Can short cause permanent post/boot insatiability/corruption ?

[Dave_07]

As title. Basically looks like a new rig may have suffered a short when installing /un-installing some memory coolers on the ram sticks. And ever since then the system fails to get through a post / boot sequence 9 times out of 10. Been happening for a few days.

However when the system does eventually boot into windows after the umthteen time trying. It is as stable as a rock, no BSOD, no performance issues, no crashes, no issues at all. It's just when it's in the post sequence and / or the OS boot sequence then it fails over and over, untill eventually I can get it to boot through into the desktop.

So can a short case any permanent damage, that would only effect the post/ boot sequence ?

[peterb]

I'd look to see if you dislodged or failed to lock the memory modules in place properly first, then I'd look to see if I might have dislodged anything else, like SATA cables.

Do you know for certain that you shorted something out? Presumably the system was switched off when you did the install, and you removed the RAM to do it?

[Dave_07]

Well, I guess I can't say for dead certain that it was a short, but I assume thats what it probably was. The system was off when I installed them. These are the ones:



But I decided to then remove them a week or so later, as they seemed to be making a very high pitched whiring sound. But I couldn't tell for sure. So I turned off the system then just unplugged both coolers from the fan headers on the motherboard. Just to do quick sound test. But that was a mistake.

Because when I unplugged the cables, whilst I did make sure they were not touching anything, I didn't realize that because the cables had been in a awkward position whilst they had been plugged in, they had developed a kinda of elasticity for that position or something, so even after I had unplugged them and moved them out of the way. They must have snapped back into position slightly. So that one of the 3pin plug heads was touching the 3pin fan header on the motherboard.

So when I then turned on the system it powered up of a second, then shutdown, then powered back up again, started post, and proceeded to crash in post. At which point I shut it down to check inside the case. Which is when I saw the 3pin plug head touching the fan header on the motherboard. And proceeded to cream my pants.

Anyway, I then just unplugged the system from the wall, turned it on it's side, and took out both coolers completely.
And the system then, and ever since then really, has had issue's getting through post and or the OS boot up.
But the mannor in which it's faling post/boot is very odd, cause it's doing something different each time, it's not like it's just hitting a single post checkpoint each time and stopping there. It's doing lots of different weird stuff.

Although, weirdly enough, I started having issue's with my monitor recently too. I assume it's just cause it's getting old. Dunno if maybe that is contributing.

I'll go over the inside of the case, and check for anything dislodged. Thanks peter.

[Jonj1611]

Generally if the computer starts, shuts down and starts again, something has changed, ie bios setting or component removed etc.

What your describing wouldn't have done anything, one pin touching one other pin just wouldnt go anywhere in the setup your describing.

I would see if you have damaged or knocked anything else, maybe check the CPU fan is still plugged in for instance.

[Dave_07]

Ok, well I don't want to jinx myself, but the system seems to be ok now, knock on wood.

I did a tour of the inside of the case, and double checked everything, particularly stuff in and around the dimm area's. And I found two things. The first was one of the ram sticks made a tiny click sound when I pressed on the bottom far corner of it. Making me think that maybe it was unseated a tiny, tiny amount, I mean were talking by about less than half a millimeter here.

The second one was the cpu fan plug was off the header by about half a millimeter on one side aswell.

But the system seems to start fine now tho. So if it was either of those things or both, then thats a new one on me. I had no idea that such small distances could cause so much trouble.

Anyway, thanks for your advice guys, much apprenticed.

[peterb]

My (informed) guess is that it was the RAM stick was making an intermittent contact.

Anyway, fingers crossed that it is all sorted now.

[DanceswithUnix]

The second one was the cpu fan plug was off the header by about half a millimeter on one side aswell.

Both could cause problems, but some motherboards will shut down if they can't detect a CPU fan plugged in as a protection mechanism.