Sounds like its the PSU mate. I have a 900W Tagan modular PSU handy that should work if you want it, would give you the standard G3D Accient Guru Members Discount obviously That's if it does turn out to be the PSU that is. Hope you figure it out mate, its a bitch when things like this happens. Just take not of PillMonster, he knows what hes talking about (as I'm sure you know).
Seems PSU, 12V is always on and can't turn off when the mobo asks it to. Do you have a multi-meter? Some voltage measurements on a molex connector or PCI-E power connector with the system on / off might be helpful.
Thanks for the tips. So I tried a few things. Took the battery out, after which the pc posts, but with an error message "the data in the ec or ec chip might be corrupted" pc will shut down in 15 sec (which it never does) There was also a pop from the psu when I powered on before I got it to post that and a very slight burning smell. I tried to boot again after v that, nothing, but every time I take the battery out and then boot, the pc will post with the error message above. Btw, unplugged the power/reset connectors and pc will boot as soon as I turn on the psu, don't need to connect the headers with jumpers at all. Can't find the cmos reset headers btw, I must be blind.
Ok found the clear cmos headers, resetting the bios didn't help. Looks like I'll be buying a new psu. A 750w unit most likely. Can you suggest some? Budget up to £100. Would probably try modular this time. Or are they less stable than non modular? I just hope that pop didn't take something with it
Unlikely. Modular/non-modular; doesn't make much difference except for cable management really. are you buying from Scan? Not OCUK hopefully lol. Is yours not under warranty still?
Dunno if it's under warranty, it's just over 3 years old. I will must likely get one from Novatech tomorrow. Let's see what they have...
What about that ec error on post? What's that? Bad bios? Here's a link to a pic, hope it works. https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwVbj72PlduHR2k0N3lhOTBtazQ/edit?usp=drive_web Ok, just checked the corsair website, the tx range has 5 years warranty. Might actually do that. Does anyone have experience with their rma? What's the turnaround like? Don't want to be waiting for ages.
It actually sounds like the GPU to me, not anything else, especially if you caught the PC on but with the monitor in standby. Then again given your more recent posts it probably is the PSU.
I tried resetting the cmos and booting from onboard gpu and it was the same... onboard gpu should be on by default, correct? I could go to Novatech tomorrow, take the hd 7950 with me, have them test it. If it works fine, I'll buy a new psu, then rma the current psu with corsair and sell the one they send me on eBay I guess.
Eclap those Corsair PSU's have 5 year warranty. If you use skype to ring Corsair's toll free number +1 888-222-4346 you can arrange an advanced RMA. They will ship the PSU to you in advance and once you receive it you mail back the damaged PSU. They take a charge from your card as security. Delivery from Netherlands in a day.
Right, rma is not an option, don't have the receipt from the psu. Anyone knows anything about that error on post btw? Right, seems like that error is bios/motherboard related. That's just great. Bet I'll buy a psu and it won't fix anything.
I remember one similar case 5 or 6 years ago with some Asus Socket 754 (K8N...something) motherboard, one OK RAM stick and one faulty RAM stick. When that faulty RAM stick was inserted (or both of them, OK and faulty stick) into DIMM slot at POST motherboard was giving me an error that something is wrong with BIOS and right after that MB was starting BIOS recovery procedure asking me for BIOS file on 3.5" FDD. After removing faulty RAM stick everything was fine, no problem at all on POST or in real work or tests (Memtest86+, Prime95...). Try to insert only one by one RAM stick at the time and boot rig then...
Your bios chip is probably ruined then. Not sure how, unless the PSU did some damage when whatever cap/filtering stage blew up. Could be a dead motherboard even if you do get the chip changed out.
OK could be a dead board. Take it to a repair place and get them to test the PSU & motherboard. Check the board for any burnt patches around the vrms, PSU is surely dead too by what you described popping...could be caps? Hard to say without actually seeing it.
