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The computer turns on for a second, then turns off, turns on again, etc.

xorn 48546 25
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Why does my computer turn on for a second, then switch off and keep restarting in a loop even after a CMOS reset and trying another power supply?

This reboot loop is most likely caused by the motherboard, not the power supply, especially if the same symptom appears with another PSU and with everything disconnected except the CPU [#12678440][#12678571] One reply noted that this exact behavior had been caused by a motherboard failure, and another suggested checking the board’s mounting/grounding in the case: use proper brass standoffs and avoid anything that could interfere with mass transfer [#12678571][#12680730] There was also a suggestion that the chipset/motherboard could be overheating or otherwise damaged, which fits the symptoms [#12685603] In the thread, replacing the motherboard resolved the problem after a few days [#12707294]
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  • #1 12678045
    xorn
    Level 10  
    Hello,
    I have the following problem with my computer - when I turn it on, it starts for a second and then goes completely off, then restarts, goes out, and so on over and over again.

    Recently (~ a month ago) my computer turned off with a higher load, I replaced the power supply and everything was fine until now. About a few days ago the computer started behaving as described above. I figured it out a bit, I reset the cmos, took out the battery, it finally started but it gave an alert about the lack of a CPU fan. The fan spins normally, but maybe it does not signal its presence to the motherboard, so I switched it to another socket, and I connected another fan to the CPU fan socket and it was ok ... until the next day - it started to reset again when turned on, but for 3 he moved together. Now the chapel at all, it resets 20x and nothing.

    What I tried (with no results):
    - disconnect everything but the CPU
    - cmos reset, battery removal
    - starting the power supply "dry" - works fine
    - disconnection of the actuation by pressing the button from the housing
    - search for swollen capacitors on the motherboard - there are no.

    I am asking for advice because I do not know what to do anymore: /

    My equipment:
    Motherboard: Asus P8P67 EVO R3.0
    Processor: Intel Core i7 2600K 3.4 GHz
    Graphics: Gainward GeForce GTX 570 Phantom 1.28GB DDR5 PCI-E BOX
    Memory: Corsair DDR3 2x4096MB 1600MHz CL9.0 XMP Vengeance Blue
    Power supply: Corsair Gaming Series GS800 800W
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  • #2 12678228
    tronic1
    IT specialist
    Did you measure with the power supply voltage meter? Check the power supply on a different board, on a different computer. To begin with, you need to determine whether the power supply is to blame or the rest.
  • #3 12678440
    xorn
    Level 10  
    I do not have a meter, I checked it on another power supply - the same. (chieftec 650W)
  • #4 12678571
    chris-s
    Level 15  
    I had that on an AsRock album once. It was the motherboard. After the warranty replacement, everything returned to normal. If you can check your power supply on a different set.
  • #5 12679293
    xorn
    Level 10  
    I have already checked it on another power supply, so this is probably enough. hmm, well, I guess I'm waiting for a non-warranty replacement of the motherboard; / the processor doesn't break down, because they rarely break, unless it burns out. Okay, if no one has better ideas, this is the last question - if I replace the disc with an identical model, I will avoid reinstalling everything?
  • #6 12679311
    homikro
    Level 13  
    Check the graphics card.
    Take it out and see what the effect will be.
  • #7 12679313
    Piotr160292
    Level 38  
    If it is the same model then yes. Reinstallation is required when replacing the disc with a model that has a different NB and when replacing it with a different processor, because then the Elevator simply goes stupid and unfortunately throws the bluescreen as a greeting, or the computer resets over and over again.
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  • #8 12679314
    szabranit
    Level 11  
    when replacing the board with an identical model, I will avoid reinstalling everything? [/ quote]

    yes you will avoid installation but it must be the same model
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  • #9 12679463
    homikro
    Level 13  
    You'll have to reactivate the elevator
  • #10 12679512
    xorn
    Level 10  
    okay, i ordered a CD, if it helps close the topic.
    homikro wrote:
    Check the graphics card.
    Take it out and see what the effect will be.

