Oculus Rift Arriving Today

[Orvidius]

I got the Corsair RM850X, installed it, and took photos to make sure I knew exactly what was plugged in where. Booted successfully, ran some checks on Windows and then started the Rift and loaded Air car. It seemed to work a treat, but then....

the computer shut itself down again. With the old PSU, I used to be able to boot back in, no problems. This time, however, it wouldn't turn back on. I turned off the power switch, waited a few seconds, then tried again. It turned on, but then I noticed traces of smoke come out of the top and I turned it off immediately...

Oh crap, what have I done?? Any suggestions?

You let the magic smoke out! It won't work when it escapes.

When you have strange random crashes and BSODs, it's often very difficult to diagnose. People do overlook the PSU when diagnosing, but it's notoriously hard to pin down PSU issues if it's just not quite delivering enough current, or the voltage varies at random times, or it otherwise provides a "dirty" power signal.

But those sorts of issues can also be caused by overheating, unreliable memory, or a failing motherboard. The latter, the motherboard, can also result in sudden shutdowns. These days the MB acts as a direct "power switch" to the PSU, via shorting the green pin on the large motherboard power connector. If it disconnects that pin for any reason, the PSU will shut off.

If you saw smoke coming from the top, we can't 100% rule out the new PSU, though that would be a vary rare situation (DOA to the point of burning out instantly). I'm suspecting your motherboard now.

So the first steps should be to open the case back up, and look for signs of something burned. Bad capacitors are a common problem on motherboards. But there could be dust or dirt that shorted somewhere, or a loose screw that was sitting on something it shouldn't, or something. If the motherboard burnt out on you, you might still have OK components (CPU and RAM), but it's also possible that it took those out with it.

If you have the courage to power on again, take note of whether all of the fans are still turning, including the CPU fan.

 

[Dad Rock]

You let the magic smoke out! It won't work when it escapes.

When you have strange random crashes and BSODs, it's often very difficult to diagnose. People do overlook the PSU when diagnosing, but it's notoriously hard to pin down PSU issues if it's just not quite delivering enough current, or the voltage varies at random times, or it otherwise provides a "dirty" power signal.

But those sorts of issues can also be caused by overheating, unreliable memory, or a failing motherboard. The latter, the motherboard, can also result in sudden shutdowns. These days the MB acts as a direct "power switch" to the PSU, via shorting the green pin on the large motherboard power connector. If it disconnects that pin for any reason, the PSU will shut off.

If you saw smoke coming from the top, we can't 100% rule out the new PSU, though that would be a vary rare situation (DOA to the point of burning out instantly). I'm suspecting your motherboard now.

So the first steps should be to open the case back up, and look for signs of something burned. Bad capacitors are a common problem on motherboards. But there could be dust or dirt that shorted somewhere, or a loose screw that was sitting on something it shouldn't, or something. If the motherboard burnt out on you, you might still have OK components (CPU and RAM), but it's also possible that it took those out with it.

If you have the courage to power on again, take note of whether all of the fans are still turning, including the CPU fan.

Stand by Red Leader, Baba Ghannoush is back on the case.

Just opened up the box and it looks ok. No obvious burn marks, no more smoke.

I risked turning it on, and it powered up just fine. GPU loaded OK, fans were all spinning. Internal lights also OK.

However, I got one long beep and three short beeps. Checked my motherboard's beep codes and it looks like this is a "Conventional/Extended" memory failure.

Commencing memory testing before booting back up, so wish me luck.

Commander Baba Ghannoush, over and out.

 

[TorTorden_VR]

Not sure This is the case.
But if you have a modular psu. If you have it's probably too late

DO NOT EVER KEEP THE OLD CABLES.
They are not interchangeable on the psu end.

Even models from the same brand has been known to switch pin layout between models even if they use the exact same plugs.

It is an absolute evil practice and almost the last thing not to be fully standardised.

 

[Flapdrol1337]

If it doesn't find anything there's a tool that runs under windows called HCI memtest, that tool always found errrors quicker than bootable memtest for me. Prime95 also tests memory.

 

[heretowatch]

Honestly I suspected something else was up with your system aside from the PSU. As others have stated, 750W is more than enough for that setup. You might as well take back the 850W and use the money toward fixing what's really wrong. RAM maybe?

 

[Dad Rock]

Turns out this is a graphics card failure. The 980Ti basically keeled over as I tested out the Rift. Turns out the one long beep and three short beeps indicate a GPU failure, and that is the only new component I purchased prior to the Rift.

I'm speculating, but I wonder if my old PSU simply shut down under the increased power demands, whereas now that I finally had enough power, the GPU finally buckled. I don't imagine I was doing anything unreasonable with it.

From what I can tell, the new PSU and the rest of the computer components are fine for now. Hopefully Computer Exchange send me a replacement or refund.

I was SOOOO close to playing Elite Dangerous in VR. So close....

