How to find out which component is failing?

tuxedoandex · Sep 25, 2015

A while back I had a power cut while I was playing games on my PC. Long story short I was stupid and didn't turn it off in a lightning storm, power went out and back on and I heard a loud POP from inside the computer. PC won't boot any more, when I press the power button the Q-code display goes 15 > 13 > FE. Apparently the FE code means something is wrong with memory. Accordingly, I bought 16gb new (maybe a bit over-the-top, I know) but there was no change, so I'm suspecting maybe the motherboard or something else was damaged. How would I go about checking each part and finding out which one is damaged or not working so I can replace or otherwise fix it?

specs:
Intel Core i5-4670K processor
Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU cooler
Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 mb
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 24GB (2x4gb+2x8gb lmao) memory
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM hard drive
EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB gpu
Cooler Master HAF 912 case
Corsair CX600M power supply

Mankar Kameran · Sep 25, 2015

Judging by the pop sound, something might have shorted out. I would guess it might be the power supply, but you might want to start by sniffing each part for a burnt smell.
I'm not sure about the Q-code though, but that's where I would start.

tuxedoandex · Sep 25, 2015

Mankar Kameran :

It's actually been quite a while since it broke (or whatever) and my lazy self kind of gave up after a while, so I don't know if I would be able to smell anything by now. I think you're right about something shorting out, though.
Not really any burnt smell anywhere, but the whole thing has had this faint metallic smell since I built it. Probably nothing to worry about.

Mankar Kameran · Sep 25, 2015

http://www.howtogeek.com/172933/how-can-i-test-my-computers-power-supply/
Here's a way how to check your power supply.
I've never done this before, but if you're feeling up to it and want to test it then I would give it a shot.

ko888 · Sep 25, 2015

The pop was a catastrophic failure in the primary side of the power supply unit.

tuxedoandex · Sep 25, 2015

Mankar Kameran :

I did this a couple weeks ago just to see if the PSU was the problem. The fan started up and everything but I read that it could still be giving not enough power to the other components...
I don't think I can get conclusive enough results from that test, I don't want to buy another and find out that it's not the problem. :??:

tuxedoandex · Sep 25, 2015

ko888 :

you're sure?

ko888 · Sep 25, 2015

tuxedoandex :

The loud pop usually means a high voltage component failed. Anything on the secondary/DC output side of the power supply is low voltage.

If the power supply is properly designed then attached components shouldn't get damaged.

Check the power supply's output voltages using a volt meter to see if they are within spec. Or troubleshoot with a different/better power supply unit.

tuxedoandex · Sep 25, 2015

ko888 :

How would I see if they're within spec? should there be a chart or something on the manufacturer's website?
I'm hoping it is the PSU because it'll be a cheap, easy fix :lol:

ko888 · Sep 25, 2015

tuxedoandex :

C++:

DC Output Voltage Regulation

Output        Range   Min.    Nom.    Max.    Unit
------------  -----  ------  ------  ------  -----
+12V1DC (1)   ±5%    +11.40  +12.00  +12.60  Volts
+12V2DC (3)   ±5%    +11.40  +12.00  +12.60  Volts
 +5VDC        ±5%     +4.75   +5.00   +5.25  Volts
 +3.3VDC (2)  ±5%     +3.14   +3.30   +3.47  Volts
-12VDC        ±10%   -10.80  -12.00  -13.20  Volts
 +5VSB        ±5%     +4.75   +5.00   +5.25  Volts

(1) At +12 VDC peak loading, regulation at the +12 VDC output can go to ± 10%.
(2) Voltage tolerance is required at main connector and S-ATA connector (if used).
(3) Minimum voltage during peak is greater than 11.0 VDC

tuxedoandex · Sep 25, 2015

ko888 :

C++:

DC Output Voltage Regulation

Output        Range   Min.    Nom.    Max.    Unit
------------  -----  ------  ------  ------  -----
+12V1DC (1)   ±5%    +11.40  +12.00  +12.60  Volts
+12V2DC (3)   ±5%    +11.40  +12.00  +12.60  Volts
 +5VDC        ±5%     +4.75   +5.00   +5.25  Volts
 +3.3VDC (2)  ±5%     +3.14   +3.30   +3.47  Volts
-12VDC        ±10%   -10.80  -12.00  -13.20  Volts
 +5VSB        ±5%     +4.75   +5.00   +5.25  Volts

(1) At +12 VDC peak loading, regulation at the +12 VDC output can go to ± 10%.
(2) Voltage tolerance is required at main connector and S-ATA connector (if used).
(3) Minimum voltage during peak is greater than 11.0 VDC

woah, thanks! gonna test the power supply after dinner and see whether it's the broken component
thanks for all the help :^)))

tuxedoandex · Oct 10, 2015

If anyone's still here, I just got the new power supply, turned it on, still doing the same thing.
I've heard that it could be the CPU (memory controller is on the CPU), but it's probably possible that the motherboard is dead.
Side note, anyone know if the motherboard lights on an Asus Maximus VII Hero are supposed to pulse and flicker?

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