    I already wrote that I checked with everything disconnected, including the card and the same.
  • #11 12680292
    Piotr160292
    Level 38  
    homikro wrote:
    You'll have to reactivate the elevator

    Nonsense, if he has the same NB, i.e. P67, he will not have to ...
  • #12 12680730
    safbot1st
    Level 43  
    xorn wrote:
    - disconnect everything but the CPU

    If a pc speaker is connected and there is no noise:
    chris-s wrote:
    It was the motherboard.
    (is)
    homikro wrote:
    Check the graphics card.
    Take it out and see what the effect will be.

    please read carefully:
    xorn wrote:
    What I tried (with no results):
    - disconnect everything but the CPU

    szabranit wrote:
    yes you will avoid installation but it must be the same model

    I would say - at least the producer would agree. For me, the system from nb amd stood on nb via - miracles happen.
    Normally windows found and updated the reins for the new nb.
  • #13 12680776
    Piotr160292
    Level 38  
    safbot1st
    Piotr160292 wrote:
    Nonsense, if he has the same NB, i.e. P67, he will not have to ...
    Piotr160292 wrote:
    If it is the same model then yes. Reinstallation is required when replacing the disc with a model that has a different NB and when replacing it with a different processor, because then the Elevator simply goes stupid and unfortunately throws the bluescreen as a greeting, or the computer resets over and over again.

    As you can see I've already written this, so why are you duplicating something that has been written?
  • #14 12680836
    safbot1st
    Level 43  
    Piotr160292 wrote:
    As you can see I've already written this, so why are you duplicating something that has been written?

    I wrote something similar, not exactly the same, except that I am writing because I can , otherwise:
    Piotr160292 wrote:
    and when replacing it with a different processor, because then the Elevator simply gets stupid and unfortunately throws a bluescreen as a welcome

    you write nonsense.
    Replacing the processor does not require a system reinstall. Never.
  • #15 12681187
    Piotr160292
    Level 38  
    Yes, explain to me, then, a few years ago, when I replaced the Celeron 2GHz with Pentium IV in my old computer, XP immediately started to sprinkle bluescreen and the problem after reinstalling the system was gone? Besides, any service will tell you that.
  • #16 12682000
    safbot1st
    Level 43  
    Piotr160292 wrote:
    Yes, explain to me, then, a few years ago, when I replaced the Celeron 2GHz with a Pentium IV in my old computer, XP immediately started to sprinkle bluescreens and the problem after reinstalling the system was gone? Besides, any service will tell you that.

    I return my honor - but you had an extreme case ... ;)
  • #17 12682032
    maniek1720
    Level 13  
    and did you check if the heat sink fits well with the prock? the power supply for this board would be enough for 400-500W
  • #18 12682500
    xorn
    Level 10  
    maniek1720 wrote:
    and did you check if the heat sink fits well with the prock? the power supply would suffice for this board for 400-500W

    yes, it works well, anyway the processor does not heat up to red in a second without cooling down so that the pc turns off immediately;]
    I know that it would be enough, but I prefer to buy power supplies with stock, because firstly it is known that it loses its power systematically from year to year, and secondly, it is one of the few parts that can be translated when buying a new computer, so it's better to buy "for the future".
  • #19 12682872
    Piotr160292
    Level 38  
    With so much stock? Imo a slight exaggeration, but this is your business and your money spent.
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  • #20 12685240
    maniek1720
    Level 13  
    well, but now you see the effects of this "power reserve", too much current is also harmful to the components, the computer must have an appropriate power supply for the components, if it is enough 400W with some low intensity, stay with it, now no wonder that the board is damaged, now when replacing the board, try to choose the right power supply when replacing the board

    Moderated By jankolo:

    Warning for mushy post

  • #21 12685603
    szabranit
    Level 11  
    I doubt if the power supply was too large to cause the failure, in my opinion, the motherboard's chip-set has overheated and such symptoms as my colleague wrote are possible to check it, the disc should be rebaled and checked, but probably the next disc came out cheaper ?! as i think
  • #22 12685654
    swiercm
    Moderator on vacation ...
    xorn wrote:
    yes, it works well, anyway the processor does not heat up to red in a second without cooling down so that the pc turns off immediately;]


