Windows 7 - Power on-off-on Problems with New Build-MSI Z68A-GD65(G3)

I'm hoping someone has seen these two issues and can help me. I'm working on a new build. On power up everything looks good but then I get a power off and back on (like a reset). Sometimes it happens very quickly; other times it will stay on for roughly 5-10 minutes before the reset.

I've checked all the connectors, case wires look ok, BIOS info looks correct.

The other issue is that when I tried to do the Win 7 install, it loads the files, goes to the "Starting Windows" screen, and freezes there (until the next power off problem shuts things down).

Any ideas on what to try to narrow things down? Don't know if I have two different issues or one causing both problems.

rchris,

I have the same MSI motherboard and had the same issue you described. The freeze drove me nuts for about the first week. Remove ALL USB connections (keyboard, mouse, etc.) and let the install get past the starting windows screen. Once it gets to a portion where you need to use the mouse and keyboard for setup, plug them back into the USB ports. From there you should be good to go.

I first found this out by disabling the USB controller altogether in BIOS. The starting windows screen went smoothly after that, but I had no access to my keyboard or mouse (unless you have an older PS/2 mouse and keyboard). By simply leaving them unplugged upon startup, it does the same thing.

If you are in fact having the same issue as I had (and am still having), then whenever the computer restarts, it will always hang/freeze at the screen where the colored orbs come together to form the Windows flag (if in fact USBs are plugged into the rear panel). I'm thinking of RMA'ing this back to MSI, as I shouldn't have unplug/replug my USBs for every restart.

Hope this helps.

My problem turned out to be the power supply. I took it to a local shop and had it tested. It was powering off and on even with no load. A replacement solved the problem.

The system did freeze like yours at first, but I'd bent one of the USB connectors on the back panel shield when I put the motherboard in place. You might want to check those little friction connector clips that are supposed to be resting on top of the MB USB connectors. Probably not the same issue, though, since it didn't matter whether I had anything plugged into the usb ports or not. Yes, I'd definitely consider RMA.

Thanks for the reply.