Random Reboots even in BIOS - CPU or Motherboard?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
R

redfinger

Honorable
Apr 28, 2013
43
0
10,540
Hey all;

I have been experiences random reboots and I have been swapping out hardware and the problem is still there. The only exception is the CPU and motherboard, both of which have not been swapped out due to me not having a spare motherboard/CPU of the same socket.

My Current Specs are:
i5-4670k (stock speeds)
MSI GTX 760 (stock clock)
8GB Corsair Vengence Memory
MSI Z87-G45
Corsair CX650M
OS Drive - 240GB Kingston SSD; Storage Drive - WD Black HDD 1TB
Windows 10 - 64bit

Given that the computer even reboots while in the BIOS, I know it's not windows.
The actual questions I wish to ask are:
- Is my hypothesis accurate, suggesting it is the CPU or motherboard?
and
- What is it most likely to be, what should I buy, or just buy both?

Thanks for your time
:)
 
Solution
Chicano
1. May be something shorts out the motherboard on the side panel... who knows.
2. You'll have to determine where on the side panel.
3. inspect the motherboard underside for signs of contact, spilled substances, any metal object lodged under the motherboard, a lose screw, anything out of the ordinary.
4. if there is something stuck under the motherboard, if the panel fits normally on the case.
5. If anything rests on the side panel, like a wire, and if the CPU overheats, removing the side panels may allow better cooling.
6. If your case has chassis intrussion detection, it may deffective and cause the issue.

PC Chassis Intrusion Detection
http://bucarotechelp.com/computers/netsafe/88100101.asp
Sort by date Sort by votes
darkguset

darkguset

Distinguished
Aug 17, 2006
1,140
0
19,460
One of the first things to test is shorting. Unplug everything and set up a barebone system outside of the case (typically use your motherboard carton box as a motherboard stand). Only connect your CPU, memory, VGA and monitor to it and boot into BIOS. Does it still reboot? If not, then you know that your motherboard was probably shorting somewhere (metal parts touching the ground somewhere - check for loose/lost screws in your box).

Also check your CPU temperature. Check other temperatures on the motherboard (inside the BIOS).

If all the above looks good:
Try updating your motherboard's BIOS to the latest one (flash)

Increase the FSB by 1MHz (eg. if default is 100MHz, take it to 100.1 or 101MHz, save and restart)

Once all of the above look OK, put back everything in your case, make sure nothing is touching at the back of the motherboard (nothing is shorting) and reboot.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

thx1138v2

Splendid
Jun 18, 2011
2,172
97
22,040
If the machine has ever been stable I would be suspicious of the PSU unless it is a recent model. Corsair's CX series had problems at one time.

You said you swapped parts out but have you tried it from a minimum configuration and then adding parts?

Start with PSU, mobo, and CPU only. You should get beeps saying there is no RAM. Let it sit and see if it reboots itself. Then add one RAM module and try again. Then add the other RAM module and try again. Etc until you find a part that causes the reboot.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Chicano

Chicano

Judicious
Aug 29, 2011
5,071
29
35,490
I suppose the computer just reboots without warning and without a blue screen?.. I doubt it writes a dump file but see if BlueScreenView finds one. http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html

If there is no recorded dump file, it's because an issue was not detected by Windows and it just happened suddenly and didn't allow time to create a dump file... this type of reboots can be caused by the PSU... so that should be what to replace first... mobo or CPU issues normally make the system unbootable and usually don't even allow video display. Your comment on not having spare parts of the same socket hints you do have other computers and possibly a compatible PSU? so swap one to test and see if it makes a difference.

If BlueScreenView does find a dump file with coinciding date, see what it recorded. If it was a driver issue (doubtful) that usually records an error code, use SlimDrivers to find outdated drivers and update them, next remove the driver app.

If none of these suggestion has worked so far, install HWiNFO and run it in Sensors only mode, take screenshots of the report and upload them to Tinypic.com to post here the link/s or images.


