Aurora R4, wont post or boot after replacing the CPU cooling system

Question

Hello Guys: I'm turning to you all for guidance. I got an Aurora R4 maaaaany years ago. It has always worked awesome. I originally purchased it with the intention to keep it running 24/7 as my own personal media server, and it had work great for that purpose all along.  A few months ago, the computer started shutting down on its own, and when I would turn it back on, it would last on a few hours and then it would shut off again.  So long story short, I left it off for a about 6 months completely unused. Recently I decided to face the situation, and quite a few posts on the internet suggested that it could be the cooling system failing and the cpu overheating.  I then went to youtube and saw a video where it was explained that the cooling system could be replaced more effectively by the Noctua NH-U12S air cooled counterpart.     With a fully functioning computer, I disconnected all peripherals, power cable, etc, opened the computer and replaced the cooling system without any problems.  I now turned the computer back on and the lights on the side of the system turn on, all the fans turn on (at full speed, or at least very loudly, including the new Noctua fan on the heatsink) but nothing happens. There is no POST, and of course, there is no video, and it just stays there.  I also noticed that the alien on the front of the case would not light up either. At the time of changing cooling systems, I cleaned the CPU of the thermal compound and used a new Artic MX4 compound I purchased at Amazon. Also, when I reconnected the cables, I had connected the fan cable to the 'CPU FAN' connector, which later I removed and connected to the 'SYS FAN' connector.  My computer was also clean from dust and I had cleaned recently the video card and memory connectors as well. How can a computer go haywire like that, by just changing the CPU heatsink.????  Help.    I have seen other post here but where others have advised that their chassis lights don't turn on, mine do turn on (with the exception of the alienhead in the front of the case).

Omateu · Accepted Answer

Ok. Here is an update.

I had connected the Noctua Fan from the new heatsink and the Fan where the radiator was originally attached to, together via a noctua split connector I had purchased as well. The Splitter I had it connected to the CPU Fan and then to the SYS Fan.

since the CPU and SYS fan are the same thing, I decided to remove the split and connect each of the fans separately to those places. All of the sudden, the fans are super low on noise and speed.

I then removed all the connectors I could find and re-connected them again one by one. (No changes there)

During all this time, I had a steady orange led light on on the other small board next to the motherboard.

No POST or anything still

I then removed all memory sticks and As I got as I turned the pc on, I got the endless cycle of 2 beeps.

I then installed the first memory back alone and the computer woke up, telling me that the amount of memory had changed and to press F1 or 2 to continue. Eventually I was able to re-sit all the memory sticks and still get a boot.

I connected everything back and booted the PC. As I signed in to my Windows 7, the computer said that it had discovered new hardware. It then started searching for drivers and froze. After a couple of minutes it turned off by itself.

Now it turns up. Gets to the booting sequence annnnnnnd it stays there on the Starting Windows screen.

Any ideas.??

Omateu · Answer

I also found this: https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/Aurora-R4-No-Post-Beep-Video-keyboard-lights/m-p/5803551 It looks like there's a lot of other people having the exact same problem

Omateu · Answer

Yep. Don't kill me.

This is the explanation I saw ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23vjWtUpItk )

Most of the post I found online were about CPU cooling systems faulting. Mine was an original part within an 8 year old PC. It made sense to me that it could be faulty.

Yes. I checked all the cables, removed all the memory sticks, and video card. Cleaned their contacts and re-seated them again.

redxps630 · Answer

It has nothing to do with liquid pump. that led you on a wrong path it seems.

when pc randomly shuts down and can barely boot halfhearted, suspect psu is failing. Try borrow a verified working psu from another desktop (any power rating as long as it has 24 pin ATX and 4/8 pin cpu power connector) to test your pc. Alienware or not Aurora or else by the end of day it is still an Intel pc which follows its nature or pathophysiology. When it has a heart failure, it starts with altered mental status on monitor screen. Pardon the analogy.

Omateu · Answer

Ok. This is the latest news.

I now took two of the 4gb memory sticks, and it seems to be working without any problems. If I install back the two memory sticks, then it goes back to the same pattern.

Any possible explanation besides the memory sticks possibly going bad.??

I also tried taking the two memory sticks that DO work out and placing the two that are making the pc do weird stuff and the PC would not POST.

Any Memory Set that you guys can recommend that are verified to work with the Aurora R4.?? I don’t want to stay with only 8gb RAM.

redxps630 · Answer

Well that proves those two memory sticks that do not POST are definitely bad (and psu is definitely good). You can buy two identical ram sticks, ideally the same spec as the two remaining good sticks.  If not available, at least the new ones should be identical, then install them in dual channel.

Omateu · Answer

The new 16Gb memories are added for a total of 24Gb now on the computer. Now with the Noctua heatsink, the computer is wisper quiet and since I did a full restore of the computer, now it runs butter smooth.

Thank you guys for the help.

Ps: This are the memory sticks I purchased

G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM Desktop Memory (1600 MHz, PC3 12800) F3-12800CL10D-16GBXL

Ps 2: Ohh and the little Alien head is glowing again (He is happy)

Alienware Desktops

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