BeFox

A few weeks back I built a new computer for gaming (spec: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?k...QscWGqscwVUReg) and all was great!

As far as I can tell everything was working fine. Temperatures and voltages all looked normal for every device. Used it yesterday (just about every day since I built it in fact) without any issue.Today I try to turn it on and it doesn't start up. What happens is:

Fans turn on, mobo LCD's come on, then everything immediately shuts off (takes less than half a second probably). I've removed everything except the mobo, CPU+HSF, vid card, and psu - no dice. HSF appears to still be properly set over the CPU.

I'm not sure what else I could try as far as figuring out the culprit...any ideas?

Edit: Another piece to the puzzle maybe: When I press the power button the first time this happens. Pressing the power button subsequent times does nothing. If I clear the CMOS or completly remove/replug power to the system I can then press the power button again to get the same result.

manic

Pull the ram do you get any beeps. Or does it do the same thing.

BeFox

With no RAM it does the same thing

Killer Squirrel

remove all the components out of the case and do a bench test

It could be possible that your motherboard is shorting from the case.

I had the same problem when i upgraded my rig few weeks ago.

dai

what are you running
video card
cpu
m/board
ram
power supply
brand
wattage

check the listings in the bios for voltages and tempretures and post them

BeFox

The computer specs are linked in the OP. If I should post them inline I can do that too...

The only component in the case ATM is the powersupply. The mobo / gfx card are outside, on a cardboard box - same thing.

How can I get into the bios when the computer doesn't stay on for more than 1/2 second?

Edit: Cant edit the OP so specs listed here instead!

Tower Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003BWS

PSU CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W

Heatsink/Fan ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

Motherboard ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz

GPU ATi 4870-X2

RAM CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066

HDD Western Digital VelociRaptor WD1500HLFS 150GB

CD LG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner w/ SecurDisc

dai

set it up out of the case on a piece of cardboard with
cpu
video
ram
speaker
and see if you get post
check you have the correct amount of standoffs no more no less
that they line up with the holes in the m/board
usually 9

check the heatsink is seated ok with the correct amount of paste
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...structions.htm

BeFox

It was set up on cardboard with only those components connected (though without the speaker) and no post - I'll try re-setting the HSF and paste when I get home this afternoon

dai

you will need to clean off the paste and renew it
also do a cmos reset if your not getting post
turn the computer off
remove the power lead from the back
take the side off
remove the cmos battery
move the cmos jumper from pins 1 and 2 to pin 2 and 3 and the back to pins 1 and 2
reinsert the battery
put the side on
replug in the power lead
boot the computer

there can be 2 solder points you touch with a screwdriver
2 pins you touch with a screwdriver or use a jumper
a cmos clear switch or button
there will be a diagram and instructions in your manual

BeFox

All done, re-attached everything per the 'Bench Test' thread in the Building forums, nothing changed.

It goes off as soon as it goes on.

dai

if you redid the paste you have a short somewhere
recheck all the power cords a re plugged in,what do the fans do

BeFox

Currently hooked up I have the EATXPWR cable going to the MOBO as well as the EATX12V for the processor. Then I have two PCI-E Power cables connected to the GFX card. These are the only four cables coming from the PSU.

I'm not sure if it matters, but the EATXPWR cable (24 pin) only has 23 actual metal connectors. One slot is empty and as far as I can tell corrosponds to the "-5 Volts" on the mobo.

For the fraction of a second after I power it on before it shuts off, the fans start to spin (both the HSF fan and the PSU fan) and three LED's on the mobo light up (all orange).

dai

the missing pin is obsolete and no longer used
what does the manual say about the colour of the m/b leds i cannot access the asus site at present to get the manual

BeFox

The lights I'm seeing come on are the voltages for the Northbridge OR fsb termination voltage, southbridge OR sb 1.5V Voltage, and RAM. The light for CPU voltage doesn't come on at all.

I assume they show whatever the default was (northbridge and southbridge voltages?) as I never changed them in the BIOS.

These 3 lights flash YELLOW when they start up (which is listed 'high' in the manual)

dai

do you have the lcd diognostic screen plugged in
yellow means the voltage is high and is ajustable in the bios
no light for the cpu is a problem
reset the cmos by the switch and if you still have no light for the cpu do you have a older 775 you cantry in it
it may need a bios update to recognise the Q9550
or the m/b may be faulty

BeFox

Unfortunately the LCD screen broke >< The wires pulled out of the plug, though I may be able to get the wires back in. Would that even help though, as the computer isn't on for more than a fraction of a second?

I've tried resetting the CMOS with the switch, but I don't have any spare parts at all :(

I can't imagine it would have needed a bios update as it was running fine for 3 weeks before this happened. (all temperatures / voltages were in normal range during that time)

At this point is it looking like the motherboard is the culprit? Or is it possible something could be wrong with the processor?

dai

doubtful
rma the m/b

rabinpro

you are rite..this must me either processor problem or the motherboard itself is damaged. Heat also may be an issue.make sure that all heatsinks and power cables are plugged correctly..otherwise you may take it to pc maintainence shop..

RaBiNpRo

BeFox

Update with resolution:

I ended up taking this to a repair shop to see if they could give me any more specifics before I did anything, and it turns out the problem was the PSU.

They weren't sure exactly what was going on with it. It may have just been faulty since 1000W should have been enough another idea is that the PSU wasn't getting enough airflow (the fan was partially obstructed >< but that's now fixed) and had some overheating problems that partially fried it.

Either way I replaced with with a 1200W Thermaltake and all seems well.

dai

glad you have it sorted