Computer fails to POST

VikingDrummer

New member
I received my computer in August and for most of the time it has been working perfectly (Despite having to return it after the initial delivery, when the case was cracked).
However, at the start of November, it starting having issues where the PC would not boot up correctly; the fans would spin, the LEDs would light up, but there was no signal to the monitor and no beep to indicate the post was successful.
After some searching on the internet, I was told to reseat the RAM and clean out any dust from the RAM slots. I tried this, and it made no difference. I have also tried to run the computer using a different set of RAM, assuming that the RAM that may have came with the PC was faulty. This also made no difference. If I run the MemOK! module on my motherboard, it blinks red constantly and sometimes the computer will post after a few minutes.

My system specs are:

Processor (CPU) AMD BULLDOZER EIGHT CORE FX-8120 (3.10GHz/8MB CACHE/AM3+)
Motherboard ASUS® M5A97: AM3+ PLATFORM, DUAL DDR3, SATA 6.0GB/s, USB 3.0
Memory (RAM) 8GB SAMSUNG DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 X 4GB) OR 8GB KINGSTON HYPERX DDR3 1600MHz CL9 DIMM (2x 4GB)
Graphics Card 2GB AMD RADEON™ HD7850 - DVI,HDMI,2 mDP - DX® 11, Eyefinity 4 Capable
Memory - 1st Hard Disk 1TB 3.5" SATA-III 6GB/s HDD 7200RPM 32MB CACHE
Power Supply 450W Quiet 80 PLUS Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan (Are you sure 450W is right for this system?)
Processor Cooling SUPER QUIET 22dBA TRIPLE COPPER HEATPIPE AMD CPU COOLER

What I don't understand is that the will still occasionally boot with no issues and no MemOK! lighting up, sometimes it will boot and there will be two long flashes of MemOK! before the POST beep. Given that I've tested the RAM and it hasn't made no difference, I believe the issue could be from a different piece of hardware. It could also be a problem with the RAM slots (The system came configured with the RAM in the black slots), but I am unable to test the other two slots, due to the CPU fan blocking access two one of them.

Other people who have had this issue have found that it was the strength of the power supply that was the problem, but I'm using the power supply that provided the output recommended by PCSpecialist's configuration checker.

Another issue I noticed was that when I used the replacement RAM that I bought last week, it does not run at the 1600Mhz speed on my motherboard; according to the BIOS it is running at 1333.

The only possible checks I can find are to clear the CMOS, which I'm not quite sure how to do, or to update the BIOS, which I've heard could be potentially disastrous for my motherboard if the file is corrupted or the update fails.

Does anyone have any advice for troubleshooting before I send the computer to PCSpecialist for them to repair? Also, to what extent can I test my machine without voiding the warranty?:wacko:
 

LiddleP

Bronze Level Poster
From what you describe, though it could be the PSU I somehow doubt it, my first thoughts go to the seating of your Graphics card, it might be just a tad offset maybe from you moving the box about or even just reconnecting the monitor cable - try removing blowing some compressed air at the slot and reseating it, there might be a locking tab at one end of the cards so be careful not to break it by forcing things.

Your Ram is a different matter, try going back to the original, bear in mind that your components are static sensitive and can be damaged by simply getting too close to them when you hold static charge. Always try and discharge by touching the case while it is plugged in to an outlet, even if the outlet is itself turned off.

Good Luck, hope it helps
 
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