Issue: CPU or Power supply? Or something else?

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  • frazzledrazzled
    PCHF Member
    • Dec 2021
    • 2

    #1

    Issue: CPU or Power supply? Or something else?

    Hi all. I’m new here and not very experienced with desktop computers or hardware. I’m more of a laptop & software gal. I’m mainly here looking for a probable diagnostic of what the problem may be, so I can budget accordingly for service repairs and possible component replacements. Any advice is appreciated.

    About the Computer - Purchased a certified refurbished computer a month ago from a reputable seller.
    model - HP EliteDesk 800 G2 TWR
    operating system - Windows 10 64-bit
    current graphics card - AMD Radeon RX 550/550 series
    processor - Intel Core i5-6500 CPU @ 3.20GHz (4 CPUS)
    ram - 16GB
    [SPOILER=“Issues”]
    • The computer was running fine except for one issue, until today. The one issue that kept occurring before all of this was, occasionally, when the power button was pressed, it would go on, but then immediately turn off before booting up. After a few tries, it would go on for good. This leads me to believe it’s a power supply issue.
    • Starting today, there was a loud noise coming from the desktop. I assumed it was the fan, but the sound was actually coming from the power supply. However, the sound did not go away, and now whenever I turn off the PC through the start menu, it goes through the shut down process, but the light never goes off, and the computer does not stop making noise. Interestingly enough, when you hit the already-lit power button to turn it back on, it turns on just fine, but before it goes through the start up process, it throws an error for the CPU fan, claiming it’s not being detected or malfunctioned. The fan however is still running! Very fast, but running! This wasn’t happening before, so I started to worry it’s also the fan…?
    • After a quick inspection, during idle use, right now the CPU temperature is averaging between 75-93 degrees Fahrenheit. The CPU usage tends to stay around 10%, but out of nowhere it will spike, and now running any kind of game application will cause it to immediately max out to 100%… Keep in mind, most of these games I never had a problem with before, and they are all older games from the early 2000s that could even run on a toaster.
    [/SPOILER]

    As of current, the computer has been opened up to ensure it’s clean and no dust. My husband has unplugged and re-plugged in any connectors/adapters.
  • veeg
    PCHF Director
    • Jul 2016
    • 8977

    #2
    Hello

    It sounds like the psu.. Please post the psu spec’s..

    @PeterOz

    Comment

    • Bruce
      PCHF Member
      • Oct 2017
      • 10697

      #3
      did it come with any warranty period?

      Comment

      • PeterOz
        PCHF Technical Response Team
        • Mar 2021
        • 4181

        #4
        If no warranty - It is time to become a tech. If Warranty take it back sooner than later.
        Not knowing where you are I will assume USA.
        Originally posted by frazzledrazzled
        I assumed it was the fan, but the sound was actually coming from the power supply
        This can be the fan and if it is cold where you are (that’s why I assume USA) the grease/graphite(lubricant) in the fan can become a little bit solid with the cold.
        This makes the fan noisy. Most times - not always the heat from the fan spinning should warm the lubricant up enough to stop the noise.
        Originally posted by frazzledrazzled
        it throws an error for the CPU fan
        This could be a problem with the cpu fan either it is a dud or it could be plugged into the wrong connector - Hard to say as some motherboards will not boot without cpu fan connected.

        Can you remove the power cord and press the on button a couple of times to drain the power.
        Remove the cpu fan power from the motherboard. Plug back in and turn on - FOR THE SHORTEST OF TIME. Until you hear the post beep
        or you see a flash on the monitor. Has the noise disappeared ?
        This is a very quick test to see if the cpu fan is causing the noise DO NOT LEAVE THE COMPUTER RUNNING.
        When you unplug the cpu fan look to see that on the motherboard is it plugged onto the pins labeled CPU.
        Also take note is the fan connector on the motherboard and the end on the fan the same e.g both 3 pin or both 4pin.
        Originally posted by frazzledrazzled
        The fan however is still running! Very fast, but running!
        Once again this could be a dud fan or it could be a fan connected to the wrong part on the board or a 3 pin fan on a 4 pin board connector and the sensor is not working as it should
        or the computer is running hot
        Originally posted by frazzledrazzled
        75-93 degrees Fahrenheit.
        What program are you using to get this reading? that is not very hot in my opinion.
        Can you go here and download speed fan and install Click On Me .
        Run speed fan then click on the Exotics tab > show the magic. post a screen capture. To do a screen capture in Windows 10 press the windows key and the print screen button together. It will put the image in Pictures>Screenshots

        Comment

        • PeterOz
          PCHF Technical Response Team
          • Mar 2021
          • 4181

          #5
          PS
          When working on the computer make sure to touch some metal to earth/discharge static.

