PC does a weird thing on power up on occasion

Understanding Inconsistent Power-Up Behavior in PCs: A Comprehensive Guide

Experiencing erratic behavior during PC startup can be a perplexing issue, especially when your machine powers up some components but not others. This is precisely what happens when your PC powers on: all the lights and fans activate, but your peripherals and monitors remain in slumber. Many users, like yourself, suspect phenomena such as memory training to be the culprit. However, when this process seems interminable—lasting over 10 minutes during which nothing seems to change—users often find themselves rebooting out of sheer frustration. Typically, the PC then boots up normally, suggesting that an underlying problem may cause these sporadic power-up issues.

What is Memory Training?

Memory training is an initialization process used by motherboards to test various memory module settings upon startup, including frequency, timings, and voltage, to determine the most optimal configuration. This process is standard, especially when using advanced memory technologies like DDR5, and seldom should take more than a few seconds to complete. Thus, a 10-minute ordeal is certainly abnormal and warrants investigation.

Narrowing Down the Culprits

Several factors could contribute to this erratic startup behavior. Given your specific setup—comprising an AMD Ryzen 7 7700x CPU, an MSI Pro B650-P WiFi motherboard, and G.SKILL Flare X5 Series 32GB DDR5-6000 RAM—let’s delve into the possible causes:

1. Memory-Related Issues

Despite DDR5’s advancements in performance, it has also brought with it initial teething troubles:

• Incompatible or Unstable Memory Settings: Using XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) to run your DDR5 at 6000 MHz might be causing instability. Check if the memory profile is supported by ensuring your BIOS is updated to the latest version that addresses initial DDR5 deployment bugs. Additionally, try manually adjusting your RAM settings to slightly lower frequencies than advertised to see if stability improves.

• Faulty Memory Module: Conduct a memory diagnostic test with a tool like MemTest86 to ascertain the health of your RAM sticks. Faulty memory can be unpredictable and might cause the system to hang during the power-up sequence.

2. Motherboard and BIOS Factors

The motherboard serves as the control hub for your PC, and its BIOS acts as the translator between hardware and Software:

• BIOS Updates: Manufacturers regularly release BIOS updates to improve compatibility and performance, especially when a new memory standard like DDR5 is in play. Ensuring your MSI Pro B650-P WiFi motherboard has the latest BIOS version can resolve peculiar startup behaviors.

• Check for Loose Connections: A loosely connected RAM stick or improperly seated PCIe card can create startup inconsistencies. Reseating these components ensures a proper connection.

3. Power Supply Considerations

The heart of any build, the power supply unit (PSU) plays a crucial role:

• Power Supply Efficiency: A PSU operating at its limit or providing power inconsistently can lead to power-up problems. Confirm that your PSU has enough headroom above your system’s requirements and look out for efficiency certifications like 80 PLUS ratings.

• Cables and Connections: Check all power cables, especially those powering the motherboard and GPU. Faulty cables or connections can delay or prevent peripherals and monitors from receiving power.

Observational Patterns and Diagnostic Steps

It is important to document specific conditions when these startup issues occur to predict and prevent them more effectively:

Patterns to Observe:

• Duration the PC is Powered Down: Does the problem manifest only after the PC has been off for extended periods, such as after a day at work?

• Environmental Conditions: Variations in room temperature or humidity can affect hardware behavior. High temperatures, in particular, can cause components to operate sub-optimally during startup.

Diagnostic Steps:

1. Perform a Cold Boot Test: Shut down your PC and disconnect it from the power source overnight. Then monitor its startup behavior the following day.

2. System Logs and Event Viewer: Utilize event logs in Windows to search for any critical errors logged that might provide clues.

3. Isolating Hardware Components: Boot the system with minimal components—just one RAM stick, for instance—to see if the problem persists.

Possible Solutions and Best Practices

Given the unpredictability of this issue, here are a few solutions and best practices to help remedy and prevent future startup anomalies:

Update and Configure the BIOS:

• Always ensure you’re running the latest BIOS version. Consult MSI’s support site for the most recent update, and cautiously proceed with BIOS flashing only if confident in the procedure.

Memory Configuration:

• If XMP profiles are causing instability, manually set the RAM to JEDEC DRAM standard speeds and voltages in BIOS, before progressively enhancing it toward the 6000 MHz threshold.

System Maintenance:

• Regularly clean your PC to avoid dust build-up, which can cause overheating and short circuits, affecting power smoothness.

• Surge Protection and Quality Power Source: Invest in a surge protector to safeguard your PC from power variability and ensure stable operation.

By applying these steps and considering these variables, you stand a good chance of pinpointing and rectifying the inconsistency during startup while optimizing your computer’s power-up process. Remember, patience and methodical troubleshooting are vital to uncover obscure issues—turn frustration into curiosity, and let it guide you to a resolution.