Your PC hasn't worked in two days—what should I do?
Your PC hasn't worked in two days—what should I do?
Your PC seems to have recurring startup issues where it powers on briefly, turns off, and then restarts repeatedly without fully turning on. You've already tried several troubleshooting steps—PSU test, cleaning RAM, removing CMOS, and resetting the CPU—but it hasn't resolved the problem. Consider checking for loose power connections, overheating components, or a faulty motherboard. If the issue persists, it may require professional diagnosis.
Remove all components except the motherboard, CPU and cooler, plus one RAM stick in slot 2. Attempt to boot by connecting a conductive object to the power pins using a screwdriver or paperclip. Check if it powers on. If successful, reinsert components sequentially—front panel connectors, GPU, drives, peripherals—and test again. Stop if functionality fails at any step.
Probable problem lies with the motherboard or power supply unit. Without replacing parts, it’s hard to say for sure. If you prefer not to buy new gear, have it checked at a repair shop.
I discovered the issue is with the motherboard. I attempted to reset the BIOS, but it didn't work. Probably the hardware itself. Before I confirm it's the motherboard, I should try a different PSU, sorry for the unclear English.
I would clear everything and verify your thermal paste/mount on the CPU. If it starts and runs briefly before deteriorating further, the issue might be with the CPU temperature. Always remove, reinstall the board (making sure no grounding elements are underneath, like metal screw risers), then reinstall the CPU and cooler. Connect one RAM stick, power up the GPU, and observe the behavior. The problem could lie with the PSU or board itself.
You're dealing with a boot loop on your DELL PC that doesn't reach BIOS/POST before shutting down. Have you checked the inside of the case? It might be a CMOS reset issue or a power supply problem. Since we don’t have full details, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what’s wrong. We’re not affiliated with Dell.