 

[heretowatch]

So close! I hope they give you a speedy replacement or refund.

 

[Dad Rock]

So close! I hope they give you a speedy replacement or refund.

Thanks, dude! No Elite for me now till this gets sorted...

 

[Orvidius]

Yeah, a GPU failing sounds consistent as well. Sometimes they'll work fine in 2D (as in, working OK just in the Windows desktop) even after you've overheated and damaged it to the point of not functioning for 3D anymore. It may have started with a fan failure. The failure modes on the fans can vary. Sometimes they'll run at a lower top speed when the bearings start to fail, while simultaneously drawing more current. And VR will work your GPU harder than most 2D games will, especially in ED.

So, does this mean it's time for a 1080 Ti? I recently upgraded to one of those from a 1070, and I'm pretty pleased that I did so. The performance is great.

 

[Alec Turner]

Turns out this is a graphics card failure. The 980Ti basically keeled over as I tested out the Rift. Turns out the one long beep and three short beeps indicate a GPU failure, and that is the only new component I purchased prior to the Rift.

I'm speculating, but I wonder if my old PSU simply shut down under the increased power demands, whereas now that I finally had enough power, the GPU finally buckled. I don't imagine I was doing anything unreasonable with it.

From what I can tell, the new PSU and the rest of the computer components are fine for now. Hopefully Computer Exchange send me a replacement or refund.

I was SOOOO close to playing Elite Dangerous in VR. So close....


https://media.giphy.com/media/l0O9zrbtv8ALhvqi4/giphy.gif

Hey Baba ... just wanted to say that's rough buddy, you have my sympathy. Well done for taking it in good spirit and posting here with the humorous gifs rather than a pile of salty bitterness. Really hope you get your problems sorted out soon ... it will all be worth it in the end you know.

 

[Dad Rock]

Hey Baba ... just wanted to say that's rough buddy, you have my sympathy. Well done for taking it in good spirit and posting here with the humorous gifs rather than a pile of salty bitterness. Really hope you get your problems sorted out soon ... it will all be worth it in the end you know.

Thanks! When life throws mellons and all that

Good news is CEX have replied and asked me to post it back or return it to one of their shops for a refund. I think I might go for the latter, then bite the bullet and get myself a 1080 Ti.

 

[Orvidius]

Thanks! When life throws mellons and all that

At first glance, I misread that as "When wife throws melons"... Well, I guess that's one way she could show displeasure at spending money on VR and video cards... lol

 

[Dibiase]

Thanks! When life throws mellons and all that

Good news is CEX have replied and asked me to post it back or return it to one of their shops for a refund. I think I might go for the latter, then bite the bullet and get myself a 1080 Ti.

If they are offering a refund I'd defiantly do that and get a 1080 Ti. It is a bit more cash but it's the best card you can get for VR.

 

[TorTorden_VR]

At first glance, I misread that as "When wife throws melons"... Well, I guess that's one way she could show displeasure at spending money on VR and video cards... lol

reminds me of this..
[video=youtube_share;58oum1UmMA8]https://youtu.be/58oum1UmMA8.[/video]
scary..

 

[Viking84]

Have barely played elite for the last few days - ended up trying Robo Recall, and I am absolutely hooked. In fact, I'm tempted to rate this as the best gaming experience I have ever had for pure fun! Worth the price of the kit on its own, everything from here on out is a bonus

 

[Blaze Stark]

I'm speculating, but I wonder if my old PSU simply shut down under the increased power demands, whereas now that I finally had enough power, the GPU finally buckled. I don't imagine I was doing anything unreasonable with it.

Sorry to hear that. I doubt that ED put to much load on the GPU though, i play with a GTX960 and it work just fine (low grafic settigs, which was automaticly set up by oculus).

Edit: PSU, sorry, that might be.

 

[heretowatch]

Have barely played elite for the last few days - ended up trying Robo Recall, and I am absolutely hooked. In fact, I'm tempted to rate this as the best gaming experience I have ever had for pure fun! Worth the price of the kit on its own, everything from here on out is a bonus

Yes! Super fun experience. I need to play some, now that I think of it.

 

[Neo-ST]

Have barely played elite for the last few days - ended up trying Robo Recall, and I am absolutely hooked. In fact, I'm tempted to rate this as the best gaming experience I have ever had for pure fun! Worth the price of the kit on its own, everything from here on out is a bonus

Try Lone Echo

 

[Alec Turner]

Try Lone Echo

Yeah ... I was just about to say that. Robo Recal is an enormous amount of fun but Lone Echo? Now that is truly mindblowing.

 

[Older Gamer]

Sorry to hear about your PSU woes. just for the record I have an i7 with a 980gtx and a 550w PSU. when VR is on, you can hear the power supply take a canning. same as when I render video in Première or After Effects.

So far it's worked, but I think a 700w PSU is called for, and possibly a bigger case to increase airflow.

My god, this VR lark has more GAS than photography!