Computer no longer POSTing after installation of Secondary HDD

broz0rs

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Jan 2, 2012
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By "no longer POSTing" in my case, I am unable to get the boot-up screen that allows me to enter BIOS, as well as Windows. I just get a flickering black screen.

Build
Intel i5-2500k
Asus P8Z68-M Pro
Sapphire Radeon HD 6870
Corsair Vengeance Blue 16gb
Antec BP550 Plus
Samsung 830 SSD 128gb
Seagate Barracuda 3 TB GREEN

I have had my system for over a year. It has performed very well over the coarse of that time with the only curious thing being that whenever I would turn on the computer the PS would turn off after three seconds and turn itself on again, then proceed to boot up the system as normal.

I decided to install a secondary HDD because an SSD and external wasn't enough for my needs. I purchased the 3 TB Seagate and installation was a breeze. It integrated pretty decently with my system. The only noticeable thing was that it added ten seconds of start up on the "Starting Windows" screen.

After two days since installing the 3 TB Seagate, I noticed that my system went to sleep on me when I had it on for about five hours. I turned off the power button, restarted the system, used it for another half an hour, and proceeded to properly shut down the system. That was the last time I was able to boot the computer.

What happens is as follows.
1. The PS no longer stalls like I mentioned, it stays on.
2. Computer does not POST and no BIOS start up shows up, and I can't enter if I press Delete.
3. Needless to say, Windows does not start up.
4. My LED monitor flickers, but nothing shows up.
5. I get only one short beep from the speaker, which has always been the case when I turn on the computer.

What I did to try to fix the problem were the following. Results were all the same as I stated above.
1. Removed the secondary HD
2. Unplugged and replugged all the power connectors
3. Reset BIOS with jumper switched to 2-3 pins for ten minutes. Switched back to 1-2 pins.
4. Attempted to turn on computer with only motherboard, processor, two sticks of memory.

I've had problems before, but this is the the worst considering I can't even enter BIOS. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 

thenh813

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Mar 5, 2013
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The PSU is probabally dead or partially failed (more likely).
As I posted on another thread:

<quote>
This will help rule out PSU if the MB will not power up/keep powering off.
It is very likely the PSU and I would reccomend using the paperclip trick:
http://aphnetworks.com/tutorials/psu_paperclip_trick

Please try the test and post back the voltages on EVERY wire.
You will need a analog or digital voltmeter to check these values.
Good voltages:
Orange to black: 3.3v [3.0v-3.7v]
Red to Black: 5v [4.5v-5.5v]
Yellow to black: 12v [11v-13v]
Grey to black: 5v [4.5v-5.5v]
The grey wire tells the CPU to start up.
Blue to black: -12v [-11.5v--13v]
Purple to black: 5v [4.5v-5.5v] (with paperclip removed)
The purple wire powers the MB when it is in standby or off.
Black to black: NOTHING [-0.100-+0.100]

If the voltages are not within the mentioned ranges, something is wrong.
If they are OK at no load without anything plugged in, add a load
like a medium size 12v electric motor or 50W Halogen headlight to the 12v rail
and retest all values, if any are off the limits the PSU is JUNK and should
never be attached to hardware again. If the values are close to the limits,
leave it running for a hour and retest again, if any are off the limits it is dead.

Hope this can help, if the PSU is fine then MB testing will begin with a new or
borrowed know good PSU. Have a good day/night and I will chech this thread
again tomorrow. TO me I believe (and hope) it is just the PSU. As long as
you didnt smell burning PCB or the MB wasnt sparking/smoking you can have hope.
</quote>

I believe either the +5 or +3.3 died and only standby power and other voltages
is being supplied, explaining the PC being in standby with no way to wake it.
Please try this test to rule out the PSU going bad.
NOTICE: If the PSU decided to die in a very horrible way, it could have taken
out the MB and all your other hardware with it (great, right?). Hopefully all
that needs to be done is buy a new PSU. Hope this suggestion/test helps.
 

broz0rs

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Jan 2, 2012
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thanks for your reply. I'll try out the paper clip test this weekend.

I forgot to mention that all my CPU fans spin. (2x 200 mm, 1x 100 mm, heatsink fan). The DVD drive also opens. The GPU also spins from a test I tried out.

Could the PSU still be faulty even with the working fans and bay drive?

 

thenh813

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Yes, because a small motor in a fan or CD/DVD drive takes so little power that they most definitely still spin. In fact a 9V battery will spin a fan but slightly slower than it should even though it is not 12V. I hav ran a CD drive as a CD player off a lantern battery and a 5V regulator and the CD drive drive worked down to 10V input but any other electronics are not a durable and require very clean regulated proper voltage power. I feel so bad I was so late in relpying but iv been so busy that I only noticed you replied when I posted a question of my own. Hope you can work this out and have a great day!