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Hoboape

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Nov 15, 2010
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I got a new PC about 4/5 months ago and its been working perfectly fine until today.

Now when i turn it on the fans/lights come on for about a second then everything stops.
The only lights that stay on are the ones on the graphics card which makes my friend think it is a problem with the PSU as the graphics card has its own power supply. I was wondering if anyone has had a problem like this before and do I need a new PSU?

Specs
Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-P67A
Processor - Intel Corei5 2500K
Power Supply - Corsair 600w GS
Graphics Card - ASUS GTX560Ti
RAM - Corsair 4GB
Hard drive - Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
 

lacktheknack

Je suis joined jewels.
Jan 19, 2009
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The graphics card has its own...?! That doesn't even...!!?

Umm, I'd definitely go get a bigger power supply. 800W at least. I'm using a 1000W, I regret nothing.

(Tip: Your graphics card is almost certainly not using its own power supply. You still plugged it into you main one, didn't you?)

EDIT: Then again, when my power supply failed, the computer didn't do anything at all. You may have an issue with your CPU or motherboard. I'd recommend taking it into a local shop.
 

DeadlyYellow

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Jun 18, 2008
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Eh can't say much about the technical know-how, but replacing the PSU solved my problems when my computer refused to turn on.

God help me when the hard drive or processor fails.
 

Thaliur

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Jan 3, 2008
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Graphics cards have their own power supplies now? Man, I'm falling behind technologically :-(

Does your PC make any strange sounds? Like scraping or clicking (probably the hard disk), beeping (BIOS error codes, if these still exist), or, probably even worse, NO sound at all (or less than before)? The latter would indicate a fan failure and subsequent (though surprisingly quick) overheating.

Can you do anything at all with the machine? Like enter BIOS (or, more likely, EFI)?
I can't find anything about integrated graphics, but maybe you have an old graphics card lying around to check the power supply hypothesis?

Or you could remove the graphics card completely and try turning it on then. It should stop working and indicate an error (beeping patterns probably, or it shows an error code on the tiny display).

Speaking of the onboard display (the two-digit 7-segment panel), does it show any error code mentioned in the manual? My mainboard shows "FF" if basic booting is completed, anything else is probably an error.
 

Hoboape

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Nov 15, 2010
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lacktheknack said:
The graphics card has its own...?! That doesn't even...!!?

Umm, I'd definitely go get a bigger power supply. 800W at least. I'm using a 1000W, I regret nothing.

(Tip: Your graphics card is almost certainly not using its own power supply. You still plugged it into you main one, didn't you?)

EDIT: Then again, when my power supply failed, the computer didn't do anything at all. You may have an issue with your CPU or motherboard. I'd recommend taking it into a local shop.
I didnt build it the friend i talked to did and im just relying what he said. I would have had him look at it but he wont be able to until around chritmas
The PC has worked fine since I got it and has only started acting up today so I dont think its a problem of it not being able to handle it either.
 

lacktheknack

Je suis joined jewels.
Jan 19, 2009
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Hoboape said:
lacktheknack said:
The graphics card has its own...?! That doesn't even...!!?

Umm, I'd definitely go get a bigger power supply. 800W at least. I'm using a 1000W, I regret nothing.

(Tip: Your graphics card is almost certainly not using its own power supply. You still plugged it into you main one, didn't you?)

EDIT: Then again, when my power supply failed, the computer didn't do anything at all. You may have an issue with your CPU or motherboard. I'd recommend taking it into a local shop.
I didnt build it the friend i talked to did and im just relying what he said. I would have had him look at it but he wont be able to until around chritmas
The PC has worked fine since I got it and has only started acting up today so I dont think its a problem of it not being able to handle it either.
I'm assuming that it's a motherboard/CPU problem, because it starts up then crashes. I still recommend a local shop.
 

DazZ.

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2009
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Make sure your RAM is seated correctly and things like that before you resort to buying a new component.

I know it's basic but that's what would happen if ram (or something else that's vital) was slightly out, and a knock can unseat it.

Also I'm sure 600w would be enough for those components as long as they aren't overclocked, is the PSU a decent model which is something I find is (much) more important than high wattage from a PSU.
 

Hoboape

New member
Nov 15, 2010
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Thaliur said:
Graphics cards have their own power supplies now? Man, I'm falling behind technologically :-(

Does your PC make any strange sounds? Like scraping or clicking (probably the hard disk), beeping (BIOS error codes, if these still exist), or, probably even worse, NO sound at all (or less than before)? The latter would indicate a fan failure and subsequent (though surprisingly quick) overheating.

Can you do anything at all with the machine? Like enter BIOS (or, more likely, EFI)?
I can't find anything about integrated graphics, but maybe you have an old graphics card lying around to check the power supply hypothesis?

Or you could remove the graphics card completely and try turning it on then. It should stop working and indicate an error (beeping patterns probably, or it shows an error code on the tiny display).

Speaking of the onboard display (the two-digit 7-segment panel), does it show any error code mentioned in the manual? My mainboard shows "FF" if basic booting is completed, anything else is probably an error.
No sound at all but then again there is no sound usually (other than fans) when it first starts up.
I cant get into BIOS and unfortunately the only other graphics card in the house is the one in my parents old PC which cost about £30 and would probably explode if I put it in my machine.
Also im not the most tech savvy person so im afraid I dont know if I even have an on board display and if I do I cant see it.
 

