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Computer Problem Part 2

S

SL4Y3R

n00b
Joined
Oct 12, 2003
Messages
47
2 Months ago I was having a problem with my new computer:

SL4Y3R said:
Today when I got home I noticed that my computer was off, but the power light was still on. I tried to turn it off and turn it back on, but it wouldn't come back on. I've had this problem before and I thought that maybe the power supply went dead.
Considering that it was a new power supply I didn't think that it died. So I tested it out in another computer and found that it worked fine. Then I began to investigate what the problem might be. I tried to take the heatsink off the CPU, but it wasn't coming off, I had the clips undone and all. I ended up accidentally pulling the whole CPU out of the socket ( that can't be good :( ) I'm scared right now as of what to do, I don't want to further increase damage. I can't get the CPU off of the heatsink, It is stuck on there (Its connected by a thermal pad). I've never replaced a CPU before so I don't know if this is suppose to be like that.

My Computer:

Athlon 64 3400+ (Stock)
Chaintech VNF3-250
512mb Kingston PC2700 RAM ( from old computer, waiting to order new)
Radeon 9800 Pro

Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...

Today I tried to rebuild it again hoping this time it would work. I had RMA'd the cpu and the motherboard. I received my RAM today that I had ordered too (PDP 1GB PC3200 RAM)

Well I got everything installed, I went back to start up and it came up fine. I loaded right into windows (used the same hard drive from my old computer) and it seemed all was well.
I went to go play a song, hten 5 seconds into the song, the computer shuts off. I tried restarting it again and nothing happened...
Now I am stuck with the same problem as before, I thought that it was the motherboard the first time around, now I have no clue what is causing the problem. If someone can help me out that would be great.

Thanks for the help.
 
I don't have any specific advice, but a more general technique I have used in the past.

When I have very strange issues that I cannot pinpoint, I start by reducing the system to the absolute minimum hardware needed. So you might try unplugging you optical drives, floppy drive, and removing any expansion cards.

Basically just the PSU, motherboard, cpu (and cooler, obviously), RAM, video card, and hard drive...

If it won't even POST at that point, try resetting the CMOS on the motherboard. There should be a jumper to handle that. If you're not familiar with this, read the motherboard manual, but it's usually very simple: you typically just move it over and right back, which resets the BIOS settings.

If you can get it to POST, go into the BIOS and disable as much as you can that is non-essential... USB, sound, network, serial, and printer port can usually all be disabled.

Then test the system. Maybe prime95 or a looping 3DMark demo.

If you are still having problems, try some different components. Maybe a different video card, or some different RAM would help.

As long as it is stable, start adding things back one-by-one. I would start by re-enabling the motherboard's onboard peripherals. Then add your drives back, then expansion cards, etc.

The idea is to try to isolate the problem. It sounds hardware related.
 
Sorry I guess I should have stated this in my previous post

It's not the PSU as the computer I am running is currently using it. I have tried another PSU and no luck there.
I'm guessing that there is something screwed somewhere between the Motherboard, CPU and possibly the case?
I heard somewhere that if the motherboard is connected to the case, this causes it to be grounded and it doesnt work right?
 
Today when I got home I noticed that my computer was off, but the power light was still on. I tried to turn it off and turn it back on, but it wouldn't come back on. I've had this problem before and I thought that maybe the power supply went dead.
Click to expand...

Definitely a grounding issue. Take everything out and make sure your copper screws are in there.

-J.
 
i got such problem on one of my AMD platform PC a year ago.
config:
cpu:Barton 2500, Ram 256x2 (poor guy :( )...and with PS SPI 350w...

exactly two pc on same configuration. One of pc, as yours power light is on..
but it just never shows me even BIOS screen. I am so silly that exchange some
hardware to test.
Finally, two of my Barton was damaged. I am luck that it is life long warrantty there.
i got back two new Barton and found out what the problem source is.

The PowerSupply had demaged two barton.

So, i wanna suggest you use one new PS to test your system.
firstly, you just install your MB+CPU+Display to boot
then...adding HW one by one...it's what RMA do

I hope my poor english easy can give you some idea
 
So if the motherboard makes contact with the case then it shorts the circuit?

