Strange boot behavior (new build)

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Z

Zuiu010

Commendable
Nov 1, 2016
3
0
1,510
Greetings guys, I've built a PC on the following platform:

Case - Corsair 100R ATX
PSU - EVGA Bronze 600watts
Gigabyte Z170 SLI
Intel i5 6500

My computer boot cycles every 15 seconds or so, and exhibits the following behavior:
1. My 120mm fans plugged into the motherboard start strong but then slow down.
2. My 140mm fans do not turn at all.
3. I get no video signal, so the system isn't even posting.

I originally thought it was a short, as the case comes with "pre-configured" stays. I removed them and reinstalled everything, including reseating the CPU and HSF, and I get the same behavior.

I then thought it might be a short in my case power switch, so I wired the reset switch to the motherboard, same behavior.

I then went to thinking it was the PSU, so I tried the paper clip test. The PSU turns on with the fan, and stays on. My molex connected 120mm fan turns on, but the 140mm molex connected fan (as a separate test) does not turn on.

At this point I'm leaning in the direction that it's a PSU problem, and I'm ready to RMA it, but I'm not 100% convinced because the PSU does turn on (without automatic restarts) with the paperclip test.

What do you guys think?
 
Solution
Natsukage
Glad to hear it's up and running. ^^

I forgot to add to change slots as well as changing sticks in my first post, even though I do it all the time at work.... I'll suggest changing the RAM slot location from now on.
Normally, modern pc's should boot no matter the location of your RAM stick. There might be an issue with your ram slot (01). Try adding a card in when you're sure everything is okay and check for stability issues.

Have fun with your PC. ^^
Sort by date Sort by votes
Natsukage

Natsukage

Estimable
Oct 28, 2016
1,264
0
2,960
Hello.
Did you try unplugging the 140mm fan then restarting the PC? If that fan doesn't turn but the 120mm fans connected to the same Molex connector do turn on, then your fan might be defective and shorting out the supply. Of course, a low 12V rail will prevent any type of boot.

Other than that, what is your video card: the onboard graphics? Or a separate video card? Usually when there's no boot at all, suspect 4 things: the PSU, the motherboard, the RAM, and the CPU.

Start by removing the fans that don't turn and any molex adapter that might be shorting out your 12v rails.

If you still have no boot, then remove and carefully reseat a single RAM card, then retry. Reseat another card if it still doesn't boot.

If you still have no boot, remove the cooler, and check for any bent pins on the motherboard socket, under the CPU.

If there's no bent pins, the RAM is okay, and the 12V rails functional, then I suggest trying out another power supply. If it still doesn't boot, then I'd RMA your existing one or buy another motherboard.

Hope this helps. ^^
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Z

Zuiu010

Commendable
Nov 1, 2016
3
0
1,510
This PC has onboard video for now.

Just ran the following test:

1. PC start with no 140mm fans at all, still rebooting.
2. PC start with no fans of any kind, still rebooting.
3. PC start with RAM seated into new slot, still rebooting.

I checked the CPU, no bent pins.

I have no spare PSU right now, so I'm asking some friends if I can borrow one.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Shaun o

Shaun o

Illustrious
Oct 7, 2007
6,113
1
41,960
It often has to do with how many ram sticks you have fitted to the motherboard memory slots if the system is boot looping.
Or should I say for example if you have a matched pair of memory sticks of 4Gb each and what memory slots you have inserted them into on your motherboard.

If you have not done so, in your motherboard manual Zuiu010 it will tell you what and where for example each of the first set of matched memory sticks must be placed in each if the four dimm or memory slots on your motherboard in order for the board to be able to check the memory is plugged in.

When it cannot detect the memory modules due to them being positioned in the wrong two memory slots to start off with the board may boot loop every 15 seconds like it is currently doing on you Zuiu010.

Check the manual for the correct memory slots to be used for a set of two memory modules if fitting 8Gb of memory as a matched pair for dual channel memory mode.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Natsukage

Natsukage

Estimable
Oct 28, 2016
1,264
0
2,960
Does the PC reboot even in the BIOS menu? If it doesn't, it might be related to windows and your software.

If it does reboot in the bios, do you have a different RAM card to test out with? If yes, try using it and see if it still reboots. If it still reboots, check out the power supply as mentioned.

Next would be the CPU or motherboard. I hope for you it's the PSU or the RAM. ^^
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Z

Zuiu010

Commendable
Nov 1, 2016
3
0
1,510
Annnnnnnnnd this forum delivered. The memory is a single module of RAM, I seated it into a different slot (was in 01, put it in 03), and now it boots. Slowly added the devices back into the mix, and now it I've got it to boot to a boot order.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Natsukage

Natsukage

Estimable
Oct 28, 2016
1,264
0
2,960
Glad to hear it's up and running. ^^

I forgot to add to change slots as well as changing sticks in my first post, even though I do it all the time at work.... I'll suggest changing the RAM slot location from now on.
Normally, modern pc's should boot no matter the location of your RAM stick. There might be an issue with your ram slot (01). Try adding a card in when you're sure everything is okay and check for stability issues.

Have fun with your PC. ^^
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom