Computer will not POST, video attached

[Greenfire]

Hey all,

I seem to have this problem whenever I disconnect the power cable from my desktop, but after adding on new HDD's or tinkering inside, I can't get the computer to POST. Usually what ends up happening is I sit by the damn thing for an hour a day, taking the power cable out, putting it back in, and powering it on until it works, but I was hoping someone might have a more enlightened approach on how to fix this.

The desktop survived some water damage (idiot at my party dropped a drink inside), and after thorough cleaning and drying, I got it back to operational status. The PSU was making weird sparky noises when I was tinkering with it, so I replaced that (figuring it would burn the house down at some point), but all the other parts are the same.

Once again, when I get the power cable "right", I can turn off the desktop and turn it back on without a problem.

Here's a video of it trying to start up, notice the two mechanical clicks at the end before the computer turns off. If I don't touch it, it will continually try to boot up.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/osco1lnn7pdi848/2013-03-27 18.14.57.mov?m

Thanks!
-green

 

[benjy206]

This this only happen after the new psu?

 

[Greenfire]

I had even more issues with the old one, in that most times the computer wouldn't even turn on. But getting a new PSU unfortunately didn't solve all of the problems

 

[benjy206]

I had even more issues with the old one, in that most times the computer wouldn't even turn on. But getting a new PSU unfortunately didn't solve all of the problems

Ok if the computer did not POST after the new psu. Make sure and check all the cables over again. Check the mother manual if possible. Give me the mother spec's I can give you a link to the manual.

 

[Greenfire]

Oh sorry I mean I got the new PSU over 8 months ago and the computer has worked since then. All of the cables should be good, as it was fully functioning less than 24 hours ago and all I did was add a few hard drives (which have both power and sata cables properly attached)

 

[benjy206]

Oh ok so. The hard drives should not cause post to stop running. Unless the Motherboard got a bit of ESD . Em did you try to remove the HDD that you installed and leave it back to the one that was working?

 

[Greenfire]

Just tried (unplugging both the power and sata cable) and same problem. This also happened when I moved the desktop to another room, so it literally happens when I unplug the machine

edit: for what it's worth, it now turns off at random parts of that cycle (sometimes doesn't get to the two mechanical clicks)

 

[derekimo]

Enhanced your video a bit, it's only 5 secs long though.

 

[benjy206]

Just tried (unplugging both the power and sata cable) and same problem. This also happened when I moved the desktop to another room, so it literally happens when I unplug the machine

edit: for what it's worth, it now turns off at random parts of that cycle (sometimes doesn't get to the two mechanical clicks)

To be honest it seems to be as if the MOBO is fried. Pluging in and out the power like that would not help. I can't really help much more as it seems to be a problem within the case. Since you can't even get POST to show it is a major problem . Maybe if you brought it to a repair shop. Or even if someone on this might join in a see. But to be it could a ESD problem. Becuase the system should at least POST

 

[Greenfire]

Thanks, derekimo.

benjy206, honestly I've sort of accepted that this is a screwed up rig, I was hoping that there would be something like resetting the CMOS battery that might help out. Otherwise I'll just continue chugging away at this, and hopefully not ruin my main hard drive from all of the booting

 

[benjy206]

Thanks, derekimo.

benjy206, honestly I've sort of accepted that this is a screwed up rig, I was hoping that there would be something like resetting the CMOS battery that might help out. Otherwise I'll just continue chugging away at this, and hopefully not ruin my main hard drive from all of the booting

If you give me your motherboard details i can tel you how to reset the BIOS. Taking out the Battery will not do, as this is mostly for th RTC (Real Time Clock)

 

[Greenfire]

Thanks, derekimo.

benjy206, honestly I've sort of accepted that this is a screwed up rig, I was hoping that there would be something like resetting the CMOS battery that might help out. Otherwise I'll just continue chugging away at this, and hopefully not ruin my main hard drive from all of the booting

If you give me your motherboard details i can tel you how to reset the BIOS. Taking out the Battery will not do, as this is mostly for th RTC (Real Time Clock)

Gotcha.

OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz
Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3-B3 LGA
Graphics Card EVGA GeForce GTX 570

 

[TVeblen]

What was the liquid that the goofball spilled inside the rig? (I'd love to see a video of that - what did it do, go sideways?)

