Inquiry: After relocating my computer, it has started to reboot unpredictably.
Inquiry: After relocating my computer, it has started to reboot unpredictably.
The Problem
About a week ago, I relocated my computer from one desk to another, and since then, it has started to restart intermittently. After the first restart, it tends to do so more often unless it is powered off for a period.
To clarify, these "restarts" do not completely reboot the system. While I'm using my computer, the screen goes dark, then it returns to the boot screen (where you can access the BIOS) and subsequently loads normally. I do not hear the hardware restarting; I simply find myself back at the boot screen unexpectedly.
What complicates matters is that there appears to be no clear pattern to what causes the restart. Sometimes it occurs quickly, while at other times it may not happen for a day or only once within a day. Initially, it seemed to occur when I was watching videos, but that is not always the case. I typically have my browser open when it happens, but not exclusively, and it rarely restarts during gaming—although it did once right as a loading screen appeared. Occasionally, it restarts even before I have begun any activity (i.e., it has remained on the login screen while I step away briefly).
In fact, it restarted after only a few minutes of use just now while I was composing this message, prompting me to switch to my laptop.
Troubleshooting
I have conducted stress tests on my CPU, GPU, and RAM, none of which caused a restart. I have monitored the temperatures of my CPU and GPU during stress tests and gameplay, and they do not seem to exceed normal limits (although my GPU does peak at around 75-80 degrees), and the system has restarted while my CPU and GPU temperatures were normal.
I considered the possibility that one of my hard drives was damaged during the move, but I have accessed and used files on all drives, and this has not triggered a restart either.
I have updated my GPU drivers and flashed my BIOS to the latest version. I also opened my computer to ensure that all cables are securely connected to the motherboard.
I believe I have covered every potential issue I can think of, and I am now completely perplexed. The restarts are frequent enough that I cannot disregard them, yet not so frequent that I can troubleshoot them effectively.
Possible Causes
The only potential issue I can identify is with my PSU, especially since someone on this forum mentioned when I initially built my system that my PSU was of subpar quality.
The other possibility is that the temperature of another component may be rising, which I may have overlooked.
Do either of these seem like plausible causes? Are there additional tests or checks I can perform? Any other likely culprits? Any assistance would be immensely appreciated.
System
OS: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
GPU: GTX 1660ti
CPU: Ryzen 3700x
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 2x8GB 3200mhz
Motherboard: MPG Gaming Plus x570
PSU: Thermaltake London 550w Semi-modular
SSD: Crucial CT500MX (500GB) - OS drive
HDDs:
Western Digital WDC WD10EZEX 1TB
Seagate ST4000DM004 4TB
Western Digital WDC WD5000AAKX 500GB
Is the power supply unit older than the other parts? If you think the hard drive might be the issue, you should upload its S.M.A.R.T. data (you can utilize Crystaldiskinfo for this). However, failing hard drives usually cause the operating system to freeze, which is not what you're experiencing. What you can do is check if the voltages remain steady over time. You can use OCCT for stress testing and log the voltages as well.
Introduction
I encountered random restarts after relocating my computer, and after seeking assistance in the thread I created, I determined that the most probable issue was the power supply unit (PSU) after ensuring the cables were secure and conducting stress tests on the CPU, GPU, and RAM. Since I intended to upgrade to an RTX 3070, I needed to get a 650w unit regardless, so I decided to make the upgrade this weekend.
The Issue
For context, since both power supplies were semi-modular, I retained the modular cables from the old PSU and connected them to the new PSU for the initial two or three boot attempts. I mention this in case it was an unwise choice.
After removing the previous PSU (Thermaltake London 550w) and installing the new PSU (Corsair TX650M), I powered on the system and initially faced problems. My CPU water cooler light was blinking red, and the display indicated "Please power down and connect the GPU with the appropriate power cable" (or something similar). I replaced the old PCI-E cable with the new one, which seemed to fix the issue. However, I then realized that none of my drives (one SSD with the operating system and three HDDs) were visible in the BIOS menu, so I shut down and replaced all the old PSU cables with new ones.
After this, the system booted, and I reached the desktop, but only my OS SSD was recognized. The power cable for my SSD is distinct from the one for my HDDs (due to their placement in the case), so I suspected that the cable connecting my HDDs might not have been inserted correctly. I unplugged it and reconnected it at both the PSU and to all three HDDs.
I attempted to boot again, but still nothing. There is no sign of my three HDDs. I have verified all the cables (both power and data). I checked the BIOS menu and Windows disk management, yet found nothing.
The only possibilities I can consider are a) using the old power cables from the previous PSU may have caused an issue (possibly damaging them), or b) the new power cable isn't functioning, as I have to bend it quite a bit at one end to fit it into the HDD at the bottom of the stack.
Do either of these scenarios seem plausible? I am uncertain about what else might have gone wrong or how to recover the drives and would appreciate any suggestions, ideas, tests, or clarifications.
System
OS: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
GPU: ASUS GTX 1660ti Phoenix
CPU: Ryzen 7 3700x
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i Pro
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 2x8GB 3200mhz
Motherboard: MPG Gaming Plus x570
PSU: Corsair TX650M (formerly Thermaltake London 550w)
SSD: Crucial CT500MX (500GB) - OS drive
HDDs:
Western Digital WDC WD10EZEX 1TB
Seagate ST4000DM004 4TB
Western Digital WDC WD5000AAKX 500GB
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/jttQFG
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use the cables from one modular PSU on another. This is a guaranteed recipe for disaster.
Really? So it's likely this is the problem? ...Have I bricked the three HDDs?
Indeed, that's correct. It's improbable that it's merely an issue; it IS the issue. You may have damaged the spindle motors or read/write heads on hard drives and the controllers on solid-state drives. Modular power supply cables are not standardized.
I’ve verified that my SSD appears to be functioning properly, fortunately. So... What should I do regarding my other drives? Is there a chance they can be recovered? Are they irretrievable?