GA-EX58-UD3R random no POST

[bones`]

18 months old with no issues until the last week when it began randomly  not posting.  I power on from hot or cold, the fans spin and the LED's all light up and stay lit, HDD light is on and stays lit, thats it, monitor doesn't turn on, no beeps no nothing. I have to hold power switch to power down.

I have flashed to latest F11 bios but still get the same problem.
I have run memtest, windows 7 memory diagnostics, tried with 1 stick at a time, still the same.
I have tried a different graphics card, booting with nothing plugged in, the lot. The fact it is random and I get no beeps makes it kinda hard to pinpoint but I am leaning towards the motherboard. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I am no expert but try to fault find logically but intermittent ones are a mare 

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

Firstly I would suggest checking the voltages when it won't boot. Make sure that they are all normal. If not you have a duff PSU.

Remove and reseat the memory modules in case of thermal creep.

Check the pins in the CPU socket for burns/bends. Don't forget to replace thermal compound.

Does your BIOS clock keep the right time ?  It might be worth changing the motherboard battery anyway. CR2032.

[bones`]

The bios does keep the time OK.
I am not sure how to check the voltages in the PSU, is there an easy way for a novice to do this?
Many thanks for your input Dark Mantis there is nothing more frustrating than a PC not working 

[Dark Mantis]

No I think we have all been there at least once and it can be a royal PITA.

The best way is with a multimeter and check the voltages at the 24 pin plug where it is normally easier to get at all the cables.

When you check the CPU socket pins if you want to take a couple of nice clear macro photos of them and post here we can give you the benefit of our experience as they are not always easy to spot.

[bones`]

I am just a bit worried as to where the bent pins come into it after 18 months of use?

[Dark Mantis]

I agree that it is probably unlikely but heat can cause pins to bend and it has been known to happen.

[bones`]

I will source a multimeter this morning, find a 'how to' on the web and post back my findings (hopefully).
Thanks

[Dark Mantis]

The meter readings are not hard to do as on the 24 pin connector all the blacks are ground(0v) so your negative cable from the multimeter just stays on one of them. You then move the positive probe to the cable you want to check. Don't forget all these are DC voltages.

The voltages are obviously fine when it is running so it is when it is having a problem that you need to test them.

[bones`]

Justan update on this. I have tested all the relevant voltages when the PC refuses to post and all seem fine. I then stripped the board out and removed the CPU, all the pins looked fine to my eyes, sorry I don't have a camera thats capable of detailed shots of the pins.
It seems my only course of action is to return the motherboard to the vendor. I think this item was covered by a 3yr warranty so fingers crossed.
I will keep this thread updated if and when I recieve a new board.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes you are correct regarding the three year warrranty. Try your retailer first for RMA.

Good luck.

[bones`]

Well I returned the Motherboard, ram and cpu to the vendor who was very helpful but frustratingly couldn't replicate the fault on a test bed  I have now rebuilt the system and it has been fine the last two days but I didn't imagine the fault and I would rather someone stuck needles in my eyes than have to strip this down again, I just feel nothing has been changed or fixed with the exception of a USB wireless kb and mouse dongle that has been removed. The mind boggles and I will keep this thread updated.
Thanks

[Dark Mantis]

As with anything electrical where there are connectors sometimes just pulling them apart and then refitting them is enough to rectify a problem. I agree though that it is nice when you can pinpoint the actual issue.