New computer won't boot, need help!

S

SpiderWaffle

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
243
So when I turn my computer on it stays on for about 3 seconds, then it shuts off for about 3 seconds, then powers back on forever. All the while nothing is displayed on the monitor.

Anyone have any clue what this could mean? The P180 doesn't have a MB speaker so I have no idea.

I'm going to a friend's place right now to swap some components. I'll say how it went.
 
state full system specs please, including everything you can think of.

My first guess is that something on the back of the motherboard is contacting the case. It happened to me and it displayed very similar issues.

Barring that, if you cant even get the thing to post there isn't many diagnostic tools you can run. If it doesn't post I'd blame a bad motherboard first, and a bad processor second (I've never once had to deal with AMD or Intel RMA tho). Issues that low level are usually one of the two. Ram's the variable and easy to test, but bad ram usually just puts out bad numbers, but it usually (every time i've worked with it) posted.

OK so if I was you:

A: Isolate the system, and power it up the without a case (motherboards have a manual on switch on the board themselves you can use. It should be in the manual or on the manufacturers site, but it usually looks like a white plastic circle surrounded by some folded sheet metal).
If it works check your mobo for any poor sauder jobs that can probibly just be lopped off.

B: try new ram. Long shot, but its an easy test.
If it works, buy new ram.

C: swap out the power supply. Most components take up the majority of their power when there just turning on (all ram is powered to "1", hard drives start to spin, fans start to spin, etc). Wouldn't mind knowing which PSU tho.
If this works, buy a new PSU.

D: swap out the mobo/proc I'm hoping the problems solved by now, because if its not its either your proc or your mobo. Considering this its possible your motherboard killed your processor for whatever reason, so use your disgression. I would suggest you try to drop your processor into another persons PC. See if it exerts the same symptoms.
If the other mobo w/ processor does function (read: finishes post, don't let it get to windows, windows wont like that), return the board.
If the other mobo w/ processor does NOT function, rma the proc

And I think thats probably pretty conclusive.
 
here's my specs:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1240872

Well I completely took out the MB and plugged in my video card, 1 stick of ram, the 24-pin power connector, the 8-pin power connector, and the power switch as my MB doesn't have a manual one. Plugged in the monitor and powered it on. It did the exact same thing. There was no HDD plugged in but it should still post without one right?

I've checked both sticks ram so they would both have to both be bad for that to be the problem.

The CPU I got off ebay as a pull from an upgraded dell, it was guaranteed not to be DOA so I doubt that would be it. Does this mean it must be my MB?


I forgot to mention, my friend wouldn't answer his phone when it was arranged time to meet so I didn't get to test anything with his stuff. Do you think I should just bring my ram, CPU, and video card over to his place tomorrow, and test those all individually?
 
I'd bring everything probably. Try between the two of you to dig up a case that has a system speaker if your motherboard doesn't have a screen that posts the codes. The power on/power off/power back on thing is actually a known issue with the abit ip35 line, and isn't a big cause for concern (it's the dual boot issue you may or may not have heard about). Here's a few things to try:

Keep it outside of the case. Reseat *everything*. That means take the cpu out and then put it back in, making sure orientation is correct. Make sure the video card is completely inserted into the PCI-E x16 slot and not crooked or anything. Test with 1 stick of ram in 1 slot at a time. Remount the Ultra 120 with new thermal paste (and check how well it was making contact while you are at it). Check for silly stuff like the monitor settings, that the monitor works at all (test with another computer if possible), etc.
 
The dual boot is a common problem with the IP35 and isn't a major cause for concern? Does that mean I have to replace the MB or can it be fixed?
 
It's not a major concern. There is a bios update that supposedly fixed it but last I heard that was still a test BIOS and thus wasn't on their site. It might be up now though, I haven't looked. Honestly it doesn't need to be replaced if that was your only issue, I'd just live with it since it basically just adds a few seconds to your startup time but that's about it. I thought you were saying nothing is displayed on the monitor at all, but are you actually getting it running after the dual boot (posts/windows loads etc?)
 
Yes, nothing is displayed on the monitor the whole time. And I've tried two different monitor which both work on my old computer.
 
Do you have a spare PCI-E or PCI video card? I'd try swapping video cards and seeing if that is the culprit.
 
I have found the constant reboot (not dual reboot) to be a clock setting or timing thats just a bit too fast or voltage a little too low.
(This happened to me when I got some OCz memory that 99% of the time wont boot at 1.8V. I had to buy some Geil Ram that was guaranteed to work)
When the settings are too far out, it hard locks and doesnt keep rebooting.

Some users report that the dual booting stops when they give a little more voltage to their ram.
I found this to work as well but it isnt a lot of use if you cant get into the CMOS.
FYI

Try resetting the CMOS in case it is corrupt or has timings set too fast etc, you might get lucky.
To make sure of a good reset with the IP35, turn off the PSU before doing it.
 
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