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Thread ID: 148004	2019-06-13 05:31:00	Desktop PC on the blink	Jayess64 (8703)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1461480	2019-06-13 05:31:00	This morning my PC failed to start. Symptoms: Pressing power switch resulted in power LED coming on, fans starting, disk access LED flashed, then sound of a relay clicking every couple of seconds -nothing else, no monitor picture, no boot-up. The clicking is not a disk drive; boot disk is SSD, disconnecting the two data HDs makes no difference. I can't locate the source of the clicks except to say they appear to come from the vicinity of the power switch. The case assembly & cables conceal the part of the motherboard in this area. This is a self-assembled PC and the components are not new. Can anyone suggest the most likely culprit? P/S: Silverstone 600W, purchased 2012 MB: Gigabyte GA-H97-HD3, purchased 2014 CPU: Intel i5-4570, purchased 2014 Case: Gigabyte Triton, purchased 2008	Jayess64 (8703)
1461481	2019-06-13 06:13:00	I can't locate the source of the clicks except to say they appear to come from the vicinity of the power switch. Test the switch first, this will either confirm its faulty or not. Locate the front panel plugs, pull off the power switch plugs from the pins, 9738 Take a flat bladed Screw driver and touch the two pins at the same time, this will cause the power to activate and boot the PC into life (same thing the switch does) if its the switch it will boot OK, if its still clicking could be a fan in the front as well. Guessing where a sound is coming from is not such a good idea, you have to get down close and really listen, track it down.	wainuitech (129)
1461482	2019-06-13 11:03:00	I tried your suggestion about the switch (great fun poking around a live motherboard with a metal screwdriver!). The board fired up as before and just sat there with the fans spinning but no boot-up. This mysterious clicking seems to be significant - the source is in the vicinity of the switch, but it's not the fan. I discovered that I could also get it by pressing the reset button. In other words, it appears that the board is constantly being given a reset signal and that's why there is no boot-up. I tried detaching the reset leads form the board, but this had no effect. The reset button itself is not the cause of the problem. I can't think of a way that the power supply could cause this condition, and I am starting to wonder if it is the motherboard itself, and what fun that will be. I constantly image the system drive, but it won't be much help if I have to replace the board. I run Win 10 with a local account, so presumably I will have to go grovelling to Microsoft to set up my own computer again.	Jayess64 (8703)
1461483	2019-06-13 21:01:00	OK, not the switches, still can be the power supply, while you can go through all the ups and downs of testing voltages etc, the quickest way to test it is to attach a known good power Supply. Its either going to sort it or not. Sometimes fault finding is process of elimination, changing parts, removing RAM, blowing out, replacing, unplugging various items (hard Drives, Optical drives). Unless its obvious like blow /burnt components or the smokes coming out :D As for replacing the motherboard if you have to you can still reactivate the current licence, Microsoft have ways you can do it. Example of how ( IF required) support.microsoft.com	wainuitech (129)
1461484	2019-06-13 21:39:00	One other thing I just remembered to check, try changing the CMOS battery on the motherboard . Had a customers Dell PC here a few weeks back some other person had looked at it and said the motherboard was dead, after changing parts it looked like it was, fans would spin up but that's all, no graphics, no error beeps - nought . Changed the CMOS battery and away it went, been good as gold ever since . They are cheap enough pick one up from your local supermarket on the battery stands .	wainuitech (129)
1461485	2019-06-13 22:05:00	One other thing I just remembered to check, try changing the CMOS battery on the motherboard . . How old does it have to be to have a dead CMOS battery? Mine is 9 years and still happy	piroska (17583)
1461486	2019-06-13 22:11:00	How old does it have to be to have a dead CMOS battery? Mine is 9 years and still happy I've had a few older machines have issues with the Battery, anything over 5 years old and it becomes a suspect. I think part of it depends how long the motherboard has sat around with no power on it relying on the battery to maintain the clock and BIOS settings, in some cases for a few years sitting in a cupboard.	dugimodo (138)
1461487	2019-06-13 22:13:00	One other thing I just remembered to check, try changing the CMOS battery on the motherboard . Had a customers Dell PC here a few weeks back some other person had looked at it and said the motherboard was dead, after changing parts it looked like it was, fans would spin up but that's all, no graphics, no error beeps - nought . Changed the CMOS battery and away it went, been good as gold ever since . They are cheap enough pick one up from your local supermarket on the battery stands . I agree with all you say, but I have made some progress . I decided this morning to disconnect everything not essential and try running bare-bones . I started with a RAM module and got it first time! It nearly fooled me though, because when I re-inserted the module the system still worked . I closed up the case and returned it to its usual position, tried to start and the problem was there again . So, pull out the suspect RAM and try again . It's still running and in fact I am using it to write this post . I had wondered about the CMOS battery - it's 5 years old so I might replace it anyway . I shall also replace both RAM modules and hope for the best . Let me say that I appreciate your responses and suggestions . Dealing with these problems becomes easier if you can toss ideas back and forth with someone who knows what they are talking about .	Jayess64 (8703)
1461488	2019-06-13 22:18:00	I've had a few older machines have issues with the Battery, anything over 5 years old and it becomes a suspect. I think part of it depends how long the motherboard has sat around with no power on it relying on the battery to maintain the clock and BIOS settings, in some cases for a few years sitting in a cupboard. You are right. Replacing a 5-year old battery is simple, sensible and cheap. It's one of those things that are very easy to forget.	Jayess64 (8703)
1461489	2019-06-13 23:16:00	Try the easy things first :-) Remove & re-seat the RAM. If more than 1 stick, try just a single stick unplug ALL cables from the motherboard ,incl SATA, except the 2 big power connectors . Unplug power cable from the HD's Unplug all USB devives, kb & mouse Make sure the USB connector for the front USB is unplugged from the motherboard . Faulty USB ports can cause this Visually inspect the USB ports on the motherboard, look for broken USB ports, pins shorting in the USB port. Chances are its power supply or motherboard failing. Power supply is more commonly the issue. Plug in the kb again & start the PC. Press the numlock & caps lock to see if those lights on the kb come on. Unplug the monitor & try the kb test again.	1101 (13337)
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