And how did you clean it and or dry it out? How long did it run after the initial soaking?

EDIT: The reason I ask this is because some drinks (alcohol like wine or Rum or Whiskey, and soft drinks) contain a lot of sugar. Even if the board dries out the sugar will remain like a film and can continue to be conductive.

 

[benjy206]

Ok to reset the BIOS it's by the taking out the battery. Havent seen this in a while only on older pc's. Anyways take out the battery and leave it out for maybe 1min.

EDIT: Here is your motherboard manual http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3852#manual

 

[Greenfire]

What was the liquid that the goofball spilled inside the rig? (I'd love to see a video of that - what did it do, go sideways?)

And how did you clean it and or dry it out? How long did it run after the initial soaking?

EDIT: The reason I ask this is because some drinks (alcohol like wine or Rum or Whiskey, and soft drinks) contain a lot of sugar. Even if the board dries out the sugar will remain like a film and can continue to be conductive.

Sorry was eating dinner. It was the very best drink possible, red bull + vodka /sarcasm

The case still smells after 14 months

I cleaned all of the components with isopropyl alcohol, and l let them dry for 3-4 days in a rice bag

@benjy206 thanks! will try this

 

[Greenfire]

Situation seems to have evolved to it running for a solid 15 seconds before turning off
None of the peripherals get detected

edit: ok screw it, not worth your time. this will work eventually, as it always does. Thanks all.

 

[benjy206]

Situation seems to have evolved to it running for a solid 15 seconds before turning off
None of the peripherals get detected

Does anything show up?

 

[Greenfire]

Situation seems to have evolved to it running for a solid 15 seconds before turning off
None of the peripherals get detected

Does anything show up?

nope nothing on the screen, no power lights on the keyboard
there is no method to this madness
I'm going to let this demon child sit for another day and see what the new days brings.

Thanks a lot all

 

[benjy206]

Situation seems to have evolved to it running for a solid 15 seconds before turning off
None of the peripherals get detected

Does anything show up?

nope nothing on the screen, no power lights on the keyboard
there is no method to this madness
I'm going to let this demon child sit for another day and see what the new days brings.

Thanks a lot all

Post back and let us know. I still think that the motherboard could be bit messed up but maybe not. Best of luck

 

[TVeblen]

I would perform the basic no boot diagnostic test that most folks do on new builds that do not boot (see below).

This test should accomplish 2 things:

• If there is a defective/damaged component responsible this test will help you discover it.
• If there is still residual gunk from the drink this will give you the opportunity to inspect the parts (especially the contacts) to see. Just removing and reseating parts will often be enough to rub off any offending film or corrosion in many cases. But none of the parts or contacts should be sticky or slimy.

Be sure to use proper electrostatic precautions handling parts. And place the parts on a non-conductive surface.


The Test:

New System Failure Diagnostic

Basic diagnostic procedure is to uninstall the entire build and start over. Some people do this out of the case by placing the motherboard on an anti-static surface. This eliminates the possibility that there is a short circuit between the motherboard and the case through the connection posts (stand-offs). A standoff in the wrong location or a sloppy job will cause a short.

The Test (power off, power cord unplugged):

• Disconnect everything externally connected except the mouse and keyboard (printers, USB devices, etc). If you are not using a wired mouse and keyboard see if you can borrow one. The wireless device is just another component you have to deal with.
• Disconnect the power and data cables from all the drives inside the computer (Hard drives, DVD/CD drives, etc).
• Remove all the cards installed in the expansion slots (PCI/PCI-e) including the video card. (Be careful handling them and place them on a non conductive surface while testing).
• Remove all the RAM sticks (same rules as above).

Now connect the power cord and turn the PC on.

• The motherboard should start beeping. You should get a beep code that tells you there is no memory. This is good, it means the processor is functioning and the motherboard is good so far.
• Now add one stick of memory in Slot A1 and power on. More beeping: "no video card" beep code. This is good.
• Then add the video card and connect it to the monitor. You should get no beeping and you should see the BIOS start screens, ending with the message that there is no boot device.
• If you get no video then switch the one memory stick installed for another one and test.
• If you do get video then start adding components back, one at a time, until the system fails to boot. The last component you added is then the problem component.