shutdown to BIOS due to power surge

[Allan O'D]

Good evening learned forum advisors,

Unfortunately my new system has started to shut to BIOS with the power surge detected from faulty power supply


I've tested disabling the anti surge protection from BIOS but that hasn't worked. The power supply is a corsair 650 and provides plenty of power. I suppose it might have developed a fault but it is only 6 weeks from delivery so I'm skeptical the psu is to blame. The mobo is the Asus z97m plus model, if anyone can advise I'd be eternally obliged as I'm really enjoying archeage and desperate to get back to it. I would far prefer to find a solution rather than box everything up again for the courier..

Many thanks.

 

[mantadog]

Normally disabling the anti surge sorts the problem if its giving false readings. I'm not sure if turning it off turns it off 100% or if it remains active in the background and checks for bad stuff happening. But are you 100% sure it is turned off?

If it is turned off and you are still getting the issue then it may be the PSU is faulty, PCS would send you a new one to replace yourself (if you are able and willing try it). First port of call would be with the call centre, they can help diagnose it further and set up a RMA if needed.

 

[SpyderTracks]

I'd second what Mantadog says, double check asus anti surge is disabled, it's notorious for being over sensitive and asus suggestion themselves is to disable it. If it's not booting and you're still seeing that message, then it's not switched off correctly, unless there's an issue in the version of bios your on.

 

[Allan O'D]

Hi guys,

It's definitely disabled in the BIOS, but that hasn't fixed the problem, as all that happens now is 30 seconds into guild wars 2 or archeage the system freezes for a second, then cuts out completel and reboots to start windows normally screen bypassing the BIOS screen. So either it's still active in the back ground and playing up, or I've been really unlucky with a faulty psu. Computer idle and non stressful tasks like surfing is fine so I'm thinking whenever the card wants more power the psu is stumbling. Seems strange to happen so suddenly and when so new, I haven't even stored the box so at least it's handy. I am nowhere near competent to replace a psu, lacking the tools and knowledge or else I would keep it here and save time.

 

[SpyderTracks]

If you're willing to, there are a couple of other tests you could try... Firstly may be worth installing hwmonitor and checking temps when you start a game up and secondly could try reseating the gfx card if you feel up to it.

If you're not comfortable fiddling, I'd arrange an rma with pcs over the phone.

 

[mantadog]

If you're willing to, there are a couple of other tests you could try... Firstly may be worth installing hwmonitor and checking temps when you start a game up and secondly could try reseating the gfx card if you feel up to it.

If you're not comfortable fiddling, I'd arrange an rma with pcs over the phone.

You can certainly try both of those things, but in my experience this sounds like a PSU issue. Give the guys at PCS a call (number in my sig) and they might be able to confirm it.

 

[Allan O'D]

morning Fellas,

I would need a step by step guide as I am not at all familiar with hardware, so I'm going to phone PCS today and see what they say. Fully expecting this to have to be sent back for replacement/testing done on the PSU.
thanks for your time, much obliged.

Allan

 

[Allan O'D]

Hi all,

Matthew of PCS quickly identified the PSU as the problem and is sending out a replacement unit today to arrive tomorrow. So I'll roll the old sleeves up, take a few photos of how the wires are set up now and take the 'old' one out tonight.
hopefully all will be resolved tomorrow.

many thanks.

Allan

 

[mantadog]

The hardest thing about fitting a new PSU is the cable management.

Other than that (as long as you don't forget to plug something in altogether) its impossible to plug the wrong connector into the wrong socket. Take a few photos and take not of where the wires are hidden away and it should be fairly straight forward.

 

[Allan O'D]

that's the plan Manta,

I'll give it my best shot, my case is not super tight I don't think so I'll just take my time before starting, and adopt the old adage 'Fortune favors the brave'.

Allan

 

[mantadog]

It is a simple procedure really, pretty much everything inside a computer is these days. If you run into any issues just pop back in and we can point you towards the solution.

 

[Allan O'D]

Good evening guys,

Well after a few hours I managed to replace the psu, fired it up and didn't get 30 seconds into guild wars 2 before the screen flickered and the machine cut out. So absolutely no change, I suppose I can only have the thing sent back to PCS. I am beginning to suspect the gpu, as some black squiggly lines appeared just before the machine cut off, and it's only when I start gaming does the crash to bios happen.. In any case I'm a bit frustrated with the situation. Any ideas on what I could do to pinpoint the issue?

