 months (Just so you know it wasn't wrecked straight away)
Here is were my problems began. Today I installed two extra SSD's to put in RAID 0, along with an extra 16 Gb of ram (they are the same exact kit). After taking my time putting them in carefully, I took my computer off the bench and put it next to my desk:

Plug in power, Mobo lights come on
Press power, powers for a split second then turns off, at first I thought it was just it reading memory or something, (as after a change is made in BIOS the computer turns on then off, then back on. But this time it never booted up) [Note: Mobo flashes 00, in indicator panel: This means "Not Used" according the Maximus vi hero Mobo Guide]
About 2 seconds after it has powered on and off (quickly) the speakers make a "pop".
The Mobo light stays on, but any further presses of power achieve nothing
(This 100% repeatable)

The computer was working earlier that day (i turned it off and went out for a few hours, to get parts)
In an attempt to rule out a few problems I have;

Unplugged the new ram and SSD's,
Checked all the power connections, and Sata connectors

So, I have either;

Destroyed the RAM slot (god knows how, I've built at least 15 computers now)
Some other mobo issue?
Overvolted the PSU
Or a water spill (i think this is least likely, as i am extremely careful with spills)

If anybody could give me somewhere to direct my efforts (I hate leaving my computer in a shop, and paying people), i would be very much in your debt.

Build Info:
CPU: 4770k
Graphics: Dual Titan Z
Mobo: Asus Maximus VI Hero
Water Pump: XSPC D5 (two of these, each is a dual res)
Fans: 8 cooler masters?
PSU: Silverstone Strider Gold 1200W

Murissokah · Jul 18, 2014

...powers for a split second then turns off.

This is a precise description of an electrical failure. My advice would be to start with a bare minimum. That is, one RAM stick, mobo power cables, CPU and cooling. Not even the graphics card or any storage device. If that works you will get POST, and it will probably hang due to no boot.

If that doesn't work, at least you singled out a lot of stuff. If possible, re-check that power supply elsewhere.

Jerim · Jul 18, 2014

The more I read, the more I think its the the PSU. Unfortunatly I have no means of testing it.
Even worse, my Dual Titans are in the water cooling loop... with 2 pumps and heaps of other gear....
It it possible my PSU was too low power?
wouldn't it have died immediately?
or now been able to power during gaming?
In short, it would take me longer to pull the graphics off the mobo than it would to replace Mobo PSU and CPU, Due to my build/case/etc. What way would you tackle this?
Maybe i should take the PSU into a shop and get them to test it?

Jerim · Jul 18, 2014

I have 2 other builds, should i risk checking RAM and SSD's in the other systems?
Is there anyway to wreck your entire computer with one stick of faulty RAM?
There is no way it could be the SSD's as far as I can see

Pr3di · Jul 18, 2014

I would try in this case to remove all drives, and let only one stick of RAM, which you can swap between, to ckeck if you get different results from one to another.
Also, can`t you pull a PSU from another build and put it in this one for a test?

Jerim · Jul 18, 2014

I really don't want to keep trying to power the computer in-case the Titans still work and power it over and over wrecks them. its WAY too much money to try.
The PSU from my other builds wont power the Titans either. Can I have them unplugged and sitting in PCI-e slots without them being ruined? Or are my concerns still valid in this situation too?
If there is no danger I can try it. But in my mind, it could wreck GPU's if the Mobo is over-volting or something.

Jerim · Jul 18, 2014

Murissokah :

Thanks for the response, any suggestion on what direction to head, given the new info I provided?

So, I have now tested the PSU to the best of my ability (by jumping it with a paper clip, powering my pumps and fans).
I unplugged the restart pluf on the mobo as well as all power to SSD's HDD's and GPU's. I took out all the ram, and plugged in a CPU fan (just in-case, it needed to detect one).

All to no avail. Still no boot. Just suffering the same problem.
So ill be pulling this whole thing apart by the looks of it.
Can having the GPU's plugged in make troubleshooting the Mobo impossible? or is there no difference?
What is the chances a new Mobo will solve all the problems?
Can a defective GPU pair cause this? or a broken CPU?

Jerim · Jul 18, 2014

Pr3di :

Hey, thanks for the response.
I replied to your message (but only just noticed a button to ACTUALLY reply to you)

Murissokah · Jul 18, 2014

Jerim :

As long as the power connectors are off, you are safe. The motherboard will cut power if any electrical parameter is out of bounds. Indeed, that is what seems to be happening.

I don't think it is likely that your PSU is causing this because it isn't powerful enough. If that was the case, you'd have problems only under heavy load, in which case the voltage would go out of bounds and the motherboard would power off.

The most likely scenario is that there is a short circuit somewhere. Unfortunately (considering all the trouble of the water cooling), the best way to pinpoint that is to disassemble everything and test the motherboard out of the case. If it doesn't work, it shouldn't be hard to determine which component is failing by testing one at a time. If it works, you work your way to reassembling one at a time until it all works or you pinpoint where the issue is. From experience, I'd start by looking at any bad touch between the motherboard and the case. Maybe a lost screw, maybe a metallic spacer touching a large washer.

Before going through all that trouble, just try removing the power connectors and testing the bare minimum.

Jerim · Jul 18, 2014

Murissokah :

Jerim :

As long as the power connectors are off, you are safe. The motherboard will cut power if any electrical parameter is out of bounds. Indeed, that is what seems to be happening.

I don't think it is likely that your PSU is causing this because it isn't powerful enough. If that was the case, you'd have problems only under heavy load, in which case the voltage would go out of bounds and the motherboard would power off.

The most likely scenario is that there is a short circuit somewhere. Unfortunately (considering all the trouble of the water cooling), the best way to pinpoint that is to disassemble everything and test the motherboard out of the case. If it doesn't work, it shouldn't be hard to determine which component is failing by testing one at a time. If it works, you work your way to reassembling one at a time until it all works or you pinpoint where the issue is. From experience, I'd start by looking at any bad touch between the motherboard and the case. Maybe a lost screw, maybe a metallic spacer touching a large washer.

Before going through all that trouble, just try removing the power connectors and testing the bare minimum.

Thanks for the replies, you guys are amazing

Its 12.34am, so I will work on it over the weekend and report the results.
I will close this after i figure out which part it is, Just for other people

Jerim · Jul 18, 2014

I remembered something else. Though I didn't think it to be a problem, until I read this
"Some motherboards will not boot without detecting that the CPU fan is plugged in to prevent burning up the CPU."

My cooling system requires no fan, so i didnt put one in. It always booted saying "No CPU fan detected"
So there is a sliver of hope there.

Jerim · Jul 19, 2014

Murissokah :

Jerim :

As long as the power connectors are off, you are safe. The motherboard will cut power if any electrical parameter is out of bounds. Indeed, that is what seems to be happening.

I don't think it is likely that your PSU is causing this because it isn't powerful enough. If that was the case, you'd have problems only under heavy load, in which case the voltage would go out of bounds and the motherboard would power off.

The most likely scenario is that there is a short circuit somewhere. Unfortunately (considering all the trouble of the water cooling), the best way to pinpoint that is to disassemble everything and test the motherboard out of the case. If it doesn't work, it shouldn't be hard to determine which component is failing by testing one at a time. If it works, you work your way to reassembling one at a time until it all works or you pinpoint where the issue is. From experience, I'd start by looking at any bad touch between the motherboard and the case. Maybe a lost screw, maybe a metallic spacer touching a large washer.

Before going through all that trouble, just try removing the power connectors and testing the bare minimum.

Hey, so I have ripper it appart and drained the system. After jumping the PSU and having it run just the water cooling loop and fans.
I need confirmation on a couple things though;

a) Can I run a "test bench" with only the CPU plugged into the Mobo? (No ram)
b) Can I run the "test"bench" sitting on my Mobo box?
c) If there is still no post, then it can only be the Mobo right?

Murissokah · Jul 21, 2014

Jerim :

a) Yes, but the expected result would be the motherboard reporting RAM error. The only point in doing this is to check if the issue is in the motherboard or CPU. If the motherboard reports RAM error (through beeping or onboard led displays, if available), that is the expected result and nothing is wrong. If there is no difference in operating with or without RAM, then your issue is either the power supply, motherboard or CPU. Obviously, if you don't have a PC speaker installed (the kind that you plug into the motherboard jumpers), or a LED display on the motherboard, you won't be able to tell whether or not it worked.

b) Yes you can. The biggest issue here is being extra careful. Make sure there is nothing else touching the motherboard and be very aware of it when it is running. You don't want to drop some screws or a tool over it when it is running.

c) It's your best bet. To be 100% sure you'd have to test the PSU and CPU on another motherboard.

Jerim · Jul 22, 2014

Okay, so it turned out it was the motherboard. I have chucked in a Gygabyte board and have been running for the past 2 hours. Seems fine.

PSU was fine as it turned out. The 12v rail is a little on the low side (11.9v). But this is well within the recommended working limits. All other rails are functioning exactly correctly.

Murissokah · Jul 22, 2014

Jerim :

Glad you got to find out what the issue was. Too bad about the motherboard, though, hope it's RMA-able.

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