I finally get some time to watch a movie tonight and the server isn't connecting to the network!! I can't access it through my media players or computers. I hooked up a monitor to the server and can't even get into the BIOS. It doesn't look like the server is booting up. The flash drive light isn't blinking so I thought maybe it died. I plugged it into my Mac and it still works and I can access all the folders in the flash drive. I tried rebooting the server several times but nothing happens. I thought maybe the motherboard died but the lights on the mother board are on and the fan to the cpu is spinning. I tried installing the flash drive into different USB Ports on the server but the light on the flash drive doesn't start flashing. The server isn't recognizing it for some reason. Anyone know what is going on here? The server was just working last week.

... can't even get into the BIOS.

 

This has to be a hardware fault.  Unplug everything from the motherboard, except keyboard and display.  If you have two, or more, memory sticks - just leave one installed.  See whether you can now access the BIOS.

 

If you can, then add back the unplugged items, one at a time, to see which is causing a problem.

 

If you still can't access the BIOS, try swapping memory and try again.

 

If you still have no luck, try another PSU.

Do you get any "Post" Beeps.  These beeps generally tell you what the Bios is having trouble with if it can just get a little started.  Also check all cables for firm seating and the same for any boards.  Was there an electrical storm since the last time it worked?

No storms or anything... It just randomly wasn't connected to the network when I tried to watch a movie so I went and checked the server. Everything was powered on so I went on my comp and tried to go to the GUI but it wasn't connecting. Manually rebooted the server and still no success. So I pulled the server out and noticed the flash drive wasn't blinking.

 

 

 

 

Do you get any "Post" Beeps.  These beeps generally tell you what the Bios is having trouble with if it can just get a little started.  Also check all cables for firm seating and the same for any boards.  Was there an electrical storm since the last time it worked?

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Unfortunately I don't have any memory sticks to swap out or another psu. I'm thinking of taking it to a PC store to see if they can tell me what hardware is failing.. I really hope its not the motherboard. The MB lights are on and fans spinning idk if thats any indication that the MB is working.

 

All drive cages are lit up so idk if that also means the psu is working properly.. I hope its just the ram since thats a cheap fix. I'm not a computer tech and this couldn't of happened at a worse time since my time is limited at the moment. 

 

... can't even get into the BIOS.

 

This has to be a hardware fault.  Unplug everything from the motherboard, except keyboard and display.  If you have two, or more, memory sticks - just leave one installed.  See whether you can now access the BIOS.

 

If you can, then add back the unplugged items, one at a time, to see which is causing a problem.

 

If you still can't access the BIOS, try swapping memory and try again.

 

If you still have no luck, try another PSU.

I just removed the memory and got a beeping sound. Again I don't know if this is any indication that the MB is working..

I just removed the memory and got a beeping sound. Again I don't know if this is any indication that the MB is working..

Now try with just one memory strip, and then just the other.  The "beeping" indicates there is no memory found by the motherboard.  It is an indication that the motherboard itself may be OK. 

(you could just have one defective memory strip)

I just removed the memory and got a beeping sound. Again I don't know if this is any indication that the MB is working..

Now try with just one memory strip, and then just the other.  The "beeping" indicates there is no memory found by the motherboard.  It is an indication that the motherboard itself may be OK. 

(you could just have one defective memory strip)

 

I only have one memory stick altogether..  it's a 2GB stick. 

I only have one memory stick altogether..  it's a 2GB stick.

I'd recommend buying a second matching 2GB stick, and try that. It's super cheap at the moment, and you could probably use the extra ram anyway.

I ordered a new memory stick. I hope this solves the problem.

Just got the new memory stick. I removed the old one and inserted the new one. Powered up the server and nothing happened. The light on the motherboard came on for a few seconds then would turn off then come on again. Then it just turned off complete. Fans and everything are still running and lights on all drive cages are lit up. I tried to manual hold down the power button to restart the server but It will no longer restart like that once the new memory stick was intalled. I have to pull the power plug out to turn the server off. I tried turning it on and off a few times and no luck. Looks like the memory isn't the problem. What do I do now? It really sucks not to be able to watch movies! And if it is the MB or CPU that needs replace it's probably going to take weeks for them to replace it under warranty.

Just got the new memory stick. I removed the old one and inserted the new one. Powered up the server and nothing happened. The light on the motherboard came on for a few seconds then would turn off then come on again. Then it just turned off complete. Fans and everything are still running and lights on all drive cages are lit up. I tried to manual hold down the power button to restart the server but It will no longer restart like that once the new memory stick was intalled. I have to pull the power plug out to turn the server off. I tried turning it on and off a few times and no luck. Looks like the memory isn't the problem. What do I do now? It really sucks not to be able to watch movies! And if it is the MB or CPU that needs replace it's probably going to take weeks for them to replace it under warranty.

well, try unplugging everything except the motherboard, in case a overload elsewhere is causing the power supply to shut down.

Then, try removing and replacing the CMOS battery.  Try removing and re-seating the CPU.  Who knows.

Since unRAID does not really care much about the specific motherboard, perhaps an alternate substitute might work while you wait for an RMA.

