zodiac79

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong thread:

Okay. So, my friend and I (mostly him) built my new computer the specs are:

Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q8200 @ 2.33GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.3GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Hard Drive: 1 TB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Sound Card: Digital Output Device (SPDIF) (High Definition Audio Device)
Speakers/Headphones: Headphones with microphone
Keyboard: USB Root Hub
Mouse: USB Root Hub
Mouse Surface: Mouse Pad
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.090302-1506)
Motherboard: Gigabyte
Computer Case: Haf

It worked perfectly and I had an extra 2 mb of RAM. I decided to swap my power supply with a 650 W. It still didn't work, so I switched back to my 550 W and got new sticks of RAM that equals around 2 MB.
Anyways, some time later (days later) my computer starts shutting down randomly. It keeps doing this periodically and I thought it was overheating. So I open it up and two fans aren't working! I fix those, but my computer was still shutting down (my graphics card was still getting hot).
Eventually I take apart my computer and re-assemble it. Now whenever I boot it up, it says boot disk error, insert system disk. So I insert Windows Vista. Still the same message. And it still shuts down randomly during the boot menu stuff.
If you read all of this, I thank you. I am at my wit's end right now, for I have been doing this for seven hours straight. I am so frustrated and am on the verge on insanity. Is it a motherboard problem? A processor one? I am just really freaking out now because I hope I did not just wast $1400.
Help please?

Dacads

hello zodiac and welcome to TSF
Firstly yes unfortunately a lot of people get into these frustrating situations so just take it easy and try not to worry too much! :p
anyway enough advice for that,
so you inserted the vista disc, if you want to boot from disc then you have to go into bios and change one of the settings so it boots from the dvd drive first.
If you have tried this then try booting the PC with only one of the RAM sticks, do this with both sticks.
The problem could be something else if so i'm sure senior members will straight away solve this for you! good luck with what I suggested.

Dacads

Tyree

Are you certain that ALL 4 legs of the CPU HSF are securely fastened to the Mobo? Have you checked the Temps in the Bios?
When attaching the Intel HSF, do it with the Mobo OUT if the case, place one hand behind the CPU mounting area of the Mobo for support. Using the other hand, push the locking pins into the Mobo until you hear/feel a sharp snap.
At this point, I would suggest an Out of case assembly.

1) Remove EVERYTHING from the case
2) Set the motherboard on a non conductive surface. The motherboard box is perfect for this. DO NOT PLACE THE MOTHERBOARD ON THE STATIC BAG! It can actually conduct electricity! We are going to try and assemble a running system outside of the case.
3) Install the CPU and heat sink.
4) Install 1 stick of RAM.
5) Install the video card and attach the power supply connection(s) to the card if your card needs it.
6) Connect the monitor to the video card.
7) Connect the power supply to the motherboard with both the 24pin main ATX Power connection and the separate 4 or 8 pin power connection.
8) Connect power to the power supply.
9) Do NOT connect ANYTHING else. Make sure you have the power connector on the CPU fan connected.
10) Use a small screwdriver to momentarily short the power switch connector on the motherboard. Consult your motherboard manual to find which two pins connect to your case's power switch. Then touch both pins with a screwdriver to complete the circuit and boot the system.

If all is well, it should power up and you should get a display. Then assemble the parts into the case and try again. If the system now fails to boot, you have a short in the case and need to recheck your motherboard standoffs.

If the system does not boot after this process, then you most likely have a faulty component. You'll need to swap parts, start with the power supply, until you determine what is defective.

zodiac79

I understand up to step 9, but could you please explain step 10 a litte more?

Thank you Dacads and Tyree!

zodiac79

Okay, sorry to double-post, but...

How do you get the BIOS temp?

And whenever I try to press f12 (boot menu) during the startup, or no matter what I press, del, tab, f9, etc., it goes straight to this black screen with gray writing. It tells me I have no master or slave disks, and at the bottom of the screen it tells me to insert system disk due to boot disk failure.
I appreciate all of your guys' help (I even feel a renewed sense of hope :]) and am no longer incredibly frustrated, however I am still confused as to how to solve this problem.

Thanks again!

zodiac79

Okay, I put everything back together (a third time :]), and it's working! w00t!

Thank you Dacads and Tyree.
I did have the case open and i did see a spark in/near the power supply and then it suddenly shut down. More bad news: it won't turn on again.
I'm going to return the power supply and get a new one.
Last Question:
Should I keep the 550 Watt, or go up to 650?

Good news: while it was on and working, I checked the temp of everything, and it was normal!!!
Thank you so much.

wrench97

What 550w did you have?
For a GTX260 I would want at least a 650w and prefer a 750w Corsair.

zodiac79

i have a 550 W corsair.

Yeah, I'm going to move up to a 650 W, it's only 30 more dollars.
Gracias. :)