Failing Processor or DOA Mobo

[merkat106]

Computer shuts off seconds after boot.

Background:
Just installed new mobo, an Asus M3N78-VM, and upon first boot, it shuts off. This happened twice. One happened with installed graphics card. The second without the card.

PSU is fine. Worked on other mobo, Gigabyte mobo, until I replaced it do to what I believed were sporatic power issues, like powering off. That also happened with a previous psu connected to the previous mobo. BTW: Asus led light on mobo is still on.

All fans worked including cpu fan and both case fans.

I have never encountered a DOA mobo so I don't know if that's what's going on.

I also don't know how a failing processor acts since this was what both PSUs and mobos have in common. It's an AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+.

All info about this machine is listed under my system specs...

Also, could the CPU cooler not be completely seated on processor? I have used thermal paste between them. The tube of thermal paste is pretty old since having rescued it from a Circuit City firedog bench.

ASUS GeForce 8200 Socket AM2+ mATX Motherboard w/RAID, eSATA, 7.1 Sound, Video (Supports Dual, Triple and Quad-Core!) ASUS COMPUTER INTL M3N78-VM-GREEN

 

[Qdos]

Sounds very much like a poorly seated CPU, in thermal terms. However it could also be a badly seated or poorly matched memory stick.

Check your CPU, making sure you use a small amount of decent thermal paste (like Artic Ceramiqué) and that all the clamps are physically pressed home (if you can take a look at the underside of the motherboard to make certain).

Be mindful of any solder on the board touching any other metal risers, or case parts.

If the problem persists check your RAM stick by stick, try booting with one stick in varied slots at a time.

Take a look at your BIOS and set safety defaults.

 

[merkat106]

Thanks

Turned out that processor and cpu cooler weren't making sufficient contact. I reseated the whole thing and now the pc boots normally

 

[Qdos]

Well that's good news... nothing worse than having to fetch out a
motherboard and replace it... I'm glad you're sorted out OP...