Random Boot

Zitat von chente

It would be unfortunate if all this is reduced to a simple button But you could be right.

I ran the on board ram test and installed memtest and ran that also swapped out ram but still always the same result.

I wonder if I disconnected the power button would I have the same problem (and shorted the pins) 🤔

Zitat von KM0201

I built my first computer about 20yrs ago, and have built more than I care to think since then, fixed multiple store boughts, etc.... and I've never once saw this happen.

This would seem to be like one of those .00001% things.

Even with the .00001% its something I can't test the front panel IO and power button are connected under where the heat sink is. I would literally have to boot it with out the cpu heat sink which probably not the best of idea

Zitat von geaves

Having read through the thread and doing a search related to the machine and the symptom, there seems to be a number of related issues but no two are the same, these range GPU underpowering in the PCIe slot, faulty power button (yep that one), replacing the CMOS battery and doing a cmos reset via pins on the m'board.

These are one of Dell's business models and are normally bullet proof, but being a PC anything is possible, TBH I like the idea of the CMOS battery as it reminded me of an old HP server I had, this would randomly shut down for what appeared to be no apparent reason. After the going around in circles trying the obvious finally replaced the battery and reset the CMOS.

Thanks I can't test the power button as the header is under the CPU heats ink so I will try the cmos, found a guide online so hopefully it work. https://www.dell.com/community…ios-and-cmos/td-p/4409389

Zitat von geaves

Having read through the thread and doing a search related to the machine and the symptom, there seems to be a number of related issues but no two are the same, these range GPU underpowering in the PCIe slot, faulty power button (yep that one), replacing the CMOS battery and doing a cmos reset via pins on the m'board.

These are one of Dell's business models and are normally bullet proof, but being a PC anything is possible, TBH I like the idea of the CMOS battery as it reminded me of an old HP server I had, this would randomly shut down for what appeared to be no apparent reason. After the going around in circles trying the obvious finally replaced the battery and reset the CMOS.

Yeah, i think things may be worse now the system doesn't stay on long enough for it to finish the boot process

Zitat von Kobayashi Maru

Still a possibility, and the test is so simple to implement, it's a must-try. Just like the case of a randomly not starting PC that had intermittent contact between the pins and jumper cap of the BIOS Clear/Normal jumper. Gold contacts do not guarantee problem free contact.

Remove the heatsink, fit jumper wires, refit heatsink, touch wires together.

Is the BIOS power setting on 4 seconds wait before shutdown?

From the Dell link:

5 Minutes sounds rather long, and the above doesn't inform you to shut down the power supply completely first, which I would do.

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Thank you, I think it must have been a faulty power button. I got around to unplugging the connector didn't have a spare jumper wire so had to use a screwdriver (have set the BIOs to auto on power) and the system has been on for 30+ hours I'm going to put back in the other stick of ram and see what happens. If all go's well I will order a new switch.

Zitat von geaves

Wow, I would have put that one at the bottom of the list

It wasn't even on the list of thing I thought of to check, I put the other stick of RAM back in and it seems stable but I will give it 3 or 4 days before I mark this as resolved.

Zitat von Kobayashi Maru

Still a possibility, and the test is so simple to implement, it's a must-try. Just like the case of a randomly not starting PC that had intermittent contact between the pins and jumper cap of the BIOS Clear/Normal jumper. Gold contacts do not guarantee problem free contact.

Remove the heatsink, fit jumper wires, refit heatsink, touch wires together.

Is the BIOS power setting on 4 seconds wait before shutdown?

From the Dell link:

5 Minutes sounds rather long, and the above doesn't inform you to shut down the power supply completely first, which I would do.

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Thank you again, its been 4ish days and no random power off's or reboot even with all 4 sticks of RAM. I have ordered a new power switch cable.

Zitat von KM0201

I'm curious if you really need a new cable.. its' probably just the end connectors (is my guess).. just go down to the hardware store and get some 12v wiring, and i'm sure they have some sort of connector you could fit onto the motherboard (not sure exactly on those pin sizes).. use a screw driver to connect the new wires to the old switch. Easy peasy.

Probably a foot of wire, 2 connectors and a pair of pliers. I can't imagine total being more than 5 bucks (assuming you have a pair of pliers)

Edit: Even better.. just cut one of these off, and figure out a wayy to connect it to your switch (I'd have to see a pic of the switch side to give a suggestion on this).. This would essentially replcae everything but the switch on the outside of the computer (assuming it's still good)

https://www.amazon.com/wangyim…acemen%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-4

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Yeah I was thinking about doing that but it turns out new wire and a new switch both cost £4. So I just went with the easier option., but thank you for mentioning it.