PC won't POST help me figure out if its bad motherboard, CPU, or PSU.

Riley77

Commendable
Feb 2, 2017
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My pc randomly froze I noticed because my mouse disconnected. I unplugged mouse replugged in and it lit up but pc screen was still froze. I turned off PC and turned back on and all it will do is turn on for 2-3 seconds then power off and then turn back on 2-3 seconds then off in a loop. Screen doesn't load pc isn't loading to POST. I doubt it is the PSU since the pc froze initially instead of powering down or failing to power up. I have it narrowed down to motherboard or CPU how can I test either of them to see if they are good? Please tell me what you believe the problem is... thanks

Edit: This isn't a newly built PC so I know something had to have gone bad I've had the PC for over 5 years with the same build.

Motherboard: Gigabyte P67A-D3-B3
CPU: Intel Core i5 2310 2.90Ghz
RAM: PNY XLR8 2x2GB DDR3 + Patriot 2x4GB DDR3
PSU: 500W
 
Solution
G
The motherboard is mostly like dead since it is cycling in 2-3 seconds periods.
The motherboard starts the POST, but something goes wrong or a test fail and the motherboard needs to shutdown, but since it doesn't shutdown itself, the motherboard reset instead and repeat everything.
Or something is not correctly connected. Check if the components are plugged and tightened correctly - no need to test the CPU and cooler.
There are a number of things that can cause a boot loop as you describe Riley77.

First replace the CMOS battery as a dead or dying CR2032 can prevent POST and only around $4 to replace.

Test your RAM by using just one module in the first slot and try switching them around and in different slots. If it posts and boots with one of the modules then do a Memtest86+ by booting from a USB with the Memtest86+ app installed.

I notice you have mixed kits of RAM and this is never a good idea as the kits may not work together properly and Bios is confused.

Don't discount the PSU as this could be the cause so swap it out with a working unit of the same or higher Wattage or have it tested under load.

It can be a corrupted Bios so try clearing CMOS or re-flash your Bios and update to latest version.

Try the above and please report back.

 

Riley77

Commendable
Feb 2, 2017
30
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1,540


READ ALL BELOW

I already tested ram by putting in each slot 1 at a time on each of them.

I already took out CMOS and put back in.

I can't reflash BIOS because PC won't even boot to BIOS before POST unless theres another way.

I have mixed RAM but its the same speeds and it worked before.

My PC was on, and it froze, after restarting it boots up 2-3 seconds turns off, turns back on 2-3 seconds turns off in a loop continuously. I hear no beep errors like I did previous when PC has no memory inserted. Does this sound like a motherboard issue since I hear no beep errors??
 

NaXos Gaming

Commendable
Jan 7, 2017
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1,710
sound like a motherboard failiure coz it wont even go to bios

1) but this other guys sayed "First replace the CMOS battery as a dead or dying CR2032 can prevent POST and only around $4 to replace."
u just took it out and put it back in
i would say replace it its 4$ better then a new mobo or cpu of that age

2) how much money do u have on hand? i would try to get a mobo first (it does not have to be the same mobo but 1 that have a lga1155 socket just like the one u got now) and if does still not work send it back and get a cpu
 
G

Guest

Guest
The motherboard is mostly like dead since it is cycling in 2-3 seconds periods.
The motherboard starts the POST, but something goes wrong or a test fail and the motherboard needs to shutdown, but since it doesn't shutdown itself, the motherboard reset instead and repeat everything.
Or something is not correctly connected. Check if the components are plugged and tightened correctly - no need to test the CPU and cooler.
 
Solution