Windows 10: Lost Power, now PC won't boot. Powers on and clicks.

Wow.. I finally got a hold of the motherboard manufacturer this morning after waiting on hold for about 40 min. Anyways, my machine is working again!! I am posting from it now. I am posting what fixed it for those who might be following, as well as for the benefit of the next poor soul who finds themselves in my situation.

So, the tech had me pull one of the two memory sticks that were connected to the machine, and try to boot it. She did not care which one I removed. After I did that, strangely, the machine did post, however, when I reboot and tried to make it to the bios, it began with the exact same behavior. She had me power down and swap memory sticks, which I did, and this time I was able to make it into the bios.

From here, she had me check the memory settings which were set to Auto, and were currently running at 1300mhz. According to the specs on the side of the memory, my memory was set designed to run at 1600mhz, so rather than set it to auto, she had me select profile1 from the option, which apparently switched my speed automatically to 1600mhz. She then had me power down and boot a few times back to bios to confirm it was working, which it was. We then added back in the other memory stick (now at this point, the only thing that has changed is the speed of the memory in bios, and the physical location of the 2 memory sticks have basically swapped from where they started) and the machine makes it back up to bios just fine. We repeat this process 6 times or so, each time coming back up to bios, and then I plug all my drives back in, as well as my video card.

Now I try to boot the machine to windows. That first boot took a while longer, and it eventually rebooted itself, but then I hear the post beep *Biggrin and Walla, my machine comes up into windows!!

So, I don't know how well I can trust this resolution. Seems odd to me that changing the memory speeds to make it perform faster (1600mhz instead of 1300mhz) and swapping the sticks physical location resolved this problem, especially when it ran fine for 2 years as it was before, but hey, what do I know?? If anyone cares to comment feel free. I would love to feel more confidence in this machine. Conversely, if you think I should not feel confident and should do some additional testing, I want to know that too... I have basically got a year left on this motherboard warranty, so resolving any problem now if there is one is advantageous!

 

First of all,..glad you're back up and running.
Could it be that the memory stick/s wasn't seated properly from the beginning and by taking it out and reseating was all that was needed irrespective of the RAM profile change? But then again,..didn't you do that already anyway?,..taking out the sticks and reseating them one by one?

 

Yes.. I did pull and reseat the memory as a troubleshooting step. I did not swap their position though. I am currently running Windows memory diagnostic against the ram which is 97% complete without errors. Strangeness...

 

It completed without issue. I just reboot the machine 3x without issue. Seems like I am out of the rough water, though I am not 100% certain how I pulled it off.. Still, I will take it.

 

Well this issue was happening before you took out the RAM and put it back in again.
Usually if you want the system to be stable you run the RAM at its rated specs, you either enable an XMP profile or manually set the values in the BIOS. I don't know how this changed if this was the true cure.

Glad it is working and hopefully stays working.

 

Each software that tests RAM / DIMM / Motherboard uses a different algorithm.
The software that we use regularly in the BSOD forum is Memtest86+ version 5.01.

Run memtest86+ version 5.01 for at least 8 passes.
The more passes the better the test.

This may take many hours so plan to run it overnight.

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool


When Memtest86+ version 5.01 has completed 8 or more passes use a camera or smart phone camera to take a picture and post an image into the thread.

Memtest86+ version 5.01 is not run by time but by passes.
It sometimes takes passes into the 20's to find malfunctioning RAM.

Testing using Memtest86+ version 5.01 takes approximately 1 - 2 hours / GB RAM
Just 1 error is a fail and you can abort testing.
Then test 1 RAM module at a time in the same DIMM for 8 or more passes.


Memory problems. - Microsoft Community


MemTest86+ - Test RAM BSOD Tutorials

For each Memtest86+ test please use a camera or smart phone camera to take a picture and post an image into the thread.

 

It has completed a few passes in Memtest. 1 question. My RAM is set to run at 1600mhz, but according to memtest it is currently running at 800mhz. Is this normal?

 

It seems to be good. No errors. CPU temp holding around 50 degrees C. Not sure why my Memory is only running at 800mhz during the test though..

Update: I exited the test after 2 passes because I need to use the machine, and the problem returned. This time, I was able to power off, discharge all latent power in motherboard, and turn it on to get back into windows. Still, I think I will run the memtest throughout the night tonight to see what it does.

 

Yes it's the base clock of 800Mhz multiplied by 2 which is actual speed, CPU-Z does the same only reads the base clock ignoring the multiplier.

 

Now would be an extremely good time to link your digital licence to your MS account - means you can run the activation troubleshooter on a replacement motherboard (if it comes to that).

Link Microsoft Account to Windows 10 Digital License

 

After the Memtest86+ version 5.01 has completed 8 or more passes please use a camera or smart phone camera to take a picture and post the image into the thread. If the image does not post for any reason please post a share link using one drive or drop box.

Please run
CPU-Z | Softwares | CPUID
CPU-Z | Softwares | CPUID
open it and make screenshots of the following tabs
CPU
Mainboard
Memory
SPD*
Graphics


*SPD shows the details of each stick, you can show the details by choosing different slots in the left upper corner.
Please make screenshots of each stick.


Please post each screenshot in your next reply/replies.


Also download and install: HWiNFO64
HWiNFO - Download
Hardware Info (HWiNFO) is a powerful system information utility designed especially for detection of hardware.

Post a screenshot of the "System Summary" window here.
Take Screenshot in Windows 10 General Tips Tutorials