[SOLVED] Woke up to a dead computer :0(

[usasma]

I left my system running last night to get Windows Updates on my new Win8 installation.

I got up this morning to find the system still running - but no video signal
Rebooted and the system stuck again w/no video
Rebooted again and got the Asus BIOS splash screen.

I'm able to get to the POST screen and the system appears to have halted around/after the memory check.
I seem to recall the memory check having an "OK" when it's done - and that doesn't show up now (but I can't be sure)

The system halts there, but still accepts input from the keyboard (I can get to the drive selection menu, the BIOS setup, and even the Asus EZ Flash) - but it just acknowledges the input and then stays at the same screen!

Any ideas/suggestions? I haven't looked inside the case since I installed the new hard drive (6 months to a year ago) - so that's on my list of things to do when the wife wakes up (my system is right outside our bedroom door). If it's not obviously a cat hair problem, then I'll try swapping the RAM sticks one-by-one to see what happens.

TIA!

 

[Tekno Venus]

Do you have Quick Boot enabled in the BIOS? If so, disable it which will make it run more POST tests.

Do have the ASUS logo set to display? If so, disable it so you can see the POST information fully. To disable fully in the BIOS, navigate to Boot -> Boot Settings Configuration -> Full Screen Logo or disable it temporarily by pressing Tab when the logo appears. I'm suggesting this so you can see the full POST information. Not sure if you know this or not! :)

Can you boot from CD's, USB sticks or other media? Any POST beeps/error codes appearing?

Stephen

 

[usasma]

When I saw the Asus logo screen I was able to tap "Tab" to get the actual POST screen to show.
My problem was that I couldn't get into the BIOS - keystrokes for it were recognized on screen, but weren't acted upon!

Anyhow, thanks Stephen! Here's what I did once the wife woke up:
The first thing I did was pull the CMOS battery
Then watched an episode of Married With Children
Then reinserted the CMOS battery and the system started right up.
Spent another 15 minutes resetting the BIOS (and figuring out which of the 5 hard drives were the boot drive)
Now I'm back up and running

Still gotta finish the Win8 setup!

 

[Tekno Venus]

Not a problem! :)

That's odd, but at least it's working now and it wasn't to complex to fix!

Stephen

 

[Wrench97]

Sounds like it may have hung on a update reboot over night, can't hurt to give it a good dusting, re-seat the the ram sticks, any add in cards and of course the power and data cables. :thumbsup2:

 

[Laxer]

Sounds like it may have hung on a update reboot over night, can't hurt to give it a good dusting, re-seat the the ram sticks, any add in cards and of course the power and data cables. :thumbsup2:

Sometimes everything needs some TLC. My mother's computer this morning shutdown do to the CPU overheating...

Even after letting it cool it idled around 65c!

Cleaning and repasting problem solved... Weird we both ran into problems

 

[Digerati]

Unless new, I would probably replace the battery next chance I got anyway. While this could just be a fluke, the fact the problem occurred overnight (when the computer is off for hours), might indicate a weak or failing battery. If not a bad battery, you are only out a couple bucks. Just make sure you unplug from the wall and touch bare metal of the case interior before reaching in and pulling and replacing the battery. It is typically a CR2032 wafer battery, available at most any watch/camera/battery counter. Take the old battery with you as most counters recycle.

Also, in spite of long time rumors to the contrary, you only need remove the battery for 10 or 15 seconds (or move CMOS reset jumper for 1 or 2 seconds). The CMOS circuit is intentionally designed to be reset easily and that is exactly why engineers selected CMOS memory modules instead of less volatile memory types, like EEPROMs. Of course, there's no harm waiting longer and 15 seconds does not give you time to watch Married with Children.

I haven't looked inside the case since I installed the new hard drive (6 months to a year ago)

I generally recommend monthly inspections, cleaning when necessary. 6 months of case fans sucking dust and cat hair (the worst due to sticky oils) into the case is a long time before cleaning. This, of course, varies with every computer based on hours per day running, number of fans, nearby foot traffic stirring up dust, kids and animals, cookie crumbs, etc., so inspection intervals can be adjusted once cleaning intervals are determined.