          Comment

          • PeterOz
            PCHF Technical Response Team
            • Mar 2021
            • 4181

            #6
            This shows you where the CPU fan plugs in - see attached

            Comment

            • frazzledrazzled
              PCHF Member
              • Dec 2021
              • 2

              #7
              Here is a Google Drive link to the following… (Hopefully that’s okay…) https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...mm?usp=sharing
              1. Photos of the fan and where it’s connected, matching the motherboard PDF that you sent (it has been unplugged and replugged in)
              2. A video of the PC starting up… I had a little trouble following your wording, sorry, @PeterOz … I figured an actual demonstration of when the PC is making noises might be a little easier for me to explain.
                (As shown in the video, as soon as the PC is plugged in (even though it’s not ON) it’s making noise. When you press power, it stops making noise for a second, starts making sounds again, then stops again, before the beep. Then as the computer fully loads in, it makes noise.)
              3. I know you said not to leave it running but I had to in order to boot up SpeedFan for the pic, lol… Attached in the Google Drive is the screenshot you requested as well. In the pic, you can see the CPU usage is at 100%… Sure feels like it too… Computer was continuously freezing up, making it near impossible to get that screen capture.

              As for the warranty, well, it was ordered online. I’d hate to have to ship the whole computer back and get a refund. I’d rather try and diagnose the problem and then get it repaired, even if I have to spend the funds to do so. Yes, I’m within the US.

              Comment

              • PeterOz
                PCHF Technical Response Team
                • Mar 2021
                • 4181

                #8
                Originally posted by frazzledrazzled
                I had a little trouble following your wording, sorry
                Nothing to be sorry about. Please point out what you do not understand so I can also learn to post better.
                Will look at link.

                Comment

                • PeterOz
                  PCHF Technical Response Team
                  • Mar 2021
                  • 4181

                  #9
                  To be honest I would at least contact the people you bought it from and see what they offer first off.
                  Could not hear any sound.
                  It looks like you plug in the power and the fans start running. Can you enter the bios - start tapping F10 on startup.
                  Look in the bios to reset default settings. Save and exit.
                  let it boot then shut down. Turn off power and earth yourself by touching some metal On the inside back of the case is a case fan disconnect that and start the computer, has the noise gone.
                  If it is still noisy then we know it is the power supply as we have eliminated the other fans. Reconnect the case fan.

                  If it is the power supply that is causing the noise you could ask the people for a new one and replace it yourself (easy to do).
                  However the bigger problem is the cpu fan warning on startup. This can either be a faulty fan which can be replaced OR
                  it can be a faulty motherboard. If it is the Motherboard that is faluty then the CPU fan will always spin at top speed which is not what you want.

                  I know I am repeating myself. But I would return the box.
                  I will ask @Bruce for his opinion

                  Comment

                  • Bruce
                    PCHF Member
                    • Oct 2017
                    • 10697

                    #10
                    I’ll admit I’m biased on this one concerning the warranty.
                    I ran my own computer repair company for 16 years, and I got my parts for customers from a retailer.
                    if the customer said to me they had something not working, I replaced it, then went through the procedure for me to get the part replaced from my retailer.
                    in short, the customer was put out as little as possible.

                    any good supplier of refurbed PC’s should offer this, it is after all factored into the price.

                    and as Peter has said, they may deliver the new part to you.

                    for my two cents, I’d be swapping out the power supply for starters.
                    if you can’t borrow one from work, a neighbour, friend, family member, an old PC, than you are up for getting a new one.

                    before you do, I’d still be contacting the mob you got it from in case your repair attempts voids their warranty.

                    Comment

                    • Rustys
                      PCHF Member
                      • Jul 2016
                      • 7862

                      #11
                      Closed Abandoned

                      Comment

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