Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question
Solved

PC Won't Start

Tags:
  • Power
  • Components
Last response: in Components
Share
October 2, 2011 2:53:04 AM

I am having an issue with one of my computers. It has been running without any issues at all, but today, it suddenly won't start up. When you hit the power button, the lights go on and the fans start spinning for about one second, then it stops. This happens each time I hit the power button.

Here are the specs on the system:

Asus P5Q-E motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad CPU
8 GB DDR2 SDRAM
700 watt Corsair PSU (only a few months old)
Geforce GTX 285 graphics
Creative Sound Blaster Xtreme Audio

I can't think of anything else to do. Here is what I have tried so far:

Reseating cables
Replaced power cable
Checked all connections to motherboard
Removed RAM, tried booting without
Removed add-in cards, one by one
Reseated power connections to MB
Removed the motherboard and reseated it

The LED lights on the motherboard light up, but it doesn't make any error sounds, even when I boot without a video card, RAM, etc.
The PSU lights up and spins, and all case fans spin, but only for a split second.

My guess is that the motherboard died on me, since I don't get any error beeps from it, and the PSU seems to be providing power just fine. Any ideas? Thanks!

More about : start

Best solution

October 2, 2011 5:48:43 PM

It probably is the motherboard, but how did you test the PSU? In another system or by using a paper clip and checking the voltages with a DVM? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogkIwzsUAsE
Share
October 2, 2011 6:09:15 PM

Is your speaker plugged in?
m
0
l
Related resources
October 2, 2011 8:44:51 PM

GhislainG said:
It probably is the motherboard, but how did you test the PSU? In another system or by using a paper clip and checking the voltages with a DVM? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogkIwzsUAsE

I am going to do the paperclip test today, just to make sure. I will post back again after I try it.
m
0
l
October 2, 2011 8:46:23 PM

FinneousPJ said:
Is your speaker plugged in?

That's a great point. There is no speaker connected. Haha. However, when I thought about it, I don't think it's staying on long enough to hit the point where it would give any beep errors anyway. It stays on for less than a second before turning off. I am going to try the paperclip test on the PSU today to rule that piece out, and I will update then.
m
0
l
October 2, 2011 8:51:07 PM

I'd have guessed it's the PSU but if it's working then it must be the mobo.
m
0
l
October 2, 2011 9:06:34 PM

maybe its the power switch in the tower......
m
0
l
October 2, 2011 10:53:36 PM

teaser said:
maybe its the power switch in the tower......

No, I had that set to on. It wouldn't start at all without it, and it does start for a split second. I am going to try shorting the PSU today, and I will post an update on the results later on.
m
0
l
October 2, 2011 11:03:38 PM

Restart the com;putr
m
0
l
October 4, 2011 5:40:19 AM

The PSU runs like a champ when I short the 24-pin, so it looks like it's the motherboard. If I am missing any possible point here, please let me know. Otherwise, I am going to assume the MB just died. =-(
Thanks for all the tips guys. I really appreciate it.
m
0
l
October 4, 2011 4:49:02 PM

Best answer selected by Caldrumr.
m
0
l
!