Hello all,

In this land of constant power failures, I have encountered a problem which is puzzling to say the least.

A power fail last night just before bedtime so I just turned everything off (power still off) reached for my trusty torch (always at hand) and went to bed.

 

Before I start detailing my woes please let me give you my computer specs

1 PSU 1200watt

MB ASRock Z77 Extreme 4 (installed a week ago to replace a power fail blown ASUS Z68)

CPU core i7 2600k OC'd to 4.4 and stable since OC, for about 12 months.

RAM 32GB (4x8GB) 2666.

GPU Gigabyte Aoreos GTX 1080ti

4 x SSD drives

4 x HDD drives

OS is Windows 10

 

This morning, I tried to turn my computer on and got a debug error of 00. Googled that and found that pushing "reset" switch as I power up fixed it (temporarily)

Since then after 13,236 or maybe, 13,237 attempts I am still unable to boot up. The thing that puzzles me though, is that I am constantly getting different and completely random de bug errors. These range from and include,

00,  10, 20, 62, 69, 99, and  A2

Obviously, 00 goes nowhere and has to be reset straight away. The rest of these codes get to the actual numbers and then lock up the computer.

Finally, when I do get to and past A2 I have the ASRock logo on the screen w2ith the thinking ... thinking circle which after a fairly long time freezes as well.

Using my Diagnostic skills, I have removed, cleaned (with an eraser) the contact points, and reinserted the RAM Sticks. I have done the same with the GPU.

I have removed and reinserted every plug on the motherboard. 

I have tried loosening and tightening the screws for the CPU.

None of the above has achieved anything other than frustration.

I do not have a spare PSU for testing, but I am now wondering if the PSU could be suffering from low voltages or some other defect.  I note, also, that all my lights and fans come on at startup.

I have called for euthanasia drugs but my wife is steadfastly preventing any semblance of ingestion of tghose.

I need help

Regards

Tony

Not funy but your last sentence is! Proves you have a sense of humour. Best of luck with your issue but you might be on to something regarding the PSU. And if it turns out to be the problem, consider investing in a surge protector for the next PSU. All the best.

Jean-Jacques,

Thanks mate,

I have had 3 x UPS,  2 of which were taken out by power failures and or brownouts. Current one seems to be ok but it has not helped with this last powerfail.

Surge protectors are a waste of time, mainly because after a two year analysis I have rarely exceeded 210 volts in a system designed for 220-240 volts.

If this problem does prove to be a PSU I will replace it with a 100+ gold 650 watt PSU ... brand undecided at this time.

Regards

Tony

 

May help you narrow down to what the problem is

https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1039406/

is it possible to get a psu tester?

Luke.

I have been able to google and find that .... my problem, as I see it, is that most of these codes have cropped up today. All at random and apart from a constant stream of up to five code 00 s they are all random and rarely consecutive. ie no code 20 were consecutive. All of those codes together indicate that everything, other than the screws holding the word not allowed thing together, is defective.

Hard to believe that everything has failed, particularly when it boots up to different stages each time. 

PSU tester would have to be myself and I do not really fancy inserting wires into cables, hanging on to them and turning on the power switch LOL Apart from the "shocking" experience, I have yet to work out how to measure voltages accurately, using this method.

I do not really know the characteristics or symptoms of Power supplies when  they are failing and as I am not technically trained, (like my flying, I am self-taught and in both these cases my instructor is very very suspect.)

I have currently and am currently making enquiries about borrowing a PSU to see if that solves any problems, but to date, nothing eventuating on that front.

Regards

Tony

"Surge protectors are a waste of time, mainly because after a two year analysis I have rarely exceeded 210 volts in a system designed for 220-240 volts."

If memory serves, it takes special equipment to "see" a power surge as they happen quickly.  Hence the name transients.  You really might want to invest in a properly sized surge protector.

Best,

Jim

 

 

Tony,

Have you tried resetting your CMOS?  Should be a button to do that on your motherboard.

 

Dave,

Yes mate, As they say in the movies "been there ... done that"  

As I have said, there are many error codes coming up and completely at random.  I have been googling each error as it comes up and following the instruction./advice offered. However, each reboot comes up with a different error and quite often, the error I have just fixed, reappears at a later reboot.  I cannot find many references to PSU voltages to the Motherboard, but because of the range and randomness of the error codes, I am thinking that the power supply is my problem.  I do not, however, really want to throw about AUD150 at what, I  think, is the problem.  I do not have a problem with the purchase of a new power supply if that is indeed the problem, but I do not have the financial resources to throw that money away if it is NOT the problem.