Oh - and because cleaning is a PITA, all my builds use cases with removable, washable air filters.

Even after letting it cool it idled around 65c!
Cleaning and repasting problem solved...

Yeah, I get nervous when CPU temps touch, and stay above 60°C. Note if not covered by a layer of heat trapping dust, and if the CPU fan is spinning properly, then high CPU temps indicate inadequate case cooling (assuming no overclocking) and perhaps additional or upgraded (larger) fans are needed.

By "repasting", do you mean you re-applied a new layer of TIM (thermal interface material)? Note TIM does not get old, go bad or wear out on its own and easily will last, and remain effective for 10 years or more as long as the cured bond between the heatsink and CPU die is not broken. It may get and look a little crusty around the exposed edges, but between the mating surfaces, all is good. I mention this because the potential of ESD damage and incorrect mounting is much greater whenever you remove the heatsink.

 

[Laxer]

Yes I re-installed/applied the TIM. It was on an old OEM gateway that is a few years old...

As for ESD, I always wear a wristband when toying around inside of things...

On the other note, you're right I probably could have gone without reapplying the TIM... The whole interior of the case was literally covered in dust... If I was going to take the time to take the mini/micro case apart I figured I might as well clean it right...

It sits just under 30 c now which isn't too bad with the ~26 c ambient...

Thank you though for the advice, always helpful to hear from others. :wave:

 

[writhziden]

By "repasting", do you mean you re-applied a new layer of TIM (thermal interface material)? Note TIM does not get old, go bad or wear out on its own and easily will last, and remain effective for 10 years or more as long as the cured bond between the heatsink and CPU die is not broken. It may get and look a little crusty around the exposed edges, but between the mating surfaces, all is good. I mention this because the potential of ESD damage and incorrect mounting is much greater whenever you remove the heatsink.

Interesting you mention this. A few weeks ago, I took my HP desktop system apart, re-applied the thermal compound for the CPU and GPU, and saw temperatures go down 20 C. The thermal compound HP applied was nearly four years old and dry even between the heatsink and processors. Desktop had been running hot for about a year and a half that I know of; for all I know, it may have been longer since I first learned to check temps when I started working on forums last November, 2011.

Also, I have some ESD training from NASA, so no danger there. ;-}

 

[Digerati]

dry even between the heatsink and processors.

That was the problem. With tower cases and the motherboard in a vertical position, the heavy heatsink fan assembly "hangs" on the motherboard. The heatsink mounting mechanism exerts a LOT of force to keep the HSF immobile, but a heavier-than-normal "bounce" during transport can shake things up. Even users twisting the HS to see if it is still tight can break the bond.

That is why I emphasized, "as long as" the cured bond between the heatsink and CPU die is not broken.

Note: If you use a big aftermarket cooler - remove it during transport. I have seen more than one motherboard CPU socket broken because of a big Zalman cooler getting bounced too hard.

It sits just under 30 c now which isn't too bad

Are you kidding? 30°C is great!

Also, I have some ESD training from NASA, so no danger there. ;-}

That's great too. I've had quite a bit of formal training on ESD when I was in the military, and have taught ESD control in the past too. The problem with ESD is ESD sensitive devices like memory modules, CPUs and other ICs can easily be destroyed by a static discharge so tiny we (humans) are totally unaware a zap occurred. A static discharge from our finger tips of just a few 100 volts is enough to zap some of these devices but the "threshold of human awareness" for static discharges is ~3500V! We cannot see, feel, or hear the zap but it might as well be a lightning strike when talking about transistors a couple atoms wide.

I always wear a wristband when toying around inside of things...

That a great habit to get into - as long as you ensure it is still serviceable and the other is properly connected (grounded) to the case's metal chassis. Note those bands do not last forever. Skin oils, dead skin, sweat, dirt and other grime, as well as normal wear and tear, WILL eventually interfere with its effectiveness. I actually like the cheap disposable bands for that reason - I don't mind throwing them out.