Motherboard won't power-on until it rests for ~10min with no power plugged in

Question

I have a strange ASUS Rampage Formula motherboard issue.

When the computer is off — I can't power it on: 'Power' button press gives just a short impulse on fans. When I disconnect the power cable and try again — nothing happens. The LCD says 'CPU INIT' even though it's powered off, even the fans.

However, if I wait for ~10mins with power cable unplugged — it POSTs, boots and works OK for days... until I'm unlucky enough to shut it down.

What can be the cause of successfull start-up only once in a while?

---

Tried:

• Unplugging all unnecessary cables
• Checking the temperature inside: MB, CPU, GPU
• Punching
• Unplugging the power cable for 1 minute.
• BIOS update
• UPD Resetting the CMOS and cleaning all the dust out.
• UPD Turning on the 'Power on by Keyboard' feature .. just in case there's smth wrong with the power button itself

The only solution:

• Uplug the power cable, Wait for ~10mins, plug it back in and enjoy.

More:

• When I bought it in 2009 — the situation was the same
• No overclocking. My configuration is more that enough for a programmer with moderate tendency to games.

Solution 1

Try another PSU. If that doesn't work then the power control circuitry on the motherboard is broken, and the motherboard needs to be replaced.

Solution 2

How old is this motherboard? This sounds like a faulty/leaky capacitor that takes a while to charge up.

Solution 3

I would RMA it, but if you want to try more troubleshooting, you might also try resetting the bios, by jumper if available, or by shorting the battery if not.

Solution 4

CPU INIT Seems to be quite a well-discussed problem out there with certain Asus mobos. An AsusTeK forum post by Ridesy compiles a list of potential fixes which I would suggest having a look at. One of many pasted below:

. . .

01 - Take out the power cord. All this must be done without the power connected.
02 - Put the jumper "CLRTC" (above the CLR_CMOS button) from pins 1-2 to pins 2-3.
03 - Push the reset button "CLR_CMOS" in. (Battery is now disconnected normally).
04 - Take out the cmos battery and leave it like that for at least 3 hours. (This is to be sure).
05 - After 3 hours put the battery back in.
06 - Push again the the reset button out.
07 - Replace the jumper back to it's original place. Pins 1-2
08 - Put back in the power cord and turn on the power.
09 - When booting, scream very hard "YES" and quickly push the "Delete" to get into bios.
10 - Flash the new bios with the floppy and you should hopefully be fine.
11 - When all works, connect everything and starting having fun with your system.

. . .

Solution 5

So I think it's none of these. I had the exact same issue. RAM/PSU/etc were all fine.

The BIOS wasn't compatible. Had to:

1. create bootable USB with correct (ie last known working version)
2. open case and unplug HD
3. clear CMOS with jumper or button on case rear
4. restart and flash bios to last known working
5. restart, remove USB, plug HD back in
6. go into CMOS (DEL on POST)
7. load defaults
8. save & exit
9. replace case cover

It was driving me crazy but I got there in the end.

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Comments

[Belmin Fernandez]

Off topic but: You really like emoticons huh? In the subject, in your name and in every comment. Not saying that there's anything wrong with it. Just an observation.

[Murshid Ahmed]

Yeap. That's because I use to smile all the time :))

[Prerak Diwan]

You really punched it?

[Murshid Ahmed]

@KronoS: yep. Sometimes a little punch does great things! The main point is not to go too far.. :)) Seriously, a shake can return small things to their places

[Murshid Ahmed]

It does not stuck on anything! It either powers up and boots correctly, or does not react to 'Power' button at all (except for a short fans impulse). RAM is ok because usually it works fine :)

[Murshid Ahmed]

It was released in 2008. I don't think it's the capacitor because I need to power it off completely for 10min — and only then it powers up :)

[Murshid Ahmed]

What is RMA? I don't think it means 'Refusal of medical assistance' :)))

[emgee]

Return Merchandise Authorization = send it back to the manufacturer and get another.

[mskfisher]

Ah, I read it backward. Something is taking a while to drop its charge, then...

[Murshid Ahmed]

Possible. But how does it manage to launch at all if the circuity is broken? :) I can't believe it's possible!

[Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams]

Circuitry can be many different types of "broken"; some of the types cause only partial failure instead of complete failure.

[Murshid Ahmed]

Dead? Hm, that's reassuring! :)

[Murshid Ahmed]

I guess that will ensure there's no residual electricity in there? There's a USB HDD connected which continues to spin for several seconds after MB is powered off, then stops. This proves MB is completely "deelectrized" :)

[Murshid Ahmed]

Looks promising! What does this "security mode" mean?

[Baztoune]

I wanted to say "safe mode", for example when you modify settings like CPU frequency, or even more dangerous, CPU/MB voltage, and if it's too high, some motherboards prevent you from starting. It could be a clue.

[Will]

It resets the voltages (not sure if I've worded that quite right). The mobo won't boot until it registers a certain exact voltage, if it's not quite right - it won't boot.

[Murshid Ahmed]

Just tried to clear CMOS with the button + MB was left with no power & battery: I took my chance to clean all the dust piling there. But alas, the problem remains :)

[Joel Coehoorn]

This. The giveaway is the line that says, "'Power' button press gives just a short impulse on fans." -- it's the power supply, not the motherboard.

[Murshid Ahmed]

I'll try, thank you! But not now, by your leave :))

[Murshid Ahmed]

Currently I don't have another PSU, but this can be the clue

[Joel Coehoorn]

Or to cool off...

[Oliver Salzburg]

The user accepted an answer almost 2 years ago. So I think it was "one of these" ;)

[Murshid Ahmed]

I still have no solution and, unfortunately, there's no new BIOS for my MB :)