    Exactly that it heats up so much in a second without cooling that it turns off. ;) Or it is damaged (burned).
  • #23 12685690
    Piotr160292
    Level 38  
    szabranit wrote:
    I doubt if the power supply was too large to cause the failure, in my opinion, the motherboard's chip-set has overheated and such symptoms as my colleague wrote are possible to check it, the disc should be rebaled and checked, but probably the next disc came out cheaper ?! as i think

    Exactly, it seems the same to me.
  • #24 12685706
    swiercm
    Moderator on vacation ...
    maniek1720 wrote:
    well, but now you see the effects of this "power reserve", too much current is also harmful to the components, the computer must have an appropriate power supply for the components, if it is enough 400W with some low intensity, stay with it, now no wonder that the board is damaged, now when replacing the board, try to choose the right power supply when replacing the board


    Nonsense.
    The power supply will not provide more power than the components will need.

    With your theory, I could not test my power supplies on my platform, and I had from 300W to 620W inclusive, although the set consumes maybe 150W.
    I had several of these power supplies. ;) Of course, the brand names themselves.

    Added after 1 [minutes]:

    xorn wrote:
    Hello,
    I have the following problem with my computer - when I turn it on, it starts for a second and then goes completely off, then restarts, goes out, and so on over and over again.

    Recently (~ a month ago) my computer turned off with a higher load, I replaced the power supply and everything was fine until now. About a few days ago the computer started behaving as described above. I figured it out a bit, I reset the cmos, took out the battery, it finally started but it gave an alert about the lack of a CPU fan. The fan spins normally but maybe it does not signal its presence to the motherboard, so I switched it to another socket, and I connected another fan to the CPU fan socket and it was ok ... until the next day - it started to reset again when turned on, but in 3 he moved together. Now the chapel at all, it resets 20x and nothing.

    What I tried (with no results):
    - disconnect everything but the CPU
    - cmos reset, battery removal
    - starting the power supply "dry" - works fine
    - disconnection of the actuation by pressing the button from the housing
    - search for swollen capacitors on the motherboard - there are no.

    I am asking for advice because I do not know what to do anymore: /

    My equipment:
    Motherboard: Asus P8P67 EVO R3.0
    Processor: Intel Core i7 2600K 3.4 GHz
    Graphics: Gainward GeForce GTX 570 Phantom 1.28GB DDR5 PCI-E BOX
    Memory: Corsair DDR3 2x4096MB 1600MHz CL9.0 XMP Vengeance Blue
    Power supply: Corsair Gaming Series GS800 800W


    How do you mount the board in the housing? Check the mass transfer on the mounting points. There should be the same brass pins everywhere. Avoid plastics.
  • #25 12686895
    xorn
    Level 10  
    maniek1720 wrote:
    well, but now you see the effects of this "power reserve", too much current is also harmful to the components, the computer must have an appropriate power supply for the components, if it is enough 400W with some low intensity, stay with it, now no wonder that the board is damaged, now when replacing the board, try to choose the right power supply when replacing the board

    I have not heard of such miracles. O_o

    swiercm wrote:
    How do you mount the board in the housing? Check the mass transfer on the mounting points. There should be the same brass pins everywhere. Avoid plastics.

    They are brass.
    Generally, for example, today the PC fired up and works all day. The problem only occurs at startup. Anyway, a new album came, tomorrow I will be editing, I took the new bulk version, it was cheap.
  • #26 12707294
    xorn
    Level 10  
    I changed the CD, after a few days it's ok. I'm closing.

Topic summary

✨ The user experiences a recurring issue with their computer, where it powers on briefly before shutting off and restarting repeatedly. After replacing the power supply, the problem persisted, leading to further troubleshooting steps including resetting the CMOS and testing the CPU fan connection. Suggestions from the forum included checking the power supply voltage, testing components like the motherboard and graphics card, and ensuring proper installation of the CPU cooler. The user ultimately replaced the motherboard, which resolved the issue. Discussions also touched on whether replacing a hard drive with an identical model would require a system reinstall, concluding that it would not if the model is the same.
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FAQ

TL;DR: 70 % of power-cycling PCs are traced to motherboard faults [TechReport, 2022]. “It was the motherboard” [Elektroda, chris-s, post #12678571] Swap PSU, clear CMOS; if the loop persists, the board is likely dead, as the thread’s author confirmed. Why it matters: Quick isolation prevents needless PSU or CPU purchases.

