Computer powers up but doesn't boot

Boscrazydog · Feb 5, 2016

Specs:
MB: MSI z97 Gaming 5
Processor: i5 4670k
Hard drives: 120gb pny ssd and 2tb seagate barracuda
PSU: Corsair cx750M
Ram: Avexir Blue core 8gb Ddr3 (2x4)
Graphics card: EVGA 980ti superclocked
-----------------------------------------
As the title states, my computer won't boot. After a year or two after I made it, the computer took longer times to boot. A while back I was in the same situation I am in now, but the computer randomly started working again. My solution was to never turn it off again. Yesterday, my computer stopped and I started it and the same thing happened. Nothing connected outside the case seems to be getting power (monitor, keyboard, etc), but the inside of the computer appears to be completely functional. If it helps my motherboard has an LED debugger showing the boot process which always stops at 4F which, according to the motherboard's guide, seems to mean Early Memory Initialization.

lucas_7_94 · Feb 5, 2016

Try to boot with only 1 stick of ram or another ram.

jsmithepa · Feb 5, 2016

Reset CMOS to factory.
Then try lucas' method.
Quick, really guessing from a remote distance, antartica... failing PSU?

Boscrazydog · Feb 6, 2016

I tried both solutions but nothing changed.

lucas_7_94 · Feb 6, 2016

Try without the GPU connected, and later try again without GPU And another PSU if you can.

Boscrazydog · Feb 6, 2016

lucas_7_94 :

I tried without the GPU connected. Unfortunately I do not have a spare PSU, so I wasn't able to try the second suggestion. Nothing seems to have changed.

Thanks for the continued assistance.

Boscrazydog · Feb 6, 2016

After investigating my psu I noticed that the fan was blocked by a notice from the case manufacturer. That had been there for years. Would that be enough for the psu to die? I just want to confirm that this is the issue before I purchase a new psu.

lucas_7_94 · Feb 6, 2016

Maybe the PSU is the problem, before you buy it, do you have any friend who have a PSU to help you to test?

Boscrazydog · Feb 6, 2016

lucas_7_94 :

Unfortunately, they don't have any ones to spare. If I find that the problem isn't the psu, I will be able to sell it to a friend who is planning to make a new pc.

I haven't bought it yet. Are there other checks I should perform to make sure the other parts are not the cause of my issue?

lucas_7_94 · Feb 6, 2016

Before buying it, try to take off the PSU from your pc, and try this : http://aphnetworks.com/tutorials/psu_paperclip_trick

Says me if the PSU turns on, or something.

Boscrazydog · Feb 6, 2016

lucas_7_94 :

I uninstalled the PSU and did as the article instructed. The PSU fan turned on. Does this mean that the PSU is not the problem? Is it possible that the PSU fan works but the other functions don't?

Bearmann · Feb 6, 2016

Boscrazydog :

Was the fan completely blocked? Can you take a photo of it? Yes, if the fan was blocked, the PSU likely overheated.

lucas_7_94 · Feb 6, 2016

PSU isnt problem then. Try resetting CMOS , removing the battery and put it again and then give it a shot with 1 stick in slot 1 closest to CPU firmly inserted (you should hear the sound like a 'click')

Bearmann · Feb 6, 2016

Boscrazydog :

Yes, it is possible. The paperclip test shows that the PSU is not completely dead, but it still may be defective and not be able to supply power to all rails under load.

Boscrazydog · Feb 6, 2016

lucas_7_94 :

I have taken out and reinserted the CMOS battery. That didn't fix the computer. I also started the computer with only one stick of ram and it being in slot 1. Same result. Is it possible that I need to replace the CMOS battery?

Boscrazydog · Feb 6, 2016

Bearmann :

Is there a way to test that issue?

In response to your other question, the fan opening was completely blocked with a sheet of paper the case company installed to ironically tell me how to install a power supply correctly.

Bearmann · Feb 6, 2016

Boscrazydog :

Well, that PSU fan pulls in air, so if there was paper covering the whole fan, the PSU likely burned up. The primary way to test the PSU would be to substitute another working PSU, or try your PSU in another working computer.
Just to be sure, I would try your single stick of RAM in each slot to see if it makes a difference (if you were using 2 sticks of RAM, then try each one separately.)

Boscrazydog · Feb 6, 2016

Bearmann :

Just to be clear, the paper was on the case's air filter and the power supply was installed on top of it. The paper was not covering the fan directly. I don't know if that matters, but I thought I'd mention it.

Also I did as you asked and nothing changed.

Bearmann · Feb 6, 2016

I would probably go ahead and order a new PSU. The one that you have, even when new, was not the best. Like you said, if you don't use it your friend can, or you could upgrade your PSU and keep your old one for diagnostics in case you run into this problem again. I would try to get a tier 1 or 2 PSU from this list:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html And when you install it, make sure it gets unobstructed airflow

Boscrazydog · Feb 14, 2016

The new PSU arrived. I installed it and the same thing happened.

Bearmann · Feb 14, 2016

Boscrazydog :

Bummer! I'm guessing MB, but I'll defer to someone with more experience. You could breadboard it, and build it up one component at a time.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-post-boot-video-problems

Boscrazydog · Feb 18, 2016

I replaced the motherboard and the computer worked. However, I have another issue. My cpu goes to 100 degrees during idle. As this is a different issue I made a new post.
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2976662/cpu-reaching-high-temps-idle.html
If you wish to continue assisting me, the link is above.

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