Issue detected: PC shuts down and restarts after just five seconds. Functioned properly before. No obvious reason.
Issue detected: PC shuts down and restarts after just five seconds. Functioned properly before. No obvious reason.
I'm dealing with a puzzling issue that's becoming increasingly frustrating. Recently, I installed a new PC build and it functioned perfectly for the entire day. However, later that night it began to stutter, freeze, and crash. After sleeping in, I tried to restart it in the morning, but when I opened it, it would shut down after just a few seconds without powering back on.
The sequence of events is clear: turning on the machine, accessing BIOS or Windows installer, then immediately powering it up again. The motherboard LED turns off, keyboard lights dim, and all screen activity freezes before turning off completely. It restarts briefly, then attempts steps two through four. I've tried a fresh Windows installation, but it fails to complete because the moment the system tries to install, it freezes and powers down once more.
Despite replacing the RAM, SSD, and GPU, the problem continues. I've taken my old SSD with Windows installed out of my laptop, reinstalled without formatting or clearing, and haven't altered anything else. I haven't overclocked, downloaded viruses, or made any other changes.
My concern is mounting—could it be the CPU? It's outside my budget, originally priced over £200, but I can't afford a replacement. I'm reaching out for advice from more experienced friends, but they seem unsure. I'm worried about costs and performance.
Start by taking a calm approach. Since you recently purchased these components, they should still be under warranty. The main goal is to determine which part needs replacement due to a hardware issue. Begin by testing the power supply unit (PSU). It can be challenging to diagnose PSU problems, so confirming its condition early is beneficial. If you don’t have a 750W PSU, a lower capacity one will suffice for testing. Aim for at least 500W unless you plan to run demanding tasks like gaming or intensive benchmarking. The CPU, RAM, and GPU should all function properly; without them, the system won’t start.
Next, inspect the CPU cooler. If the fan doesn’t spin up, you might be able to access the BIOS settings, but once you attempt to install Windows or boot, the CPU temperature will spike and the system will restart. A simple check is to feel the CPU blocks—one side should be warmer than the other. If they’re equal, the cooler likely isn’t working. Verify that the fan is properly connected to its designated port. Consider switching to a basic air cooler for testing purposes.
Moving on to storage and motherboard, it’s unlikely all drives are faulty given your usage history. Regarding the motherboard, clearing the CMOS memory might be necessary. Refer to your manual for the correct steps to reset or clear the CMOS. After doing so, attempt to boot the system and install Windows. For the motherboard, you can also try flashing the latest BIOS directly through its built-in feature—follow the on-screen instructions, which usually involve saving a file to a USB drive using a specific port and pressing a button. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, returning the board for replacement might be the best option.
Remember, using an SSD from another system won’t harm your new setup; it may cause minor errors but won’t damage hardware. Good luck with your troubleshooting!