 

[mantadog]

Well that is a pain...

That opens up the way to 2 (possibly 3) potential issues.

1. GPU has a fault causing it to draw too much power and freak out the motherboard
2. The CPU has a fault that freaks the motherboard out when it draws too much power.
3.The motherboard has a fault that is triggered whenever the GPU or CPU draws high power.

Simple way to rule out the GPU and or CPU faults is to run stress tests on them both. Grab a copy of prime 95 and run it to test the CPU, grab a copy of https://unigine.com/products/valley/ to stress the GPU.

if it triggers with the GPU benchmark then the problem is narrowed down to the GPU/motherboard. PCS will likely offer to send you out a replacement GPU which is much easier to fit than a new PSU. If that fails then the last thing left is the motherboard, which is a back to PCS job unless you are experienced.

 

[Allan O'D]

Hi Manta,

I Talked this afternoon to pc specialist who more or less said the same thing. The advisor has asked me to reset to default in bios. Then pull out the gpu and try a video using the on board graphics. I'll try the stress tests you suggest though mainly Because I'm not sure how running the machine without the gpu will prove there's a problem with it.

This is starting to grind on my nerves for a few reasons but mainly because my own personal knowledge and ability handling components is so limited. I really just want this fixed but at the same time hope that I am not doing any damage to the system down the line. In any case I'll do the tests before opening the case again and see how that goes.
Thanks for the continued words of advice. It is appreciated.

 

[mantadog]

it is unlikely you are doing any permanent damage other than to the component that is failing, I realise it can be frustrating if you don't have an intimate knowledge but given some time and advice from here and the call centre it should be easy enough to sort out eventually.

 

[Allan O'D]

Good evening gents,

Just thought I'd update on the situation, I ran tests above successfully and so phoned PCS Saturday afternoon to
Try and move the issue forward. The friendly chap on the phone directed me and downloaded the latest gpu driver and cleanly installed it, ensuring no previous driver software was still present causing problems. It made no difference.
So when I asked for the next step in the process I was advised to create an RMA which I did, and emailed this to pcs expecting a return email on Monday advising when a courier would collect.
Surprisingly PCS denied the RMA on Monday telling me I'd should run a fresh OS install which should clear up the issue.

I had just done that, grabbed the last stable gpu driver, left the machine for 10 mins for a bite to eat and came back to a machine which had crash or shut down. On powering back up this is the screen that awaited.

Surely definitive action must be taken now.

Allan

 

[mantadog]

I'm honestly disappointed they said a clean installation of the OS would fix this. Nothing here points to an OS problem and I do mean nothing.

it looks like the GPU is the problem here, if you can I'd suggest calling PCS again and pointing them to this thread displaying the picture and they should know its the GPU right away.

Honestly surprised by this, they should have RMA'd that machine or offered you a replacement GPU...

keep us updated.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Looks like a faulty graphics card... Point pcs to this thread, I'm sure they'll sort an rma.

 

[Allan O'D]

Afternoon Gents,

System was returned at the end of last week to PCS and was worked on yesterday and today.

Following was discovered from PC Specialist:

'GPU was having severe issues with outputting to any display, this was checked in both PCI-E slots just in case it was an issue with the board, both ports gave the same issue with the onboard displaying fine.

replaced the GPU which has allowed the system to display perfectly.

started the burn-in test but within 2 minutes the CPU was at 100 degrees. The CPU cooler I had previously mentioned as being bent had moved the copper lining on the base of the CPU allowing small air gaps, small enough to make it get too hot.

I then replaced the CPU cooler and retested with a max of 70 degrees with a high average of 65 on load, down to 40 degrees on normal load.

It passed all tests and seems to be behaving very well. '


And just received notice the system has been dispatched today.
All in all a frustrating experience to start off with but rescued by a prompt repair and dispatch service from PCS.

thanks to all for the guidance and words of encouragement.

Allan

 

[mantadog]

Hope it arrives back with you soon in full working order!