My system powers on/off continuously.

[ironfalconx]

First off i really do not know if it has been brought before, i already tried searching this forum but maybe i'm not using the correct keywords that's why my search has been fruitless.

Well the problem goes like this: My system has been working perfectly fine yesterday until I shut it down. Today when I tried to power it up, it just keeps going on and off in a loop. I've been searching for an answer all day, I found stuffs like FOS problem with the HSF, faulty PSU, grounded chassis and so on. I already tried running it on standalone, meaning taking the board out of its chassis and just shorting it to power it up. I was hoping it could help me determine the exact problem; and yeah it did its just that I have no idea what to do next.

The problem was in the mainboard. It is an ECS 945gcp-m2/1333. The problem is that when I remove the 4Pin 12V, the power stays stable but of course it won't boot since it needs the 4Pin for the processor. But when I try to plug it back, the problem is there, it just keeps going on and off. At this point I believe I had already done all possible way to determine what is the problem so I'm pretty sure its just the mainboard. I already had removed the processor and replaced the heatsink paste then put it back together. I'm just testing the board with the JUST the PSU plugged in, no VC and no DIMMs, already did cross hardware; replaced the PSU with a working one and another processor of the same model but to no avail. I already tried another working HSF but still, no success.

I have this strong feeling that the board ain't dead yet and there is still something i can do with it. Could anyone please give me some idea? For those who have the same problem before (except for replacing the mobo), can you please share me your story? Any response would be gladly appreciated.. Thank you in advance and more power to this forums.

[peterb]

I think I'd have a look at the PSU. What make is it? Do you have a spare that you could try? PUSs can be hard to diagnose (other than by substitution) unless you have the appropriate equipment/knowledge.

[ironfalconx]

I think I'd have a look at the PSU. What make is it? Do you have a spare that you could try? PUSs can be hard to diagnose (other than by substitution) unless you have the appropriate equipment/knowledge.

Oh. Its a generic PSU. We have 3 identical units here in my place, all with the same boards.. the other two is still working perfectly fine as we speak, I already swapped the PSU's and the old one (from the faulty board in question) is still kicking up fine even on other units.

[GoNz0]

the board will just sit in a powered up state with no life minus the 4-8 pin cpu cable plugged in.

if you cant reset the bios and get it back the boards going the be the issue if you have tried it with cpu and 1 stick of ram.

last attempt shoul dbe bios battery out overnight, after that new mainboard.

[ironfalconx]

the board will just sit in a powered up state with no life minus the 4-8 pin cpu cable plugged in.

if you cant reset the bios and get it back the boards going the be the issue if you have tried it with cpu and 1 stick of ram.

last attempt shoul dbe bios battery out overnight, after that new mainboard.

Ok I will try that, thank you. Let's see what happens tomorrow.

Update:

No luck... I think I'm gonna try washing it then hot air..

[peterb]

You probably don't need to leave it overnight, 30 minutes sill be more than enough. However, the computer should be completely disconnected from the mains supply.

Alternatively you may find a jumper on the MB which (usually) links 2 out of three pins. Swapping jumper over will reset the CMOS memory (where the BIOS setup parameters and the system real time clock are located) The details will be in the mobo manual.

[ironfalconx]

PROBLEM SOLVED: (requesting closure to this thread)

SOLUTION:

The problem was indeed the HSF but I also had a faulty memory. I tried my friend's original HSF (since he asked me to fix his unit) and bam!, i got stable power. At first I thought I had a faulty HSF but when I tried hooking it to my friend's unit, it still works. I figured the memory problem by accident actually. When i hooked my friend's HSF to mine, i accidentally used his memory stick. It took me a few minutes to realize how i got the stable power and another thirty minutes to prove the facts by a series of troubleshooting procedures.

So there, I therefore conclude that a faulty memory stick combined with a generic HSF could cause the on/off problem. Proven and Solved. Thanks to everyone who lent their help and thanks to this forums for your invaluable contributions. More power Hexus!