PC takes anywhere from a few minutes to eternity during POST.

[martin1912]

Have a PC that will spend anywhere from a few minutes to hours posting, before it boots. The CPU and DRAM leds are blinking during this, going CPU, then DRAM, again and again. If I disconnect it from power, it won’t work at all. Won’t even shut off with the power button. When I hold it, the CPU light will just turn solid when it is supposed to shut off, and when I let go, it goes back to blinking. Clearing CMOS and flashing the BIOS has fixed this before and gotten it running again, albeit with minutes of POSTing. Since the PC does turn on, does this mean I can assume the RAM and CPU work? Can confirm it’s not the GPU since I’ve tried it on another system. Have also used the PSU on another system. Am I safe to assume it’s the motherboard at fault, or could it still be the CPU or RAM? I really going crazy with all this…

[PeterOz]

So other can assist let get a speccy report.

Do not forget to post the make and model of the PSU if this is a desktop.

Download then run Speccy (free) and post the resultant url for us, details here, this will provide us with information about your computer hardware + any software that you have installed that may explain the present issue/s.

To publish a Speccy profile to the Web:

In Speccy, click File, and then click Publish Snapshot.

In the Publish Snapshot dialog box, click Yes to enable Speccy to proceed.

Speccy publishes the profile and displays a second Publish Snapshot. You can open the URL in your default browser, copy it to the clipboard, or close the dialog box.

[PeterOz]

The first thing that I notice is your ram does not fit the cpu. Click on me
Also, if you are overclocking the ram in bios it will give more problems.

[martin1912]

The first thing that I notice is your ram does not fit the cpu. Click on me
Also, if you are overclocking the ram in bios it will give more problems.

The ram is running at 3600 atm. I’m not entirely sure what I’m supposed to look at there, but I assume it’s the connectivity part. Does 2 memory channels mean I should only use 2 sticks? I’ve tried that though.

And what does this mean?:

2x1R
DDR5-5200
2x2R
DDR5-5200
4x1R
DDR5-3600
4x2R
DDR5-3600

Is it that it will only run at 3600 if I use 4 sticks?

And I can’t get a speccy, considering the PC doesn’t run. Which I might have actually forgotten to mention, but I couldn’t get it to run last I turned of the power from the outlet. That is my bad.

I’m currently using all my old hardware. Anyways, it’s really late so I need to go to sleep. I’ll be back in the morning.

And thanks a lot for replying.

[PeterOz]

I would remove the motherboard from the case.
Remove the cpu fan. Instructions From here
Renew the thermal paste and reattach the fan.
Remove the GPU
Press the button onboard to clear cmos.
Use a soft brush or a can of air and clean the ram slots.
Put 1 stick only of ram into Slot A2
Leave the MB outside the case.
Place the MB on a piece of cardboard and connect all power KB & mouse and OS drive only -no gpu or add ons.
Will it boot.
If no
Power off and swap ram stick in slot A2 with another stick of ram.
If still not booting repeat with all 4 sticks of ram.
If still not booting repeat with only one stick of ram in slot B2.
If not booting repeat as above.

Have also used the PSU on another system

If still a problem can you try the power supply from the other system.

[martin1912]

I’ve tried all that, except using an air can I guess. Cant find one where I live, but I suppose I might order one online. And the old PSU is broken I’m afraid. That’s why I got a new one.

[PeterOz]

I’ve tried all that

and no post or no power
What about the ps from the computer you are using now.
Or are you on a phone

[martin1912]

No no, there is power. The new psu works, I’m using it with the old PC. Fans are going, lights are on. If I understand POST correctly, it does post, it just doesn’t finish and never boots. I’m really sorry if I’m being unclear. Was very tired and impatient when I wrote the original post.

[PeterOz]

If you have done all then either mb or cpu.
Let’s ask some others. I will tag @Bruce @Pyro
any ideas

[martin1912]

Sounds good. Thanks for the help again. I’ll check back in the morning.

[phillpower2]

The ram is running at 3600 atm.

How do you know this if the computer will not boot into Windows and or allow you to run Speccy so that the speed can be checked.

[martin1912]

How do you know this if the computer will not boot into Windows and or allow you to run Speccy so that the speed can be checked.

Read the original post. It has booted before, although getting there is a pain. Spends between minutes and hours blinkinh between the cpu and dram leds. Now it does the same, except i cant shut off power by holding the power button down. It just turns the cpu led solid.

[phillpower2]

Really :unsure:

Not only did I read your OP but also each of your other replies and in your reply #5 you clearly say that the computer does not run;

And I can’t get a speccy, considering the PC doesn’t run. Which I might have actually forgotten to mention, but I couldn’t get it to run last I turned of the power from the outlet. That is my bad.

So I ask again, how do you know that the RAM is running at 3600MHz.

[martin1912]

It used to run, though, which I think I was clear, but if not, I’m sorry. BIOS and task manager said it was running at 3600.

Sorry if I sound rude. Most of these replies have been during work hours and I’m very busy, so I’m rushing.

[phillpower2]

If the PC will not presently work at all you have no proof that the RAM is running at 3600MHz.

If the PC will not start at all so that the RAM speed can be confirmed the best thing to do would be to clear the CMOS following my canned info below;
[COLOR=rgb(226, 80, 65)]The following checks require the computer case to be opened so take the following safety precautions 1st, disconnect the power cord from the wall socket, press the case power button for twenty seconds or so to get rid of any residual charge in the system, take anti static precautions before touching anything inside, you can do this by touching a bare metal part of the case or PSU or if a notebook by touching a household radiator or associated copper feed pipe.

Remove the CMOS battery and leave it out of the board for a while, the longer the better.

Remove the add on GPU from the PCI-E slot on the MB.

Put the CMOS battery back in.

Check that the RAM is secure in the slots and all power and data cables are scure at both ends.

Hook the screen up to the appropriate video port on the MB.

Reassemble the PC and making sure that the keyboard is attached.

With your fingers crossed, press the power on button and hope.[/COLOR]