New build not booting

[blackroseMD1]

So I built this computer about 5 months ago and it would start to boot, and then shut off. I posted about it here, and someone said that the mobo was probably fried. Well, today I finally got a new mobo and threw it in there. It booted up the first time, all the way to the "Please insert boot media" message. I put in the Win 7 DVD and restarted the comp. It started to boot, then immediately shut off. Same problem I was having last time. I know the mobo is good, because I took every precaution I could while installing it. I'm thinking that, even though the CPU cooler is running...the CPU is overheating. Could it be a lack of adequate thermal paste that is causing the issue? Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[MadMaxData]

Overheating would be my first guess too, but it isn't the only thing that might cause that. To check for an overheating issue, there should be a "PC Health" zone, or something like that in the BIOS. Check to see how hot your CPU is getting first, and we'll go from there. Also, make sure your CMOS jumper isn't shorted. Most boards won't even fire up with it shorted, but some do, but then shutdown shortly after firing up. If you find that your CPU is getting hotter than the shutdown temp that's set in the BIOS, you may have to raise it slighly, or even disable it, until you get a better heatsink [if it isn't dangerously hot]. Read the boards documentation meticilously.

 

[blackroseMD1]

The only problem is...I can't even get to the bios at the moment. I'm planning on just running down to Fry's tomorrow and grabbing some thermal paste and seeing if that helps. If not, I may try swapping out my cooler from this comp to the new build to see if that helps.

 

[MadMaxData]

If your saying your not using thermal paste at all, then of course it's an overheating issue. Don't even attempt to run it like that. You will probably end up toasting your CPU.

 

[blackroseMD1]

No, it has some thermal paste on there, but as I was installing the cooler, a bit came off on my hands. All that was on there was what was already on it from the factory.

 

[MadMaxData]

No, it has some thermal paste on there, but as I was installing the cooler, a bit came off on my hands. All that was on there was what was already on it from the factory.

That's not unusual. Most people over do it with the themal paste anyway. Thermal paste is only a filler for the microscopic peaks & valley's between the CPU, and heatsink. You only need a dab. What hardware do you currently have hooked up to the board? Try to get into the BIOS to see your CPU temp with just a single memory module installed [no HDD(s) or optical drive(s) hooked up].

 

[blackroseMD1]

I have a 7200 RPM HD, optical drive, 2x2GB DDR2 RAM sticks, Geforce 8800 GTS and a multicard reader. I'll work on it some more tomorrow, gonna crash right now.

 

[CommonTater]

I have a 7200 RPM HD, optical drive, 2x2GB DDR2 RAM sticks, Geforce 8800 GTS and a multicard reader. I'll work on it some more tomorrow, gonna crash right now.

By way of agreeing with Mad Max....


This sounds like it might be hardware initialization errors...

When the system starts up is there any beeping from the internal buzzer/speaker?

You have one good clue... it's done this with two motherboards, so it's not likely the mobo itself... could be disks not spinning up, memory not fully seated, CPU problems, power supply...

For first boot I always minimize the hardware. Imbedded video, sound, etc. keyboard, mouse, 1 memory strip, 1 hard disk, no optical, no accessories... The only goal at that point is to get into the BIOS settings so you can configure them.

Then, as the build progresses, I add video, sound etc. each in their own restart of the system... That way if I run into problems I know what caused it!

One trick for the really stubborn ones --and I know this isn't kosher, so proceed with caution-- is to remove the CMOS battery, start the system up and let it error out on BIOS initialization. You should get a message saying "CMOS settings bad", "Press Del to enter setup" and some boards will even take you directly into the BIOS when that happens. Once in the BIOS put the battery back in... do your detection and settings, then reboot.... on about a 50:50 basis this fixes the problem for me.

I don't know if anyone else has noticed this but of late I've had a whole string of boards (mostly ASUS) where the CMOS checksum is bad and the thing won't start. The battery trick has almost become SOP with those boards.

 

[silentwulf]

Are you using the stock CPU heatsink? Is it mounted properly? What color was your thermal paste?

 

[MadMaxData]

I have a 7200 RPM HD, optical drive, 2x2GB DDR2 RAM sticks, Geforce 8800 GTS and a multicard reader. I'll work on it some more tomorrow, gonna crash right now.