I can see this happening, because I don't like how my motherboard is connected in my case, it just doesn't feel secure.

Thanks for the replies
 
You want to use standoffs between the motherboard and your case, and only where there are holes on your motherboard. Line them up correctly and screw it in securely.

Does this happen only when playing songs or other tasks as well? Besides grounding, the only other two less likely scenarios I can think of would be heating and/or driver conflicts.
 
today I tried some things to see what I could figure out:

I took out the motherboard and layed down on some cardboard. Hooked up the 2 power connnectors that go into the motherboard and took the cords for the power switch and plugged that in. Tried to power it on by pushing the power button my case to see if the fan would start up nothing happened. One thing I did notice though that the heatsink for the Northbridge (or whatever it is) was hot.

I'm gonna try disconnecting the CPU, maybe it is a heating issue? Would the fan start spinning if it was a heating issue then shut off? I hope I didn't already damage something...
 
Are you saying that when you turn on your PC, the fan spins briefly than stops? It's a little unclear from your post.

If so, you may have improper contact between the heatsink and CPU. Try removing and reattaching.
 
my friend just recently upgraded to 64 bit. He had the same problems as you do, the problem was that that he installed the cpu incorrectly. see if you installed the cpu the right way
 
hacktor2 said:
my friend just recently upgraded to 64 bit. He had the same problems as you do, the problem was that that he installed the cpu incorrectly. see if you installed the cpu the right way
Click to expand...

The only way to install the CPU incorrectly nowadays is to force it in when it doesn't fit. All CPU's since the Pentium have had assymetrical pin patterns so that you can only put the CPU in one way. Can't tell you how many 486's I killed that way (ok, none, but I took a chance on one and just stuck it in the socket not sure if it was the right way or not and it ran!)

So, for great funniness, please tell us how your friend installed the CPU wrong! Did he clip off some pin? Fold some pins under? Drill his own pin holes in the socket? That would be hardcore N00B.
 
Just thought of something that you never mentioned but worth a shot anyways. When you installed the heatsink/fan on the CPU, did it come with a protective cover that needed to be removed? That's not thermal tape! :eek:

If so, that could be the cause of your issue. That's why the computer would run for a short while then just completely die. Protective plastic doesn't conduct heat very well.
 
I checked the Heatsink and the fan, they are both installed correctly and there is no tape on it. I have no clue what could be causing this problem...
 
The cpu fan is not kicking on at all? If that is the case, heat seems to be the issue.

1. is it plugged in?
2. If its plugged into the motherboard, and it is a fan that draws a lot of current, it can overload the mobo, which is why many big fans have a molex connector for power and a 3 pin connector for fan speed information. Just plugging in the 3 pin connector won't cut it if it is one of these fans.
 
I checked the power connection and there is only the 3 prong standard connection for a fan. BTW this is the retail fan that came with the CPU.
I really do think that heat is the issue, because I have pretty much tried everything else.
Any other ideas to check to see if heat is the issue?
 
Well slayer.. I have the EXACT same problem with mine. Word by word. Just RMA the board yesterday to see if it'll help. Everytime the board was shutting down, I had to clear the CMOS to make it boot again.. and then.. BOOM.. shut off.

It's not the temp.. 42C
Last time, it shutted down INSIDE the BIOS when I was setting things up. I have the EXACT same problem as you do.

Sucks!!

MSI told me like many here to check if the board is grounded. Bump is, they told me that AFTER I sent the board.

Anyway... I'll keep you inform.

Is there any way to know if the case is grounding the board!? Can that damange to board ??
 
Yeah i tried booting it on a piece of carboard (took the mobo out and just hooked up the CPU and the PSU). Nothing happened, I'm still not sure if I started it up right. How do you turn on the motherboard when there is no switch?

Also I RMA'd my old motherboard before this... because I was having the same problem. Well all was fine for about 5 mins when it happened again.

Now I'm in the process of ordering a new case and possibly a new motherboard. I don't want to spend the money on it if I don't have too. And I also pray that its not the CPU because that would be another 250 dollars down the drain.

The worst part of all of this is that I have to have this computer done and ready by March 2, as it is my graduation project.
 
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