ROG STRIX Z270-I Gaming running very (very!) slow

[RP22]

I'm helping a friend with their misbehaving computer.

Motherboard: ROG STRIX Z270-I Gaming
16 GB RAM
System drive: Samsung 850 EVO 1TB SSD

Whoever built the system for her used a rather large case for such a small mobo and used a Cooler Master liquid cooler with a 120mm rad and fan. The radiator was very blocked with dust as were all the case filters. All this might have caused some overheating.

The problem is that the system is taking over 5 minutes to boot and when Windows 10 finally loads everything run very slowly.

Here's the current startup timing (m:ss):

0:00 - 0:20 : computer starts, a yellow light lights on motherboard for 10 seconds and then goes off.

For the next 4 minutes nothing happens even though the computer is running

4:34 - 5:12 : a white light lights on motherboard

5:12 : the computer turns itself off and restarts

5:16 : same yellow light lights on motherboard for 3-4 seconds
Monitor powers on
ASUS logo and "Press F1 for setup" options text appears briefly (3-4 seconds)
Windows10 loads and starts, but performance is very poor.

Shutting down the computer closes Windows and turns off the monitor quick quickly, but the computer itself takes 5 minutes before powering down.

I updated the BIOS to v1205, cleaned everything up, removed the discrete GPU and am running the monitor off the builtin HDMI port. I installed a new battery in case it was weak and causing some issue with the BIOS.

Tomorrow I'll try a new power supply. But it's been my experience that a system just won't boot with a bad PSU. I'm starting to suspect the motherboard has a problem.

Does this sound like a broken motherboard or might it be something easier to fix?

R

[RP22 · Accepted solution]

Trying to copy files to an external USB connected drive resulted in errors.  We were able to copy all the important files and folders to a 1.5TB drive using another computer and have now accepted that the system is beyond repair (for a reasonable cost) so it's been declared "dead".  So that's the end of this story ...

[Jiaszzz_ASUS]

Hello @RP22 

We apologize for the delayed response due to the recent local holidays and any inconvenience this may have caused.
May we ask under what specific hardware or software changes your friend started experiencing this issue? Additionally, is it possible that there was a temporary power outage followed by a sudden restoration of power?
Based on your description, it appears that you have not mentioned whether you have cross-tested with a different system drive or observed the boot time after removing all SSDs and HDDs. In some cases, a failing drive may also lead to extended boot times.
If needed, we recommend performing a minimal hardware test by removing the chassis, installing only the CPU, a single RAM module, and the PSU, as well as individually cross-testing related components such as the CPU, PSU, or power cable.

Thank you.

[RP22]

Hi Jiaszzz_ASUS,

I believe I did remove all drives as part of my testing. I will be getting the computer back this weekend to replace the motherboard (found a reasonably priced used one) and will try one more time with the drives removed.

The system was given to my friend by her ex-boyfriend who was overclocking it for gaming. She only needs it for Photoshop and other less system stressing activities. I also noted that the CPU water cooler connectors were reversed (CPU_FAN / AIO_PUMP) but am hoping that it's the motherboard that broke and not the CPU. I have 30 days to return the replacement mobo for a refund (less 2x shipping costs)  if it does not resolve the problem.

I'll post the results here when/if it's working again.

[RP22]

I tried booting it with the minimal components and the same problem persists. So far I've tried swapped out the RAM as well as the PSU so the only 2 remaining suspects are the motherboard and the CPU. I now have the replacement motherboard and will install it tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed that it's the motherboard and not the CPU (I do not have a compatible CPU to test with).

R

[RP22 · Accepted solution]

I found a reasonably priced used motherboard and processor and it turns out that the CPU was defective (returned the motherboard for a refund). When I pulled the cooler off the processor I was shocked to see that it was an engineering sample (Intel Confidential) that some twit used for her system. It probably lost it's way after a BIOS update. With a proper CPU  (same i5-7600K ) the system works like a charm. I've never seen an engineering sample CPU before but notice that they're being sold cheap from China on Ebay. Problem finally solved:-)