Just use a single stick of RAM, your video card, and a keyboard hooked up to get into the BIOS, nothing else [but obviously your CPU & heatsink too...LOL]. You don't need a mouse to navigate the BIOS. You can hook the other stuff up after you get the BIOS stable.

 

[blackroseMD1]

Thanks guys....I'll go hardware minimal tomorrow, as I was in meetings all day. I'm building this for my boss, so it's kind of crucial that I get it running.

One thing I noticed is that one of the heatsink's tabs (the ones that clip to the bottom of the keyboard after you push them through) is missing. It may be uneven contact with the CPU that's causing it. I hope not though...I would much rather buy thermal paste than a new cooler.

 

[DocBrown]

I the past few months I have had some BAD power supply units come with new bare bone cases. I get part way into the install & the computer freezes or shuts down. Can you try a different PSU ?

 

[Heroxoot]

It may not be overheating, so much as no heat detection. I had this problem with an old pc when I didnt put the heat sink on tight enough. It would start up for about a minute and shut off without a second delay.

 

[blackroseMD1]

I the past few months I have had some BAD power supply units come with new bare bone cases. I get part way into the install & the computer freezes or shuts down. Can you try a different PSU ?

It's not the PSU. I switched out the one from this comp to that one, and it did the same thing. I'm really thinking that it has something to do with the CPU, although I straight switched the mobo to the other comp when I upgraded mine, so there was no swapping out of CPUs.

It may not be overheating, so much as no heat detection. I had this problem with an old pc when I didnt put the heat sink on tight enough. It would start up for about a minute and shut off without a second delay.

That could be it...there is one semi loose leg on the cooler.

 

[MadMaxData]

That could be it...there is one semi loose leg on the cooler.

This is the first time you have mentioned that problem in this thread. The heatsink being flush [with even pressure] on the CPU is absolutely critical. Either get a new clip, or a heatsink before going any further [even if that isn't the cause of the problem, which I bet it is]. You'll just be playing with fire if you let that problem slide. The CPU, and it's heatsink is the most critical part of a new build to get absolutely correct. There's no compromising. It has to be dead on. This was most likely the problem when you did the build with the other board as well.

Since you need another heatsink, try not to skimp on an off brand. Spend the extra few bucks, and stick with OCZ, Thermaltake, or Antec. You'll be glad you did in the end. Trust me.

 

[MadMaxData]

I the past few months I have had some BAD power supply units come with new bare bone cases. I get part way into the install & the computer freezes or shuts down. Can you try a different PSU ?

Without a doubt the most under-rated, and overlooked component of a new build by most people, is the PSU. Rarely do you get a quality PSU with good clean power in a barebones kit, or a case that comes with a PSU. I recommend dual, or quad 12v rails when buying a PSU. High performance all starts with the PSU. Period.

My friends wondered why my benchmarks were so high on my old socket 939 board, with just an AMD Athlon 64x2 3800+ dual core CPU. It begins & ends with my OCZ 600w dual 12v rail PSU, combined with OCZ Platinum dual channel memory modules [with super low latency, but not overclocked].

 

[CarlTR6]

I the past few months I have had some BAD power supply units come with new bare bone cases. I get part way into the install & the computer freezes or shuts down. Can you try a different PSU ?

Without a doubt the most under-rated, and overlooked component of a new build by most people, is the PSU. Rarely do you get a quality PSU with good clean power in a barebones kit, or a case that comes with a PSU. I recommend dual, or quad 12v rails when buying a PSU. High performance all starts with the PSU. Period.
.

+ 1 Well said.

 

[blackroseMD1]

Picked up a new heatsink. Gonna throw it in in a couple hours. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

[MadMaxData]

Picked up a new heatsink. Gonna throw it in in a couple hours. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

I would like to offer a little precautionary advice for your heatsink installation. Take the extra time to remove the motherboard from the case, and set it on the static free wrapping it came with to install the heatsink. When the motherboard is in the case it's only sitting on studs, and could possibly crack from applying a great deal of pressure to install the heatsink. At least, this is what I always do. I imagine you can get away with installing it with the motherboard still in the case, but I never risk a hairline crack.

 

[blackroseMD1]

Well, I took the mobo out, installed the heatsink, and am still having the same issue. The mobo has error LEDs on it, and just before it shuts off, LED 2 is lit. Looking in the manual indicates that this is a VGA error.