First power surge detected

fullofclovers

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Sep 18, 2013
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Was doing some game art and suddenly my computer restarted before prompting something about a power surge had been detected on boot. At the time, I had a level I was working on in Unreal Engine 4, Modo (3d application) and chrome open with a few tabs.

The only change I made to the computer was I updated my video drivers to the latest Nvidia ones maybe 15mins prior to the power surge.

I opened the computer up to check for any blown components. Nothing caught my eye. I'm really clueless where to start and how to determine what could have caused the shut down. If someone could be so kind on running me through a checklist I would really appreciate it.

Thank you.

System Specs:
Windows 10 64-bit
Intel i7-4770K
ASUS Z87-PRO
Corsair Vengeance 8gb x 2 @1600 via XMP Profile
EVGA SuperClocked w/ ACX Cooling GeForce GTX 770 2GB
SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Western Digital 2TB @7200rpm 64mb
CORSAIR HX Series HX850 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91
 

fullofclovers

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Sep 18, 2013
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It did reboot on it's own. After it rebooted it displayed the Asus logo with a warning that a power surge was detected and the computer tried to protect against it. Something along those lines. TBH I was nervous my work I was in the middle of had gotten corrupted during the shutdown I quickly hit F1 before considering to read it all the way or snap a pic.

After it restarted I opened my work to verify it was ok before shutting it down. That is when I checked the inside out for anything out of the ordinary. It's unplugged now, on the laptop trying to figure this out.
 

ravenjedmanicdao

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Sep 19, 2016
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Your motherboard turned itself off in a power surge, most motherboards have a surge suppressor, along with the PSU, so they can absorb the surges, but only so much. I highly recommend you getting a surge protector in case it happens again, you will never know if a power surge is fatal or not, it's better to be on the safe side.
 

Flying Head

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Apr 14, 2013
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The Administrator HHC at Asus Support Forum on 09/04/2012 said "the suddent shutdown followed by the Anti-Surge warning message was the Anti-Surge protection function on this board, where in cases when your PSU supplies its +12V/+5V/+3.3V power with the voltage level of more than +-10% from the rated value, it will shutdown your system to protect it from being damaged due to unstable delivery of power." https://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=20120823094850641&board_id=1&model=SABERTOOTH+Z77&SLanguage=en-us&page=2 This is the only definition of Asus Power Surge that I have seen. So very many people have this issue it is astounding that an understanding and solution has not been found. Many have great power supplies. A search on the Asus Forum reveals a pile of similar inquiries.

Do you have Asus Suite installed? Try removing it (a plug for Revo Uninstaller).
 

fullofclovers

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Sep 18, 2013
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I do not have the Asus Suite installed. I remember hearing it caused more harm than good when I first put the build together a few years ago so I quickly uninstalled it.

Also, I do have the computer plugged directly to a surge protector.

Looking around at other solutions, I suppose I'll try another PSU. I'm always nervous when it comes to hardware issues. Hopefully it is only the PSU.

I'll be sure to report back when if I get this sorted out.

But if anyone else has any advice I'm all ears!

Thanks.
 

Flying Head

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FYI a surge protector is only useful for Power Grid spikes, and not under or overvoltage at the wall outlet. The solution for perfect wall AC is a dual conversion UPS, where the AC is re-generated from DC and not dependent upon happenings at the wall socket. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply and http://www.qpsolutions.net/2015/06/line-interactive-vs-double-conversion-ups-which-ones-best/
The Asus Power Fault is a voltage disturbance of the PSU. It is very peculiar that most complaints are from Corsair PSU's (sorry Corsair, don't sue me). The root cause is still unknown. Some person with the affliction and also has an oscilloscope may someday offer a picture.

Have you tried to re-seat the MB power connectors?

Good fortune!
 

fullofclovers

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Sep 18, 2013
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For those looking at this in the future....so far so good. I gave it a week and haven't had any related issues. Seems it was a random power surge on this particular outlet in my home.

I'll be sure to post back if the situation changes. But I feel I'm in the clear.