NUC5i3RYH Suddenly won't boot

[jleavy046]

Hi, 

I have been running this NUC constantly for about 3 years as a headless server running debian and PROXMOX. 

Suddenly today I couldn't ping this NUC. Looking at the power button it was slowly flashing red (no pattern), and no display.

I rebooted it but now it will not boot and all I get it the normal power light (blue) and CPU fan running at full power. I can only power off by unplugging the power, holding the power switch has no effect. No post, etc. 

2 x 8gb ram

512gb SSD. 

TROUBLE SHOOTING COMPLETED:

- Left unplugged for 1hr

- Reseated the RAM

- Attempted boot with each ram chip only (various combinations) 

- Remove all drives and peripherals

- Removed Jumper switch. 

Nothing further attempted. Never had any issues with this nuc. 

Any suggestions?

No, I don't have a multimeter to trouble shoot the power adapter but it's getting power so unlikely an issue ? 

Thanks in advance, 

Joe

[Maria_R_Intel]

Hello jleavy046,

Thank you for posting on the Intel* Community.

Unfortunately, due to this product being discontinued, Intel Customer Service no longer supports inquiries for it, but perhaps fellow community members have the knowledge to jump in and help. You may also find the Discontinued Products website (https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/discontinued-products.html) helpful to address your request.

Please keep in mind that this thread will no longer be monitored by Intel. Thank you for your understanding.

Best regards,

Maria R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[jleavy046]

Hi Maria,
Understood and thanks for the response.
Regards, Joe

[n_scott_pearson]

Unfortunately, this is similar to a half dozen other unresolved reports that have been posted here. Let's go through the analysis process anyway...

Is the (green) Standby Power LED on the board coming on when you plug in the power brick?

When you press the power button, does the Power LED flash initially or does it immediately go on solid?

When you say no display, what interfaces did you try? Both HDMI and DP?

Are you seeing any disk activity?

Have you tried to get to the Power Button Menu? Power off. Power back on holding the Power Button down for a long three count. If the unit powers back off, you held it too long (try again). If the Power LED (and fan) stay on, wait to see if Power Button Menu appears (it may take up to 60 seconds).

...S

[jleavy046]

Hi n_scott_pearson,
Thanks for taking the time to respond and happy new year to you.

1 Is the (green) Standby Power LED on the board coming on when you plug in the power brick?

Yes, green LED is on and stays on. No blinking s soon as the board gets power.

2. When you press the power button, does the Power LED flash initially or does it immediately go on solid?

Immediately come on solid and fan spins to full speed instantly. No blinking.

3. When you say no display, what interfaces did you try? Both HDMI and DP?

HDMI only, I will try - if possible - display port tomorrow but I'm not holding out hope!

4. Are you seeing any disk activity?

None. No attempt to boot up and no disk (SATA SSD) activity visible. Power led solid on and green LED on the board solid on at all time.

5. Have you tried to get to the Power Button Menu? Power off. Power back on holding the Power Button down for a long three count. If the unit powers back off, you held it too long (try again). If the Power LED (and fan) stay on, wait to see if Power Button Menu appears (it may take up to 60 seconds).

Attempted just now for 5 seconds or so, no effect. Left running for 10 mins, no display.
Even if I hold the power button for 20 seconds++ the unit will not power off (force power off). To power off the unit I can only unplug the power. I was not aware of any menus here via power button so I'll attempt a few more times before I give up fully.

Got a multi meter today, 14.5v out as expected so power cord is good.

Again, thanks for your time and help.

Joe

[n_scott_pearson]

14.5V? Um, no, it should typically be ~19V. If you've measured it right, then I think your power brick is failing. Do you have another NUC whose power brick could be tried here?

...S

[jleavy046]

Sorry, that was a typo -19.5v.; disregard the 14v mentioned.

I've tried the power button now a few times and definitely no luck.

I suspect it's the motherboard or CPU at this stage that has died....

I'll have to buy a mini DP cable to test the display port but again I'm not holding any hope.

What a brilliant end to 2020 - NOT!
Joe

[jleavy046]

Hi,

Just to let you know that after resting for 48hrs or so this server has come back from the dead and is back in full operation for the past 14.5 hours.

I've had a look in the BIOS event logs and all i can see is a CMOS battery failure and a BIOS checksum error. To that end I've ordered a replacement CMOS battery however a friend of mine has suggested a capacitor related issue maybe the real cause.

Thanks again for the time and advise.