Help with no-POST

[ajax_84]

Hi everyone, I've a core i5-4690k with ASROck Z97 Pro4, paired with a Coolermaster V650 Gold. They are about 2 years old.

Initially the build has already given me many problems. When cold boot, it'll start for few seconds, switch off then power on again. After googling, it seemed normal. However after a few times , sometimes the computer just would not start at all. But I always managed to get it to start after power on and off a few times.

Then I realised that I can get the cold start problem to go away if I do not turn off the power at socket for the computer. If I do not turn off power at socket, when I power on the computer, it starts normally without the "start, off and start" problem

This went well for sometime. Then my computer started having no post again, and no matter how many times I start and off it, it wouldn't work. I removed graphics card, connect to onboard and voila, it worked. At that time I thought my graphics card was spoilt so I bought another one. Changed form R9 280X to 1050TI because it uses less power and is cooler.

Intermittently there would be problems with start up. But I solved it by removing CMOS battery and it'd work again.

Last month, the onboard ethernet adapter stopped working. I had managed to get it working at one point after failing, but after awhile, it stopped working again and no matter what, it wouldn't start. Device manager says it's unable to start the device. So I headed out to buy an add-on PCI express ethernet card.

All was well until the computer started giving problems of start up again. This time, it was for real. No matter what I did (take out rams, graphics card, add on cards, reset CMOS, update bios etc) it wouldn't start. I came to conclusion motherboard was finally spoilt and brought it down for exchange today, after delaying for so long.

There, the service guy took my CPU and placed it in the replacement motherboard , and couldn't get it to POST initially. Then he took out his own CPU and insert into the replacement motherboard, it worked and he changed the date in bios. Then he swapped in my CPU into the replacement motherboard and it POST. All was ok or at least I thought.

I brought it home and powered it up immediately. It worked. I then took out the heatsink to replace the thermal paste since it wasn't done at service centre. After that, the computer refused to POST again.

I'm at my wit's end. Is it my CPU or power supply?

 

[Koenig168]

You can try re-seating the RAM and GPU.

 

[Psycovirus]

Wow! You have persevered beyond belief!

I have had Z87 Pro 4 previously. Z97 Pro 4 is pretty similar.

I have had so much issue like you've described. From time to time, It will not post. I tried so many steps you have mentioned but continued using until this March when it finally died.

Still using ASRock board for my Ryzen and hasn't had issue. Maybe it was just those Pro 4 boards during Z87/Z97 period that were shitty.

 

[tmfwy]

Hi everyone, I've a core i5-4690k with ASROck Z97 Pro4, paired with a Coolermaster V650 Gold. They are about 2 years old.

Initially the build has already given me many problems. When cold boot, it'll start for few seconds, switch off then power on again. After googling, it seemed normal. However after a few times , sometimes the computer just would not start at all. But I always managed to get it to start after power on and off a few times.

Then I realised that I can get the cold start problem to go away if I do not turn off the power at socket for the computer. If I do not turn off power at socket, when I power on the computer, it starts normally without the "start, off and start" problem

This went well for sometime. Then my computer started having no post again, and no matter how many times I start and off it, it wouldn't work. I removed graphics card, connect to onboard and voila, it worked. At that time I thought my graphics card was spoilt so I bought another one. Changed form R9 280X to 1050TI because it uses less power and is cooler.

Intermittently there would be problems with start up. But I solved it by removing CMOS battery and it'd work again.

Last month, the onboard ethernet adapter stopped working. I had managed to get it working at one point after failing, but after awhile, it stopped working again and no matter what, it wouldn't start. Device manager says it's unable to start the device. So I headed out to buy an add-on PCI express ethernet card.

All was well until the computer started giving problems of start up again. This time, it was for real. No matter what I did (take out rams, graphics card, add on cards, reset CMOS, update bios etc) it wouldn't start. I came to conclusion motherboard was finally spoilt and brought it down for exchange today, after delaying for so long.

There, the service guy took my CPU and placed it in the replacement motherboard , and couldn't get it to POST initially. Then he took out his own CPU and insert into the replacement motherboard, it worked and he changed the date in bios. Then he swapped in my CPU into the replacement motherboard and it POST. All was ok or at least I thought.

I brought it home and powered it up immediately. It worked. I then took out the heatsink to replace the thermal paste since it wasn't done at service centre. After that, the computer refused to POST again.

I'm at my wit's end. Is it my CPU or power supply?

This is most likely a Motheboard issue

To rule out PSU
Take out Graphic card
Use Integrated Graphic on mobo
Reseat ram ( Maybe use just one stick )
Clear CMOS.

Power On. If still give the same problem, its time to rma the motherboard

 

[ajax_84]

You can try re-seating the RAM and GPU.

I've done that many times, throughout the whole period that it cannot POST.

Wow! You have persevered beyond belief!

I have had Z87 Pro 4 previously. Z97 Pro 4 is pretty similar.

I have had so much issue like you've described. From time to time, It will not post. I tried so many steps you have mentioned but continued using until this March when it finally died.

Still using ASRock board for my Ryzen and hasn't had issue. Maybe it was just those Pro 4 boards during Z87/Z97 period that were shitty.

Haha glad to know there's someone like me lol.

This is most likely a Motheboard issue

To rule out PSU
Take out Graphic card
Use Integrated Graphic on mobo
Reseat ram ( Maybe use just one stick )
Clear CMOS.

Power On. If still give the same problem, its time to rma the motherboard

Have done that many times. Already using onboard graphics without any add on cards, and 1 stick of ram only. CMOS clear until cannot clear. And my last few paragraphs stated I've already exchanged for another motherboard back. And when I started it initially, it worked. After I took out heatsink to replace thermal paste, it stopped POSTING already. Sigh

 

[tmfwy]

I've done that many times, throughout the whole period that it cannot POST.