To that end, I am still looking to borrow a PSU for testing.

In addition. please be aware that I am not a technician, and in reality, a technician would normally, probably be the best solution.  However, here in my Indonesian village, there aint no such animal as a trained technician and the guys who masquerade as such, simply fit a new part and if that does not fix the problem, they move on to the next new part but still charge you for the bit that does not fix anything. In my case, it would probably cost me more than an upgrade to replace parts that don't need replacing.  The only good thing is that the labor is really cheap but they more than make up for that, with the compulsory sale of the unnecessary parts.

This is the sole reason for all my frustration.

Regards

Tony

Tony

ugh man, wish I could throw you a PSU to test!

I expect you have may have done this:

Have you tried booting with 1 ram stick? Or with each single ram stick?

Also remove both graphics cards and use the onboard graphics. This would relieve a little stress from the psu.

pull all usb devices out. - same reason.

you could even disconnect the case fans from the motherboard if you wanted too, but leave the cpu cooler.

 

 

 

Luke,

Yes mate, I have done all of that except for your last suggestion.

I do, however, have a curious update.

About an hour ago, I tried to turn on again for the first time today. Everything came up and booted normally ...14 second boot up time. The only thing different was that I had turned off the computer last night at the wall socket (unplugged it) I thought WOW ...  so I turned off the computer normally and tried to reboot. Same old problem. Three attempts to boot all with different error codes. So I turned it off at the wall again and left it alone for 30 minutes and then tried again. 16 seconds later all OK and up and running.

Now offensive initials not allowed does that tell me???? I will continue with this procedure for a day or so and see if it remains consistent.  

But ... is this a PSU partial failure indication, or is it trying to tell me something else?

The really good news though, is that we have only had two power failures so far today.

Regards and any further thoughts are obviously welcome.

Tony

Wow Tony you really are up against it.

just 2 eh? 🙄😑 that would drive me nuts!

indeed very confusing results you are having. Nothing consistent.

The erratic results could well be a bad psu / capacitor.

the theory:

Being plugged into the wall, it is earthed, draining the capacitor in the psu. When you turn it on there is not enough residual voltage, so it is drained entirely to the point of failure.

not being plugged in there is no earth. Any remaining voltage is kept by the capacitor, which may be just enough to get past the boot stage before it fails again

Of course, take that as a brain storm of a non electrician 🤓

 

 

Tony, have you considered an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)? It wouldn't stop the power failures but it would shut down your system normally in slow time when the power goes off. Plus, it would smooth the power going to your system to prevent any instability.

Edited August 20, 20196 yr by vortex681

hi mate

I have to admit that it took quite a bit of adjustment to accept living here. There is quite a bit of culture shock involved lol.  Having said that, advantages outweigh the shortcomings and I do get to go back to Australia once a year.

Still testing and again, the same results with two different attempts (unplugged against plugged) Actually, I am quite happy if this continues because I can probably get the PSU fixed if it is just a capacitor fail. That would be a cheaper alternative than a new PSU.

Vortex, 

I am on my third UPS ... Power failures have taken out two in the last three years. I have been through even more surge protectors in the same period and have given up on those. UPS systems do not shut down your system normally during or after power failures. They simply keep power going to your computer which allows you to power off normally. I have my computer, monitor and modem hooked up to my UPS and that gives me about forty minutes grace in which to power off. 

Regards

Tony

 

Tony,

Please try this...remove power plug from PC and press the on button to discharge the M/B and capacitors. Then plug back in and restart. If it starts and runs OK, it's most likely the main board. Also make sure you have  a fresh battery on the  mainboard. Sounds like  the M/B or maybe power, but most likely the M/B. To make life easy, get another exact same board and swap out to allow system transparency.

14 hours ago, himmelhorse said:

UPS systems do not shut down your system normally during or after power failures.

You're using the wrong ones, then! For example, APC uses PowerChute: "provides safe system shutdown in the event of an extended power outage or computer power problem, preventing potential data corruption". CyberPower uses PowerPanel: "through the USB or serial connection, PowerPanel Personal Edition management software automatically saves computer files and safely shuts down the system during a power outage".