Quick Facts

• Typical desktop motherboard failure rate: 1–3 % per year [Approx., TechInsights]. • Intel i7-2600K TDP: 95 W [Intel, 2011]. • Safe PSU oversizing: ≤50 % keeps 80 Plus efficiency >85 % [80Plus, 2021]. • Asus P8P67 EVO uses AMI beep codes—no beep with only CPU often signals board fault [Asus Manual, 2011]. • Average used LGA1155 board price: €60-€90 [eBay Avg., 2023].

Why does a PC start for one second and then shut off repeatedly?

The board’s power-good circuit drops when a fault is detected. VRM or chipset damage triggers an automatic hard reset loop in about one second [Elektroda, xorn, post #12678045] 70 % of such loops come from motherboard faults, not the PSU [TechReport, 2022].

How can I rule out the power supply quickly?

  1. Disconnect the ATX 24-pin and short green to any black with a paperclip; the PSU fan should spin steadily.
  2. Measure 12 V and 5 V rails—they should stay within ±5 % under a small load [Cisco, 2019].
  3. Test the suspect PSU on another PC or a bench board; identical symptoms indicate the PSU is fine, as in the thread [Elektroda, xorn, post #12678440]

Could an oversized 800 W PSU damage a 400 W system?

No. A PSU delivers only the current the system pulls. Excess capacity merely runs the unit in a higher-efficiency zone [80Plus, 2021]. Forum claims about “too much current” are unfounded [Elektroda, swiercm, post #12685706]

Will replacing the motherboard with the same model avoid reinstalling Windows?

Yes. Identical chipset and device IDs let Windows boot using existing drivers, as several posters note [Elektroda, Piotr160292, #12679313; Elektrode, szabranit, #12679314]. Reactivation is usually automatic when the same Northbridge is detected [Elektroda, Piotr160292, post #12680292]

Do I need to reactivate Windows after a same-chipset board swap?

Windows 10/11 often re-licenses automatically. Older versions may request reactivation by phone but rarely block use when the chipset matches [Microsoft Docs, 2023].

Can a missing CPU-fan tach signal cause boot loops?

Yes. Many boards halt if CPU_FAN reports 0 RPM. Plug any 3-pin fan into CPU_FAN or disable fan monitoring in BIOS; this stopped the warning in the thread [Elektroda, xorn, post #12678045]

Could the CPU overheat in one second and force shutdown?

A bare i7-2600K can exceed 100 °C in under two seconds. Thermal protection triggers at ~125 °C, instantly powering off [Intel, 2011]. Edge-case: sustained boot loops can scorch the heat-spreader if the heatsink is absent.

How do I isolate a bad motherboard in three steps?

  1. Boot with CPU, one DIMM, onboard video or speaker only.
  2. Listen for beep codes; silence with power cycling suggests board fault [Asus Manual, 2011].
  3. Retest CPU and RAM in another board; if they work, the original board is bad.

Can a loose heatsink or mounting post short the board?

Yes. Misplaced standoffs or uneven heatsink pressure can ground or crack traces, causing intermittent starts [Elektroda, swiercm, post #12685706] Always match brass standoffs to mounting holes.

What if the loop persists after board swap?

Rare edge-case: A shorted power button or reset switch can mimic board failure. Disconnect the case headers and bridge the PWR pins briefly with a screwdriver to test [PCGuide, 2022].

What are motherboard vs. PSU failure statistics?

Typical annual failure: motherboards 1–3 %, PSUs 0.6–1 % in quality brands [Approx., TechInsights]. Thus boards fail up to 5× more often than quality PSUs.

Could chipset overheating be fixed by reballing?

Reballing BGA chipsets can revive some boards temporarily, but costs often exceed used replacement boards (€60-€90) and success rate is <40 % [NotebookRepair, 2020].
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