Haha glad to know there's someone like me lol.



Have done that many times. Already using onboard graphics without any add on cards, and 1 stick of ram only. CMOS clear until cannot clear. And my last few paragraphs stated I've already exchanged for another motherboard back. And when I started it initially, it worked. After I took out heatsink to replace thermal paste, it stopped POSTING already. Sigh

If its an RMAed mobo
The only way to rule out CPU error is to use another CPU

 

[Koenig168]

I've done that many times, throughout the whole period that it cannot POST.

"Done that" on previous MB NOT= done that on replacement MB

 

[ajax_84]

"Done that" on previous MB NOT= done that on replacement MB

Sorry maybe I wasn't clear enough, but i didn't even have a graphics card installed, and I tried w just one stick of ram on all slots to no avail. This is always the first few steps I'd take, not only in the past, but also now

 

[ajax_84]

Sigh. Need more advice:

1. I had RMAed my motherboard some weeks ago. At service centre, when the tech inserted my CPU into the replacement board, no POST. He then inserted another CPU of his into replacement board, it worked. Then he swapped in my CPU and it worked again. Happily I went home.

2. Back home, I could get it to start. Then, I reapplied thermal paste after wiping off the old paste w isopropyl alcohol. It stopped POSTing no matter what.

3. Convinced it's my CPU, I RMA with intel and got a new one back. I inserted in and no go. Still no POST.

4. I bought Superflower Leadex Silver 650W, thinking it has to be PSU since every option is exhausted. Still no go..

Things I have done:
Reset CMOS using jumper and battery
Breadboard and trying to post w bare essentials (CPU, heatsink fan, 1 stick ram, onboard graphics, and only connecting motherboard and CPU power pins)

Symptoms: when it does post when I started to have problems, it'd go into windows and work flawlessly.

But when no POST, it's just that. Nothing on screen at all. Fans will turn on, everything seem to be on, but just nothing on screen. Changing hdmi to DVI cables doesn't solve anything.

So I've changed CPU , motherboard, PSU, switched RAMS around and only connected bare essentials. Still no POST. What could be the issue? Sigh.

I'm a bit convinced it's the motherboard seeing there are many issues w ASRock Z97 online.

 

[Psycovirus]

Sigh. Need more advice:

1. I had RMAed my motherboard some weeks ago. At service centre, when the tech inserted my CPU into the replacement board, no POST. He then inserted another CPU of his into replacement board, it worked. Then he swapped in my CPU and it worked again. Happily I went home.

2. Back home, I could get it to start. Then, I reapplied thermal paste after wiping off the old paste w isopropyl alcohol. It stopped POSTing no matter what.

3. Convinced it's my CPU, I RMA with intel and got a new one back. I inserted in and no go. Still no POST.

4. I bought Superflower Leadex Silver 650W, thinking it has to be PSU since every option is exhausted. Still no go..

Things I have done:
Reset CMOS using jumper and battery
Breadboard and trying to post w bare essentials (CPU, heatsink fan, 1 stick ram, onboard graphics, and only connecting motherboard and CPU power pins)

Symptoms: when it does post when I started to have problems, it'd go into windows and work flawlessly.

But when no POST, it's just that. Nothing on screen at all. Fans will turn on, everything seem to be on, but just nothing on screen. Changing hdmi to DVI cables doesn't solve anything.

So I've changed CPU , motherboard, PSU, switched RAMS around and only connected bare essentials. Still no POST. What could be the issue? Sigh.

I'm a bit convinced it's the motherboard seeing there are many issues w ASRock Z97 online.

It is definitely the Motherboard.

You have changed/tested everything except the motherboard...

 

[ajax_84]

It is definitely the Motherboard.

You have changed/tested everything except the motherboard...

No no, I also changed the motherboard already during RMA.

 

[Psycovirus]

No no, I also changed the motherboard already during RMA.

Sorry, I meant, it is still that ASRock Z97 Pro 4 even though its a new one. Seems like some kind of compatibility issue between that motherboard and other parts... If you manage to try out a different brand Z97 board, that might help to troubleshoot further...

 

[LLCSG12]

likely u overtightened the cpu cooler screws and thereby damaging threads on the mobo.. those fine thresds running from cpu to memory

 

[ajax_84]

likely u overtightened the cpu cooler screws and thereby damaging threads on the mobo.. those fine thresds running from cpu to memory

I must say that you probably have gotten the right solution!

After seeing your post, it started to dawn on me, yeah that could be it! The Hyper 212 required a backplate and various screws (but I don't overtighten anyway), and that the screws got 'sticky' due to some plasticky thing below the threads, presumably to prevent static.

So that day, after I saw your post, I went to RMA another mobo back (the 2nd one since the first RMA-ed board also died). At the same time, I bought a Deepcool GAMMAXX 400 since it utilises the Intel default push pin without any backplate.

Voila, my PC posted breadboard at home. After putting everything into the case, it also worked. I refrained from posting few weeks back because I wanted to be sure that I've found the 'solution', and not a one-off situation where my setup can POST.

So after several weeks, it's been working flawlessly without any POST issues.

I went to do another search retroactively to see if users who were facing POST issues on the same board as me had the same cooler. Turns out, several of them really did use the Hyper 212.

Either the Hyper 212 screws were too big that it touched the threads on mobo, or the design causes the board to be squeezed too tightly (for lack of a better description), or the motherboard's design cannot even take a bit of tightening or have the threads too near the standoffs such that they are affected (since I know Hyper 212 has a prolific use around the world).

Either way, I'm happy it's fixed Really didn't occur to me the cooler can be the cause of nightmares since my pc was built 2 years ago.