Power on then, runs for 10 secs max before cutting out..

[basepointdesignz]

Hi,

My friend's pc has stopped working altogether now..

It started randomly turning off recently, lasted for random amounts of time but always got more frequent when hot, but since i took off the heatsink and fan, which was caked in dust, cleaned it thoroughly, applied some therm gel to the heatsink and reassembled, it now only lasts 10 seconds max before cutting off. Doesn't even get to the beep..

I tried 3 different power supplies, not new but spares i had and another graphics card. All the spares i tried were a lot less powerful than the one it had in it before but still no luck with the pc only on for a few seconds now..

Worse case i guess it could have blown the processor yeah? or could i just have had bad luck matching faulty hardware in the pc when testing out the spares i had, lol?

Any ideas?


Cheers,

Paul
basepointdesignzltd..
XP Pro..
Pentium Core 2 Q6600 Quad Core
ASUS P5N-E SLI Motherboard
4GB DDR2 RAM
2 x SLI NVIDIA 8500GT SLi 1024MB DDR2 PCI-Express Graphics Cards

 

[BadBigBen]

Paul, it sounds more like a bad HeatSink Fan...

the circuits of the mainboard cut out if they do not detect the correct impulses from the fan...

if you have a spare lying around, does not matter if it fits at present, then just unplug the cable and attach the other one to the connector, and power up, just don't leave it running for too long...

also reseat RAM and CLR CMOS...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[SimonDavies]

I would go further and say reseat all the cards, ram and unplug anything not essential at the moment.

I would also perhaps reapply some thermal compound to the processor, it could just be that the compound is so old it's not doing the job it's supposed to.
Just make sure you clean off the old compound from the heatsink and the cpu with some isopropyl alcohol, something that doesn't leave a residue.

Also make sure that you apply the thermal paste correctly (ie don't over do it and also make sure you apply it to the core of the cpu (or cores if more than one)).

Simon

The real world is not about exam scores, it's about ability.

 

[paparazi]

I would hazard a guess that one or more of those awkward heatsink retaining posts are not pushed all the way home and that the heatsink is not sitting squarely on the CPU.
These black plastic retaining posts are notoriously dificult to reset and to click properly in place.
You should be using a high quality metal partical paste (white silicon based heat transfer compound is not good enough for a quad core) something like Arctic Silver.
Martin

On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep

 

[cigol01]

did you try a new power supply or exchaning with one from another computer??? this could also be a boot virus

LAPTOP REPAIRS FALKIRK

 

[gbaughma]

My vote is on either:
1) A bad heat sink clip or bad contact between the heat sink and the CPU or
2) Bad thermal compound. I have seen it get old, get hard, and stop working well.

Either way... the problem you are describing is 99.9% of the time an overheating CPU.

cigol01: It wouldn't be a boot virus... he stated he's not even getting to the POST beep before it shuts down.

BigBadBen: The last PC I worked on where the heat sink fan went bad wouldn't even power up. At all.



Just my 2¢

"What the captain doesn't realize is that we've secretly replaced his Dilithium Crystals with new Folger's Crystals."

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[BadBigBen]

Greg, my ASUS P5Q, just beeps a few times, and then tells you that the FAN failed... Other mainboards that I have see, would either not power up, just as you described, or would power up, then cut out completely, as described by basepointdesignz...

basepointdesignz - Do report back, and with a bit more info on the system, if possible, e.g. make, model, manufacturer of mainboard, what you have tried since the first post, all that may help in finding the problem source...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[goodtime212]

Try taking out the processor and turning it on again. I have a feeling that exactly the same will happen. The board will fire up but if it doesn't 'see' a FULLY operable CPU it will shut off after 10 secs. Change the CPU but with a new heatsink/fan. If you have another PC available you could also try that CPU in that just to totally ease your mind to bin the CPU.

G'Luck Ray

 

[basepointdesignz]

Hey everybody,

Thanks for the replies and advice and sorry for not getting back for a while but i'm a little further down my investigation now...

After taking out everything and cleaning it all, re-seating the cpu and heatsink with thermal paste and making sure the heatsink is seated properly and the fan too, the pc, when turned on again, runs as if working, but there is still no bios beep and plugging in a graphics card, it won't diasplay anything on screen..

The 'no bios beep' worries me as it could be either of the mb, cpu or ram (so i'm told)..

Any ideas?



Cheers,

Paul
basepointdesignzltd..
XP Pro..
Pentium Core 2 Q6600 Quad Core
ASUS P5N-E SLI Motherboard
4GB DDR2 RAM
2 x SLI NVIDIA 8500GT SLi 1024MB DDR2 PCI-Express Graphics Cards

 

[goodtime212]

I'mm 99..999999% on the CPU....CPU makes the beep...Like it say's it's the 'central processing unit' and it is in charge of the lot...so NO beep?
Before you , possibly, cause more damage get the CPU tested...have you got a mate with the same CPU socket? Is there a local shop where you can get it tested..PC World will do it honestly but when it fails you get 1000 salesmen trying to sell you a new one. The CPU must still be in warranty so if it's goosed go on the manufactors site...input the serial no. and off you go ..Job Done eh?
Ray

G'Luck Ray