PSU working (I think) but computer not turning on

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LukeHux

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Hi all,

New PC builder so be gentle.

Specs:
Gigabyte Z97X-UD3H Intel LGA1150 Z97 ATX Motherboard
Corsair Builder Series CXM 600W Modular 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX/EPS PSU
Crucial BLS2CP4G3D1609DS1S00CEU Sport 8GB Kit (4GBx2), Ballistix 240-pin DIMM, DDR3 PC3-12800 Memory Module
Intel Core i7 i7-4790K CPU (Quad Core 4GHz, Socket H3 LGA-1150)
Samsung SAM 850 Pro 256GB 2.5 inch SATA III Solid State Drive
WD 2 TB 3.5-inch Internal Hard Drive - Black
Asus Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti Graphics Card (2GB, GDDR5, PCI-Express 3.0)

So I'd finally got my first PC build working, but I went to turn it on today and it's not powering up. I've gone through the troubleshooting thread on the forum (http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-post-boot-video-problems) and everything seems to be ok. I've tried re-building, breadboarding, removing all hardware and re-installing one by one, but it still doesn't seem to work.
My first thought was that the PSU wasn't working so I tried this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FWXgQSokF4&feature=youtube_gdata which indicated that the power supply is working because the fan was spinning.

I'm a bit stuck with what to try next, can anyone suggest something?
PS. I'm worried the motherboard may have shorted or be dead, is this a possibility?
 
Solution
herrwizo
As for the paper clip thingy, the best way to do it is while the case is laid down on its side and then you use one hand to wield the clip (in a "scissor" fashion) just to short the 2 pins. You can certainly do it if you have a steady hand. Just touch the PWR_SW pins on the mobo, and remove immediately.

If that doesn't help I'm really out od ideas - the mobo is most likely dead.
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herrwizo

herrwizo

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In reality, this test is not nearly good enough: it merely means that the PSU can power its own fan, while in reality power draws are much, much higher. Corsair CX series, while not bad for office use, is definitely not something I would recommend for rig like yours - although you have a low-power graphics card, it is not the rated power, but the build quality that is the issue here. Cheap components in that PSU, which often results in DOA units, which could as well be your case.

First try using a different PSU to make sure your build can turn on at all (borrow one, no reason to buy before you are sure). If it works with a different PSU, buy a decent quality one Seasonic, XFX, Antec HCG, EVGA B2 or Corsair RM 550-650W.
 
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DasHotShot

DasHotShot

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Herrwizo is partially right. That series of PSU's is not the one designated for gaming rigs. Also borrowing a PSU from someone to test out if the system will boot is a must here. The problem could lie anywhere.

However, you don't need to go for anything in the 600w range etc. That is dramatic overkill and a common mistake gamers make. At most this configuration will draw somewhere around 400w at full chat when everything is gunning for it. So to be safe you can opt for something in the mid 400's to 500w TOPS. It will save you money potentially and allow you to go for a very high quality gold or platinum supply, whichj your components deserve.

 
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herrwizo

herrwizo

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It wouldn't even use 300W most likely. But that's not why I recommended 550-600. When one day the OP decides to upgrade his GPU, he can do it with 550-600W and he is free to pick. With 400W, 280X and similar cards are out of question, and a new PSU purchase will be required again. So, this was not meant to be an overkill, but to be future-proof and provide peace of mind.
 
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LukeHux

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Feb 18, 2015
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Hi both,

Thanks for the replies. I will try out another PSU, but I will have to buy one as I don't have access to another that isn't shoddy quality.

If possible can you recommend a good power supply for my specs?

Thanks again!
 
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LukeHux

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Ideally no more than £80-100. Although anything less would be great! I've had a few issues with the build so I just want it to work now, haha!
 
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herrwizo

herrwizo

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If you don't mind about being non-modular, this one is excellent quality (tier 2A) while being CHEAPER than Corsair CX600:

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9

If you prefer semi modular for less cable clutter, get one of those:

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1650xxxb9
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg620m

For full modular PSUs, these are your options:

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550bbefx
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-rm550

All Seasonic PSUs are also top quality, so take your pick. All options are within your budget.
 
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DasHotShot

DasHotShot

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Ditto...I could pick out some other brands for you but there is barely any arguing with Herrwizo's picks here. These will do a stellar job.
 
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LukeHux

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Perfect, I will grab one of these off Amazon and try it out - hopefully tomorrow).

Will provide an update and at least this will figure out if it's the PSU or something else.

Thanks for the help!



 
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LukeHux

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Ok, so I got the new power supply and I tried booting it without the graphics card and with only 1 stick of ram and I'm still not getting any power - by this I mean, non of the fans on the case or the processor are working.

I'm currently rebuilding, again, to see if there's any issue with the way I've built it.

Any suggestions of where to go now?

Thanks
 
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herrwizo

herrwizo

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If that's the case, PSU can now (quite safely) be removed from the equation.

I would try assembling everything OUTSIDE of the case - on a wooden desk. You could potentially have a short somewhere in your case or one of your motherboard standoffs is at the wrong location / not inserted.

