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Power/Mobo issue?

A

ANTDrakko

n00b
Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Messages
48
I've been having some issues with my Desktop PC. Here is the build:

- ASUS P8H67-M Pro (Rev. 3)
- i5 2500
- Gigabyte AMD HD 5870 g-card
- Corsair TX750W Power Supply (80+ certified)
- Crucial CT2KIT25664BA1339 4GB
- Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200.11 ST3500620AS Hard Drive

Here is the full story:

I used to have a Lifetime Series Pro 750W power supply and a non-Rev. 3 version of the ASUS P8H67-M Pro. Not too long after setting everything up, I would notice that my monitor would go into Power Save mode and turn off. Turning the monitor Off and On did nothing and neither did moving the mouse, keyboard or anything else. Every so often I would unplug, re-plug in the Graphics card and it would seem OK, but the next day it would start all over again. Also, during this, the video card would be running normally and the fans would be spinning even though the monitor was in Power Save mode. Please also note that I used 2 different monitors, so it wasn't the monitor as the issue.

I wasn't sure whether it was the Power Supply, the Graphics Card or the Motherboard. I then ordered the Corsair Power Supply and RMA'd my old P8H67-M to get the new Rev. 3 version. Everything seemed to have been resolved until just recently.

I woke up yesterday to find my computer completely locked up. After some basic troubleshooting, I figured "What the hey" and decided it could probably use a complete wipe/reload anyway just for kicks since I have everything I really want backed up. However, during the Windows 7 installation, the "Coping Windows Files" portion would be stuck on 0% and eventually fail. Then, immediately after inspecting the BIOS, the Hard drive suddenly wouldn't be recognized!

After powering the computer off completely and then powering it back on, the Hard Drive will be recognized (this is consistant and reproducable every time). However, once any sort of transfer or diagnostic test is run on the Hard Drive (SeaTools by Seagate, Long Test), the Hard Drive loses connection. Feeling the HDD during the test shows no sign of the drive not spinning.

Here is my logic:

- The ONLY common factor is that I can see is the Motherboard. Since the power did not suddenly cease to either the Hard Drive or the Graphics card and since the other other connection is directly THROUGH the motherboard (i.e. the PCI-E slot and the SATA port), I can only logically conclude that the motherboard is the issue.

- I am having a really, REALLY hard time believing that I had essentially the SAME issue with 2 motherboards in a row. I know it isn't impossible, but the chances I feel are incredibly low.

- I also recognize I could have missed something. I've tested and reseated everything. I have NOT tested a new CPU or a new HDD since I have no access to extras or the funds to purchase, even for temporary ones.

Please, [H]ardforums. Is there anyone with insight on how exactly I should handle this issue? Is the obvious answer "Just RMA the board and see what happens"? This is my main PC and it would be incredibly detrimental to my....sanity....to have to go weeks without it and I simply don't have the funds to continually buy replacement parts.

Thanks in advance.
 
I also wanted to add that I've flashed the CMOS with no affect on this issue at all.

I've also made sure to use the most up-to-date BIOS available from ASUS.
 
Last edited:
It sounds like you either have a bad SATA cable or HDD. I doubt it's the motherboard. It's possible, but not as likely.
 
I've tried three different SATA cables all in different ports.

I'm trying to acquire a different SATA HDD to test if the hard drive is the ultimate issue. Only reason I think the motherboard is involved is because of the monitor issue I had. It was acting as if the card suddenly wasn't communicating with the board and that is the same symptoms the hard drive is exhibiting as well; it is running but the motherboard suddenly stops recognizing it.
 
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