Vivi22

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Aug 22, 2010
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lacktheknack said:
I'm assuming that it's a motherboard/CPU problem, because it starts up then crashes. I still recommend a local shop.
That'd be my guess as well. Trouble is it's a pain in the ass to confirm on your own if you don't have some spare parts or another computer you can take stuff from to test it unless you can get video output straight from the motherboard.

I looked your motherboard up on Newegg and while 3 different models came up none of them looked to have a built in video output on them, so unless you have a spare graphics card lying around somewhere, or a friend that will let you test theirs in your system to verify it's tough to narrow it down on your own. About the only thing you can do without motherboard video output and a spare computer to test parts in is pull the RAM sticks and try one of them at a time in each slot (assuming you have 2x2GB's here). If one of your RAM sticks died it might stop everything from starting up, though I'm not 100% sure about that. I can't recall ever having a bad stick of RAM myself.
 

Hoboape

New member
Nov 15, 2010
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DazZ. said:
Make sure your RAM is seated correctly and things like that before you resort to buying a new component.

I know it's basic but that's what would happen if ram (or something else that's vital) was slightly out, and a knock can unseat it.

Also I'm sure 600w would be enough for those components as long as they aren't overclocked, is the PSU a decent model which is something I find is (much) more important than high wattage from a PSU.
The only thing I have really done to it is check all the connectors from the PSU and switch the RAM to the free RAM slots I had (another of my friends ideas) and they all seem to be fine.

The PSU was recommended to my by the guy who built it and I trust him on this kind of stuff. Also as I said before it has worked fine for almost 5 months prior to this with no problems at all.
 

YawningAngel

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Dec 22, 2010
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Hoboape said:
I got a new PC about 4/5 months ago and its been working perfectly fine until today.

Now when i turn it on the fans/lights come on for about a second then everything stops.
The only lights that stay on are the ones on the graphics card which makes my friend think it is a problem with the PSU as the graphics card has its own power supply. I was wondering if anyone has had a problem like this before and do I need a new PSU?

Specs
Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-P67A
Processor - Intel Corei5 2500K
Power Supply - Corsair 600w GS
Graphics Card - ASUS GTX560Ti
RAM - Corsair 4GB
Hard drive - Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
Your power supply is absolutely fine, odds on there's something up with the way you've set your motherboard up
lacktheknack said:
The graphics card has its own...?! That doesn't even...!!?

Umm, I'd definitely go get a bigger power supply. 800W at least. I'm using a 1000W, I regret nothing.

(Tip: Your graphics card is almost certainly not using its own power supply. You still plugged it into you main one, didn't you?)

EDIT: Then again, when my power supply failed, the computer didn't do anything at all. You may have an issue with your CPU or motherboard. I'd recommend taking it into a local shop.
Please disregard this advice. 600W is plenty for the system described.
 

fix-the-spade

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Feb 25, 2008
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Hoboape said:
I was wondering if anyone has had a problem like this before and do I need a new PSU?
Those components all sound perfectly normal and should work fine together, assuming it isn't broken a 600W Corsair branded power supply should easily have enough juice to run that system.

<spoiler= Wall of text under here, all the things I can think of that may relate to your problem>I) Number one thing is to check all the plugs and connections are properly connected and that the inside of the case is clean and not full of crap.

II) When you switch it on does the board make any loud bleeps? If yes that indicates a power, memory (RAM) or temperature error and the stoppage is to protect hardware, it usually means that the power supply is broken or the RAM isn't installed properly.

III) Can you define 'nothing' in a little more detail please.

IV) That the lights and fans are coming on mean that you have power, your graphics card should be getting power from the same unit as the rest of the computer (if the 600W Corsair unit is the only one in the case then it has to be powering the GPU) so if it is spinning up that would also indicate you are getting power. Although that does not guarantee the PSU is delivering the correct amounts of power.

V) If you have a manual for the motherboard please get it now, you will need it.
If you have no manual you can download one from Gigabyte's website here: http://www.gigabyte.eu/ but you need the exact model.


The exact model is useful to know anyway, Gigabyte makes thirteen models of GA-P67A and they have different features, it will be on the manual and printed on the board itself.

You motherboard may have a POST readout on it, this looks like a little tiny digital clock readout.
If when you switch it on this starts displaying a number or letters before or after the cut out, see what they mean in the manual. With any luck that will tell you the exact nature of the failure without any fiddling.

VI) If there is no POST reading, on the board, it may appear on screen before the cut off, again watch for it, write it down and check against the manual.


VII) Last thing, if you can get to the EFI/Bios menu (check in the manual how to do this). Go from there to the hardware monitor, in theory the computer is forced to stay running as long as it has power in these menus, so you should be able to see how much power your Power supply is delivering to where, what temperatures parts are runnning at and various fan speeds. If any are outside of the accepted minimum/maximum for the board they will probably be highlighted, if so write them down and report back here or to the board's manual again.

Hope some of that is useful
 

fix-the-spade

New member
Feb 25, 2008
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Thaliur said:
I can't find anything about integrated graphics, but maybe you have an old graphics card lying around to check the power supply hypothesis?
P67 boards have no onboard graphics at all, without a seperate GPU on them they're unusable.

This makes finding out if it's a board or GPU error a pain in the ass...