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Author Topic: Fans turn on, lights blink and then turn off/on repeatedly.  (Read 4014 times)

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aresous

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    • OS: Windows 7
    Fans turn on, lights blink and then turn off/on repeatedly.
    « on: April 22, 2014, 05:49:07 PM »
    I can't turn my computer on. The fans and lights turn on for a second and then turn off. a few seconds later they'll turn back on and then turn back off. I've had this computer for 4+ months now, i built it myself. it recently started doing this but i'd just turn off the PSU (Power Supply Unit) and turn it back on and it woould fix it. now it doesnt fix it anymore. i've re-slotted the RAM (Random Access Memory) and pushed it in firmly, but that hasn't done anything. i've tried different power outlets and pushed everything into the MOBO (Motherboard), i havent messed around with CPU (Processor) because that's just a pain in the a**... i was wondering if there was anything else i could do before having to take it into a local repair shop, lol.

    as for my computer specs

    CPU (Processor): Fx-6300 AMD
    GPU: R9-270x AMD
    RAM (Random Access Memory): 8GB Ballistix sport
    MOBO (Motherboard): ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0
    PSU (Power Supply Unit): Corsair X500 w 80+
    Case: Rosewill GALAXY

    thanks  ;D

    Geek-9pm


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    Re: Fans turn on, lights blink and then turn off/on repeatedly.
    « Reply #1 on: April 22, 2014, 10:04:54 PM »
    You can try a new  RAM stick.
    What you describe can be:
    • Anything overloads the PSU, or a failing PSU
    • Bad memory in the low region. BIOS  can't run without it.
    • Bad CPU, or heat sink not in place

    Disconnect the HDD and the DVD drive. (Power off, of course.)
    Power on. Does it  show the  BIOS?

    aresous

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      Re: Fans turn on, lights blink and then turn off/on repeatedly.
      « Reply #2 on: April 23, 2014, 06:43:36 AM »
      You can try a new  RAM stick.
      What you describe can be:
      • Anything overloads the PSU, or a failing PSU
      • Bad memory in the low region. BIOS  can't run without it.
      • Bad CPU, or heat sink not in place

      Disconnect the HDD and the DVD drive. (Power off, of course.)
      Power on. Does it  show the  BIOS?
      Okay, I unplugged the optical drive and this is the result;
      GPU lights turn on solid green. I press the power button and everything else turns on. (fans, LED lights)
      I plug in all my external hardware, (mouse,keyboard) and none of them power.
      And something that I don't quite understand, is how i have my monitor plugged into the powered GPU and the monitor gets no display.
      Another thing, I can turn on the computer with the power button, but cannot turn it off with the power button, i have to use the power supply to turn it off. Any ideas on what i should do next, or if there's an identifiable part that's struggling? I'm pretty sure it's the psu but idk if it could be the ram. thanks. :)

      Geek-9pm


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      Re: Fans turn on, lights blink and then turn off/on repeatedly.
      « Reply #3 on: April 23, 2014, 10:48:46 AM »
      That behavior can be either PSU or bad RAM.
      As I said earlier, there has to be some low memory for the BIOS do is power on test.
      That fact the fans come on and lights come on would show the PSU is doing something. Do you have a meter to test it?
      Borrow a RAM stick and try it.
      When just one stick goes very bad,  the CPU does not run.


      Kurtiskain



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      Re: Fans turn on, lights blink and then turn off/on repeatedly.
      « Reply #4 on: April 23, 2014, 04:44:04 PM »
      Normally when a stick of RAM goes bad though, the machine will stay on but with no post. If you have an on-board speaker you should also hear some beeps if the RAM test was failing.

      As Geek-9PM said, this behaviour is usually produced from either a failing Power Supply, try to borrow a known good PSU of the same wattage or greater.

      This can also be caused by an incorrectly seated add on card. I noticed you said you have a graphics card installed, try removing the card and booting with the on-board chip if it has one. Also remove any additional PCI cards (Wireless, Modem, etc)

      If your motherboard does not have on-board video, reseat the graphics card and try to boot again.