Your machine isn't starting correctly (PSU clicks and boot loops).
Your machine isn't starting correctly (PSU clicks and boot loops).
Hey there, I've owned this machine for nine years now—actually, it's my very first proper build! I've added a few upgrades over time. First, I swapped in an SSD for the boot drive, and then about two days ago, I installed a new GPU (RX 6500 XT) to replace the old R9 270X that failed two years back. (To be honest, I've always been stuck with integrated graphics...) Here are the details: CPU – Intel Core i5-4670, Boost – Gigabyte H81M-S2PV, RAM – 2x4GB Ballistix DDR3-1600, GPU – MSI Radeon RX 6500 XT MECH 2X (4GB VRAM), Storage – 120GB SSD plus 1TB HDD, Power Supply – Cooler Master G550M.
Now I'm facing a big issue: the system is super unstable when it comes to starting up. It won't boot at all, or it clicks repeatedly every few seconds. I tried a power saver but nothing worked. Eventually, swapping the memory modules helped me get back online. But now it keeps happening.
Recently, something changed. Instead of the PSU clicking, it tries to boot for a couple of seconds before shutting down and restarting on its own. Sometimes it POSTs, sometimes it doesn’t, but it never shows anything on the screen. I tried resetting everything—disassembling, reassembling, even jumpstarting—but nothing changed.
The only solution that worked was reinserting the RAM. To be honest, when I finally get into Windows, everything runs smoothly. No crashes or power drops, even during intense gaming or Blender use. But reaching this point is really frustrating.
Unfortunately, I can't figure it out on my own, so I'm reaching out for help. Hopefully, someone can help me out!
Try booting without the GPU. The PSU's dies may wear out, so use a different PSU. Also make sure to swap the PSU cables.