Computer Not Working

[BlueNostromo]

Will try today. Will try shorting out pins 5 and 6 while the computer continues doing its reboot loops for about 4 times. If it doesn't work, we will try that a couple more times. If that doesn't work, we will see about pins 7 and 4, but she definitely cannot micro solder, so it'd be a small paper clip...

 

[BlueNostromo]

Should I make any changes in the bios? You think anything there may have caused the problem? (if this fixes it)

 

[BlueNostromo]

Just tried the 5 & 6 pin method about 3 times, holding it there for quite a bit while it tries to boot itself over and over. We did see a change in what the computer was doing. At a few points it would flash the lights we had connected to the computer. No beeps. Sometimes it would also try to boot and stop much quicker than before. I am not sure what this all means exactly.

Pins 7 & 4 yielded the same results. Anyone think the 4 to 8 pin cpu adapter could be doing anything?

 

[Joe88]

Just try it with the original 4 pin, it should still boot
The other thing is the power supply might be dead and it took components out with it

 

[trents]

Blue,

You should use this as a reason to make the trip and spend some time with your girl. I have a feeling you will never get this thing solved long distance.

 

[BlueNostromo]

Oh trust me, I'm trying. It's a tad complicated though.

 

[BlueNostromo]

We have not tried anything else yet. We are going to file a UPS damaged package report and see if we can get that board replaced. I don't think that the 4 pin to 8 pin CPU adapter could have caused anything because the i5-2500 only pulls around 125W max. A 4 pin cable can supply 192W according to http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#atx12v4

 

[BlueNostromo]

Alright. TRYING to get her parents to allow me to go to her prom. Anyway. We are in an agreement that this is a motherboard problem? Anyone think there is a likelihood it could be the power supply? I am not too experienced with power supply problems. When a power supply dies, does it stop working all together or show signs of prolems like this case?

 

[wingman99]

When some power supply's start to go out they sometimes shut down the PC or are hard starting up the PC however it wont make the PC boot loop.

 

[Mr.Scott]

When some power supply's start to go out they sometimes shut down the PC or are hard starting up the PC however it wont make the PC boot loop.

Oh yes they will.

 

[BlueNostromo]

So would you guys recommend swapping the PSU out aswell?

 

[Mr.Scott]

Well.......it's a 7 or 8 year old CWT unit. I probably would.

 

[wingman99]

Oh yes they will.

How does a PSU make a PC boot loop?

 

[Mr.Scott]

How does a PSU make a PC boot loop?

Are you asking to really know?, or just being a ****.
The answer is googleable, so I assume it's the later, because you don't believe me.

 

[wingman99]

How old are you for your use of language? I did google and I could not find where replacing PSU solved a boot loop. What happens inside the PSU?

 

[Mr.Scott]

Old enough to use it.
And the first couple hits on google pretty much covered it.
It is not the only thing that will cause a boot loop though.
Ram
GPU
Drivers
Motherboard
Corrupted bios
A bad HD
Will all cause a boot loop. Process of elimination is the only way to isolate it. Going off the information given, to the best of my ability, I would go with PSU first, then the board. Without the rig in front of me all any of us are doing is educated guessing anyway. My procedure would be to start with only the CPU only in the board and see if it loops. If it does, it pretty much narrows it down to PSU or board. If it doesn't, you'll need known good parts to sub in for further testing.

 

[Mr.Scott]

What happens inside the PSU?

Voltage surge from overdraw. Usually cap discharge and charge from bad or spent components.

 

[BlueNostromo]

Do you think this power supply would be dangerous to other components to try it out?

 

[Mr.Scott]

No guaranty.

 

[Nebulous]

Old enough to use it.
And the first couple hits on google pretty much covered it.
It is not the only thing that will cause a boot loop though.
Ram
GPU
Drivers
Motherboard
Corrupted bios
A bad HD
Will all cause a boot loop. Process of elimination is the only way to isolate it. Going off the information given, to the best of my ability, I would go with PSU first, then the board. Without the rig in front of me all any of us are doing is educated guessing anyway. My procedure would be to start with only the CPU only in the board and see if it loops. If it does, it pretty much narrows it down to PSU or board. If it doesn't, you'll need known good parts to sub in for further testing.

I concur. Process of elimination is suggested to isolate the issue otherwise as Scotty just mentioned; we're throwing out ideas and hope one sticks to the wall.