How to configure Windows to create MiniDump files on BSOD
http://blog.nirsoft.net/2010/07/27/how-to-configure-windows-to-create-minidump-files-on-bsod/

http://bit.do/configure-windows-to-write-a-dump-file

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

redfinger

Honorable
Apr 28, 2013
43
0
10,540


Thanks for the response, nothing with the dump files and my PC doesn't stay on long enough for your second option.
I am going to try taking the system out, and trying it that way. I thought it was a PSU issue initially and got a replacement from corsair and the problem is still here over the two different PSUs. Any other suggestions?
Thanks
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

SgtScream

Splendid
Dec 8, 2016
8,536
450
26,740
The first thing I would check before disassembling your rig is reseat your memory then test for instability.
Second - Only have these items plugged into the motherboard:
PSU
Memory
Monitor plugged into igpu.
Do the restarts replicate?

Check to find if there is metal touching metal, where there shouldn't be:
First inspect your IO shield. Sometimes when you insert the motherboard, those metal clips from the io shield get accidentally inserted inside the motherboard ports. This results in a grounding issue because those metal clips are touching the inside of the motherboard ports.
Second - just spend a good 15 minutes just physically looking over the whole system to find any metal touching metal anywhere.
Third - Take your system board out of the case and count the holes in the board vs. the number of copper standoffs. They should be the same number.
Lastly - As darkguset suggested, assemble your computer outside the case and test to see if the issue replicates.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

redfinger

Honorable
Apr 28, 2013
43
0
10,540


Hey and thanks for the response...

It has been a long while since I turned it on out of the case and it hasn't restarted since. When removing the motherboard out of 9 standoffs I only had 8 screws... could this be the problem?

Thanks
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

SgtScream

Splendid
Dec 8, 2016
8,536
450
26,740

You need to match and align the same number of standoffs with the holes on the motherboard. They all need screws.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

redfinger

Honorable
Apr 28, 2013
43
0
10,540


How much of an issue would it be if one of the screws is slightly different?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

SgtScream

Splendid
Dec 8, 2016
8,536
450
26,740

How so?

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Chicano

Chicano

Judicious
Aug 29, 2011
5,071
29
35,490

If the screw thread is the same it should be OK.. and only one screw missing shouldn't be a problem unless other screws are lose.. and since you have it running out of the case without issues, seems like there was something grounding the motherboard.

When reasembling the computer:
1. make sure all standoffs are screwed in firmly, but not overtightened.
2.. make sure to use all 9 screws and tighten them firmly but not too tight.
3. [strike]You will need to use cardboard washers between the screw and the motherboard on holes that don't have metallic rings around them if the motherboard has non metal ligned holes and you don't have cardboard washers, it's better not to use screws on them. [/strike]
(the washers prevent shorts between the motherboard and case).
4. Tighten the screws in a criss-cross pattern while aligning the motherboard and start tightening the screws very slightly. Tighten them firmly in a second step and tighten them firmly in a third step.

How to Install a Motherboard
http://www.wikihow.com/Install-a-Motherboard


EDIT 3. Looked at the motherboard and all 9 screwholes are ligned with grounding metal so ignore the suggestion on using cardboard washers.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

redfinger

Honorable
Apr 28, 2013
43
0
10,540


Hi thanks for your help, and sorry for the late reply. Soon after I thought I was in the all clear it rebooted again.
Since then I have detached the panels of the case and now the computer doesn't reboot. While it is working fine, I'm just wondering what having the panels on could effect the motherboard.
Thanks
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Chicano

Chicano

Judicious
Aug 29, 2011
5,071
29
35,490
1. May be something shorts out the motherboard on the side panel... who knows.
2. You'll have to determine where on the side panel.
3. inspect the motherboard underside for signs of contact, spilled substances, any metal object lodged under the motherboard, a lose screw, anything out of the ordinary.
4. if there is something stuck under the motherboard, if the panel fits normally on the case.
5. If anything rests on the side panel, like a wire, and if the CPU overheats, removing the side panels may allow better cooling.
6. If your case has chassis intrussion detection, it may deffective and cause the issue.

PC Chassis Intrusion Detection
http://bucarotechelp.com/computers/netsafe/88100101.asp
 
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