EDIT: Also check the switch at the back of the PSU - it needs to be at "1". Double check that you have connected the small PWR_SW connector from your case to your motherboard. Replace the power cable of the PSU or use a new one you got with your new PSU. While it might sound silly, also double check that the power outlet actually provides power at all.
 
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LukeHux

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So I've just tried all of those things and still nothing. No fans working, nothing detected via DVI (when I plugged my screen in to double check).

Just to confirm:
- Tried to assemble outside of case and processor fan didn't work.
- PSU is definately switched to 1 :)
- PWR_SW is connected to my front panel
- Tried the different power cable
- And double checked the power outlet, I am using an extension cord so I also swapped that out, still no luck. The power supply is working for other items, so I assume this is ok.

Any thoughts?

 
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herrwizo

herrwizo

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Power button might be dead - seen it once. Almost pulled my hair out before I realised what's wrong.

Try this:

Unplug the "PWR_SW" wire from the motherboard and power on the computer manually by using a jumper or bent paper clip. You just need to touch the PWR_SW connections. Make sure you are VERY CAREFUL - do not touch ANYTHING else except precisely the two pins on your mobo for PWR_SW.

Does it power up?
 
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DasHotShot

DasHotShot

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After all of this, it sounds like the motherboard is dead.

If you haven't seen any LED's go on (if even briefly), none of the fans turning (even briefly), literally nothing happening, then the power is simply not getting through to your components for some reason.

Did you accidentally bend, crack, put too much pressure on the board when putting it in? Did you build your system in a room with carpeted floors and accidentally create too much static whilst handling parts?

Thinking out loud here to get to the root of this. Perhaps an option would be to use that motherboard in someone else's case/set up just to see if this is where the problem lies.

Most components can be eliminated by now and I my betting is strongly on mobo and perhaps on the case. Cases sometimes, regardless of manufacturer rep, have bad build quality and the cables aren't fitted properly.

Is there a button on the motherboard with which you can turn it on and reset it etc?

Can't think of anything else off the top of my head right now.
 
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herrwizo

herrwizo

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A rare mistake but which happens is also when people forget to remove the plastic CPU cover and install the CPU over it. Or place the CPU in the wrong orientation. Or mobo has bent CPU pins. All of this is quite possible.

So is that the CPU FAN is not connected at all or connected to the wrong fan connector (it has its dedicated CPU_FAN connector). Some mobos won't boot at all without it.

CPU power (ATX12V) from the PSU, either 4 or 8 pin, must be connected near the CPU.
 
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DasHotShot

DasHotShot

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Good points.

Can you post us a picture on imgur of the build from an "aerial" perspective, so we can investigate whether or not most of the things are connected correctly?
 
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LukeHux

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Ok, here are some images:
mAoSOlj.jpg

FTr0ppi.jpg

kiZHmEY.jpg

Z4EBoOJ.jpg

9famQDl.jpg


To answer your questions:
I've removed the CPU cover.
I'm pretty sure the CPU is correctly oriented, as I double checked and it will only fit 1 way.
Mobo pins don't seem to be bent, anywhere.
CPU fan is connected.
CPU power is connected.
I bought all the parts new and built them in a room with laminate flooring. I didn't bend, scratch etc the mobo in any way.
There doesn't seem to be a reset button on the mobo, I tried taking out the battery and putting it back in again - no luck.
Case seems fine, it was all working before it randomly wouldn't turn on 2 days ago.

Just to confirm on this point:
Unplug the "PWR_SW" wire from the motherboard and power on the computer manually by using a jumper or bent paper clip. You just need to touch the PWR_SW connections. Make sure you are VERY CAREFUL - do not touch ANYTHING else except precisely the two pins on your mobo for PWR_SW.

So on the front panel place a paperclip between the 2 connections. Will I be able to do this without holding the paperclip and without touching any other components?

Thanks again, really appreciate your time here!
 
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DasHotShot

DasHotShot

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Great stuff, thanks for the pics, now we have a chance to see if there was maybe something a second or third pair of eyes can or can't see.

It looks ok at first glance, I will be taking a look at it a little later in detail and try to spot something.

Seems incredibly odd that everything was working fine and has suddenly stopped working.
 
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herrwizo

herrwizo

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Feb 17, 2009
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As for the paper clip thingy, the best way to do it is while the case is laid down on its side and then you use one hand to wield the clip (in a "scissor" fashion) just to short the 2 pins. You can certainly do it if you have a steady hand. Just touch the PWR_SW pins on the mobo, and remove immediately.

If that doesn't help I'm really out od ideas - the mobo is most likely dead.
 
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Solution
DasHotShot

DasHotShot

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Sorry man, drawing a blank here too unfortunately...it makes no sense.
 
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LukeHux

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So I tried that and nothing happened. It was my fear when I posted on here that my mobo was dead because I'd tried almost everything to get it working again. It was definately working when I got it, so what could have caused it to die?

New question, what motherboard should I get and how can I prevent it from dying again?

Thanks to herrwizo and DasHotShot for all your help troubleshooting this, sorry for being a pain!!!
 
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