Ok I will try this next.. When you say everything do I also have to disconnect the sata cables connecting to the drives? If so thats sure going to be a hassle to plug them back in.

Ok I will try this next.. When you say everything do I also have to disconnect the sata cables connecting to the drives? If so thats sure going to be a hassle to plug them back in.

removing only the power cables should be enough to let to get to the BIOS if one of them was the issue.

Ok so remove power cables from the drives, remove ram and cpu then try and boot..? Am I missing anything?

Ok so remove power cables from the drives, remove ram and cpu then try and boot..? Am I missing anything?

Yes, it is guaranteed to just "beep" at you with the RAM removed.  (don't know about if the CPU is removed though?)  I can guarantee it will NOT boot with either removed.

 

So, plug back in the RAM, and plug back in the CPU, make sure ALL the power connections to the motherboard are connected securely (re-seat them) and leave all the other power connections to the disks and fans disconnected.

 

see if it will boot.If it does, it might just be one of the disks or fans loading down the power supply and causing it to shut down in self defense rather than overload, burn up, catch fire, etc...

Ok so I unplugged the power cables that connect to the molex splitters that run to the hdd.

 

I removed cpu and ram then tried to power up the server. The server didn't even turn on.

 

Next I inserted the cpu and tried to turn on the server. This time the MB light came on for a second and the cpu fan started spinning then the fan stopped and the light went off. It was only running for 1-2 seconds. Tried to hit the power button on the server again and nothing happened. So I turned the server off by turning the psu switch off. Turned it back on and tried booting the server again. The MB light came on again and the cpu fan started spinning.  This time it's not shutting off. I've had it running for about 2 minutes. There's no beeping sounds going off or anything right now.Also this time I was able to hold down the power button and shut off the server. I didn't have a monitor or keyboard hooked up at this time. So now I hooked up a monitor and keyboard and when I power up the server the MB light comes on and the fan starts to spin but it won't stay on anymore. I've tried several time but it just comes on and shuts off like it was doing before.

 

Next I installed the "old" ram back in and tried to power up. I noticed that the server wouldn't boot up at all. This time the psu fan won't even spin.. So the psu isn't turning on now. Not sure if it just turned complete off because it died or just cause I kept turning the server on and off..

 

I don't want to mess anything up so I'll wait to here back and see where to go from here.

 

 

At this point, it certainly sounds like either your power supply or motherboard or CPU. I'd start with a power supply.

At this point, it certainly sounds like either your power supply or motherboard or CPU. I'd start with a power supply.

 

When you say start with the power supply what should I do with it to test it out. This was my first unRAID build and first time ever building any type of computer. The parts were recommended to me by Raj here on the forums. I'm not a computer tech so I don't have extra parts just laying around.

At this point, it certainly sounds like either your power supply or motherboard or CPU. I'd start with a power supply.

 

When you say start with the power supply what should I do with it to test it out. This was my first unRAID build and first time ever building any type of computer. The parts were recommended to me by Raj here on the forums. I'm not a computer tech so I don't have extra parts just laying around.

 

You'll need to start replacing things. First try the PSU then the MB. Return the part that you don't need. You could get a PSU tester.

 

Testers:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899200003 ($10.99)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261023 ($14.99)

You could get a PSU tester.

 

Testers:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899200003 ($10.99)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261023 ($14.99)

PSU testers are unfortunately only good at finding really dead PSUs. I've seen MANY pass the tester but fail to work under load. It's a good start however.

 

To the OP, if you don't have a good local store to help you out with parts and testing, unfortunately you are going to have to spend a fair amount of time and money ordering parts you may not need just to do troubleshooting. I run a small computer repair and custom build shop, and swapping parts is about the only way to deal with many PC issues. Diagnosing problems remotely is going to be very hit or miss, especially if the fellow at the other end doesn't have much experience. Since this is your first time building a computer, it's fairly likely that you missed something that's so obvious an experienced computer tech doesn't even think it's worth mentioning. I'm beginning to think you probably cooked the CPU by not attaching the heat sink properly, or with the correct amount of paste. If you run a CPU without proper cooling, it doesn't take very long at all to ruin it.

I'm beginning to think you probably cooked the CPU by not attaching the heat sink properly, or with the correct amount of paste. If you run a CPU without proper cooling, it doesn't take very long at all to ruin it.

 

I've not read anything to suggest that this is a new build.  My suspicion is still with the psu and I agree with you that a psu tester is not likely to be helpful.  The cheapest, no name, psu just powering the mobo (and just one drive?) would give a good indication.

I've not read anything to suggest that this is a new build.

"new" is relative. It looks like it's been running for about 5 months. I can easily believe a slightly askew cpu heatsink could cause this issue over that amount of time. However, like you said, a $20 PSU is an easy first check.

Are you planning to return the PSU? If so, get a one suitable for your build. Then you can keep it if needed and return if not.

I believe I built it in February.

 

The CPU is the AMD recommended by many. I believe it was $40 on Amazon.

 

I do have a PC store around the corner that said it will be $29 to diagnose the problem. Maybe I'll just take it there tomorrow instead of stressing off this anymore.