Component diagnosis and repair for a Victus 15L PC

[KSuiya]

Hello everyone,

 I have a Victus 15L desktop that will freeze or randomly restart on it's  own. I have had a blue screen a few times (component conflict error) but usually it will just freeze or randomly restart. There is no common theme to when it freezes or restarts. It can be a few minutes after booting up, during the booting up, or even after gaming for a few hours and then sitting idle for a bit. All temperatures seem stable and normal. Event viewer lists only Kernel power errors.

I have done the following to try to track down the problem:

 Run windows and UEFI  based diagnostic tests which passed.

Done a clean uninstall of graphics drivers using the AMD utility and installation of newest drivers.

Put in a GPU from another computer

Pulled out a stick of RAM to see if one stick was bad. The problem occurs with either stick of RAM. That plus the memory test completing with no error leads me to believe the RAM is fine. I suppose both sticks could be bad.

Blown out ports with canned air and reseated  the RAM and the GPU.

Done a thorough Windows reset.

At this point I suspect the motherboard is bad, though there might be an outside chance that the PSU is failing. It's also possible I missed something.  If anyone has any other ideas I'm willing to hear them. I've noticed no domed or oozing capacitors on the Motherboard. There have also not been any burning smells or grinding sounds from the PSU.

Can someone walk me through the proper procedure for diagnosing a failing motherboard , or failing HP proprietary PSU? I have a multi meter to help do this.

If I do end up needing to replace parts what is the best way to find replacement parts, either the same model or compatible modern revisions?
This has been a pretty good machine for the past few years and I'd prefer to repair it, rather than scavenge the usable parts for a new build if possible.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @KSuiya,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your PC!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

Try these steps:

Note the Error Messages: Take note of any blue screen error messages or codes as these may help in identifying the specific conflicts or failures.

Perform a Hard Reset: Disconnect all external peripherals and perform a hard reset.

Check BIOS Settings: Reset BIOS to default settings (soft reset) to ensure there are no incorrect configurations affecting the system stability.

Update BIOS and Drivers: Ensure all BIOS and hardware drivers are up to date through the HP Support website.

Run HP Hardware Diagnostics:

• Use the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics (UEFI) tool to test the hard drive, memory, and overall system.
• Check thermal conditions and verify that all sensors read within normal limits.

Undo Recent Changes: If freezes began after installing new hardware or drivers, undo these changes to see if stability improves. Use System Restore if necessary.

Reseat Components:

• Check all internal connections for signs of loose or misconnected parts.
• Reseat memory and storage drives to ensure a solid connection.

Test with Minimum Configuration: Remove any non-essential hardware components to determine if a particular peripheral is causing the issue.

Verify Sufficient Free Space: Ensure there is at least 100 MB of free space on your Windows partition to prevent issues related to lack of space.

Check for Overheating:

• Even if temperatures appear normal, verify fan operation and airflow.
• Replace thermal compound if old or insufficient.

1. Advanced Boot Options: Use Windows Advanced Boot Options to disable automatic restarts and view error messages directly.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[KSuiya]

Hi,
I've tried almost everything above before posting. The problems still persist. I had not turned off automatic restart, so did so after reading this. The machine restarted anyway, without a blue screen so I was unable to see an error code. There might be a dump file somewhere with the error code but I have no idea of how to locate it.

I really do suspect a failing motherboard or PSU and would like help in diagnosing those components.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @KSuiya,

Thanks again for the detailed follow-up! Since you've already ruled out the GPU, RAM, software, and temperatures, and with the Kernel-Power errors and random restarts, you're absolutely right to suspect the motherboard.

Let’s go step-by-step and start with diagnosing the motherboard:

A. POST Beep/LED Codes (if available):

Disconnect everything except the CPU, 1 RAM stick, and PSU.

Power on and check for beep codes or debug LED indicators.

No beeps and no display usually point to a dead board (or CPU issue).

B. Visual & Smell Test:

You mentioned no domed caps, that’s good!

But double-check for burn marks near VRMs, odd discoloration, or a burnt electronics smell near the power delivery area.

C. CMOS Reset:

Power off, unplug, and remove the CMOS battery for 5 minutes. Reinsert and try booting.

Alternatively, use the CMOS reset jumper if available.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,