Help me figure out what's wrong with your old failing machine?
Help me figure out what's wrong with your old failing machine?
I own this PC for approximately seven years now.
Hardware details:
Processor: Intel Core i7 -7700 Quad Core
Graphics: GeForce GTX 1070
Memory: Two sticks with XMP enabled
Power supply: Chieftec Polaris 1250W (originally not intended for this unit, but used)
Issues observed:
1. Frequent system instability; video output disappears unexpectedly, though other tasks like music play normally and the whole system functions briefly during these events.
2. Occasionally the machine enters a low-power state without warning. All cooling components operate at full speed or inconsistently, and the system fails to respond even with prolonged power button presses.
Turning it off via the power switch on the PSU allows restarting, but the system remains unresponsive afterward—coolers work erratically, sometimes at full speed, other times in normal mode. I can toggle it on and off a few times while monitoring the Mobo lights. In many instances, there’s no visible power indicator on the PCIe ports or LAN, though they may flicker. The keyboard and mouse still receive power continuously.
After several attempts, the system eventually starts again, allowing normal operation until the next instability appears.
Possible causes:
- Battery degradation or failing capacitors on the Mobo unit
- Issues with the PSU itself
- Other unknown hardware faults
What do you think is responsible?
I perform some physical upkeep on weekends. Thanks. An idea about heating is intriguing, but it doesn’t clarify why instability occurs during work. For instance, I began my system today at 9 AM, everything was normal until around 13:49. It needed to be warm. Then it crashed abruptly with no video signal and no clear reason. When I tried to power it on again, it had to remain warm. After restarting, it started, showing the Asus logo frozen without a boot. Switching it off and on helped it boot further. There are numerous errors in Event Manager, but they appear to stem from system instability. For example, VirtualBox failed to function properly. The Device Manager reported many 'Metadata staging failed' messages. This seems more indicative of a broader system failure rather than the cause itself.
Many mistakes and inconsistent issues indicate a struggling or failing power supply unit. What age is this Chieftec PSU? Consider its past use for intense gaming, video editing, or even mining. Remember, PSUs deliver three distinct voltages (3.3, 5, and 12) to different system parts. An issue with any of these can lead to problems even if other components function normally. Do you have access to a functioning PSU that can be replaced? Use only the cables provided for the new unit. FYI: This isn’t about rushing to buy another PSU. The goal is to better understand their importance and learn more. You can find additional links and tutorials on PSUs. Keep an eye out for other signs that might make the unit even more questionable. Just read the review and try a few calculations—1250 watts should be enough. But it doesn’t matter if the PSU can’t handle sudden power spikes.
When did this issue begin?
Might it have been triggered by a Windows update?
Or could it be related to some kind of malware?
For testing purposes, execute memtest86+
It launches from a USB drive and operates independently of Windows.
You can obtain it from: Memtest86+ | The Open-Source Memory Testing Tool
Memtest86+ is a sophisticated, free, open-source, standalone memory tester designed for 32- and 64-bit systems (supports UEFI & BIOS)
memtest.org
Performing a complete pass without errors suggests your RAM is functioning properly.
Additional runs may reveal problems, though they require more time.
It’s unlikely to be necessary unless you strongly suspect a RAM problem.
In any case, I suspect a power supply issue.
Look for a reliable PSU with adequate power capacity to test.
Unfortunately, I don't have a second PSU. I plan to purchase a new one on Monday after receiving my paycheck. This is likely the main reason for the problem.
These are my fourth PSUs from Chiftek in this lineup; all of them were 1250W and failed within a year or so after purchase. They all had significant power consumption margins, with some used heavily in 3D design and gaming PCs—still maintaining around 450+ watts.
It appears they were designed to fail shortly after the warranty expired, which doesn't make sense. It's not a coincidence that four of them stopped working consecutively. Most people suggest using Chieftec, but I no longer buy them.
The difference between the first two was a year, so I needed a replacement urgently. I think those earlier models might have had unresolved issues, and now it seems they didn't.
I attempt memory tests, but am uncertain if they improve things. I expect more stability problems and frequent issues if it's a memory problem. I usually run these right after installing a new PSU. It seems to be more related to CPU voltage. When I start the PC and see the ASUS startup logo, the system freezes without any reaction, including no response when I press the power button. The power indicators sometimes work but not always, which might point to a PSU or motherboard issue. Since this is my fourth Chieftec and three others failed around the same time (about a year ago plus a few months), I suspect the problem is with the PSU. The current issue started a couple of days ago, and I didn’t have any problems before that. It’s disappointing, but the cheap Aerocool PSU lasted longer than this new Chieftec model I’m using.
No, they came from various sources and there was more than a year gap when I purchased them. Initially, the first two were from an online retailer that isn't specialized in electronics. The next two were bought from a specialized electronics store, and I was able to use the warranty for the last one, which actually reduced the time I spent working on it significantly.