New computer not booting...

[jared5494]

Hello,
My specs are as follows:

- intel Pentium 4 3.6ghz 560J Prescott 800MHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor

- ASUS P5AD2-E Premium Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 925XE ATX Intel Motherboard

- Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 EPS12V ATX12V 550W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, TUV, CB, FCC CLASS B, CUL

- CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit System Memory

- Swiftech MCX775-V Heatsink

- Lian Li PC-V1000B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

**didn't list the other parts - ill explain.

Hello again. Here is my dilemna: I built the computer myself and have had numerous flawless computer builds in the past. Back a while ago, I bought the wrong power supply (20 pin instead of 24 pin), so i bought a cheap power adapter. I build it, plug it in and it powers on, the fans rotate, but zilch. I couldn't even get it posting. So, I called Asus and RMA'd the motherboard. Again, re-assemble everything and same problem. However, on the 3rd try to boot it up, i finally got it to boot! it registered my memory as being OK and my processor fine. I then went into my bios to check the settings and i noticed that my CPU temperature was through the roof. It registered 169 degrees fahrenheit and i quickly shut it off. i peeked in at the heatsink and made sure it was set properly and all that and nothing seemed wrong. I then go online to see a few postings on how hot those processor lines go, but it still seemed a little too hot. (my p4 2.8ghz now runs at 78 degrees fahrenheit). I never found Intel's actual degrees threshholds though. Anyways, i turn it back on (without the case cover) and it registered 140 degrees fahrenheit, then all of a sudden it froze and shut off in the bios. Now, I'm thinking that the cheap power adapter wasn't cutting it, so i replaced the entire power supply with a brand new Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 EPS12V ATX12V 550W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, TUV, CB, FCC CLASS B, CUL that is 24pin. This is where i am at today. I hooked everything back up and it still wont boot. The power lights go on, fans speed up and thats it. So, i stripped the computer down to just 1 stick of memory, video card, and processor and yet again, same thing. I took the memory stick out, replaced it with the other, same thing. I took both out just to see what would happen and when i turned it on, the motherboard began beeping signaling no memory. I am at the point of major frustration right now and im sorta at a bind. I am thinking that mabye the processor overheated and crapped out, or maybe the video card is cooky. Please, if you can pass any information or suggestions, i would be very grateful.

Thanks again,
Jared

PS. i will be checking this about every hour, so i will try to respond to any questions you may have!

 

[jared5494]

Added note: I touched the heatsink after just booting it up and before it was hot as a firecracker, but now, its warm, but just above room temperature warm.

thanks again,
Jared

 

[micker377]

Does your video card need the "extra" power plug?

 

[garebo]

Usually when a person cant get anything at all on a new setup its wise to take the motherboard out of the case as it could be a case of a short. However, usually when it partly boots its not usually a short, but you never know, it might be something worth looking at if, down the road a bit, you are still at a loss to get it going.

In the meantime Im sure there are a few things you could try. Like re-setting the bios, thats a definite troubleshooter for sure. You have to check the mobo manual as it varies from mfgr to mfgr and sometimes even mobo to mobo, so look it up and follow the instructions exactly and see if that helps. Also, if you get inside the bios, and after re-setting the bios, you might want to consider using the "minimum configuration", or words to that effect, again it varies from one bios to another, but its something like that. Save that setting and see if that helps you out.
Of course, taking the heatsink\cpu\fan setup apart, re-greasing and re-setting all is wise to do at this point as well.
Also, you can troubleshoot the power supply with a digital or analog multimeter (digital is better) and a free tutorial, which you can google. A good one is at techrepublic. You have to register but its a good company and they wont bug you at all.
Run memtest on the ram, again you can google it and its free.

Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[jared5494]

Yes, that video card does need the extra plug. My power supply actually has a hookup for it. I have used the power-supply one and tried an adapter that came with it. No luck.

I appreciate your feedback! I shall try resetting the bios and yanking the mobo out to check for shorts. I shall get back to you later tonight

 

[jurgen36]

I dont believe that your CPU is dammaged,we tested the Prescot processors extensively and found that even without a fan or heatsink they will not get dammaged, they just overheat and shut down. If there is unsufficient cooling they slow down untill they reach their maximum temperature. The Prescot cores can have a maximum temperature of between 69.1 and 73 degrees C without any ill effects depending on their version number. However normally the supplyed heatsink fan assembly is not sufficient to keep them within their max temp ratings, unless you have sufficient case cooling fitted. We use 7 case fans to keep them at below 60C. This might not be necessary in any case as we have an outside temperature of up to 40C.
Best of luck. Regards

Jurgen

 

[garebo]

You can also "test" by leaving the side off and putting a large house fan blowing toward the cpu and see if that fixes the situation, then you will know you need better cooling.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[jared5494]

Hello again.

I have removed the motherboard from the case and tried to power it on from there... to hopefully avoid a short or something, but nothing.

I have tried resetting the cmos by: removing the battery, switching the jumper and putting the jumper back to normal (as instructed by my mobo). Still, nothing.

I have reseated the heatsink and re-greased it and everything, still nothing.

I am completely out of ideas now.

 

[garebo]

When you tried re-setting the cmos, did you make sure you disabled power to the motherboard? Did you take off the large, white 20 pin connector from power supply to mobo?
The power supply carries a charge even when unplugged.
If not then you may want to do the re-set again. I simply take away ALL possible power to the motherboard to make sure. Does your manual have info on re-setting your bios?


I think you have, but im going to mention this anyway. Have you tried to boot with just one stick of ram, video, mouse, keyboard, no floppy, no ide or sata, nothing else connected?
Have you read your manual thoroughly?
Sorry, have to ask these questions.



Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[garebo]

In my post above, i guess i should have changed the 20 pin to 24 pin, but you know what i mean anyway.
thanks


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[jared5494]

Yes, I have any type of connection removed from my motherboard when i reset the battery and whatnot. I have tried swapping memory sticks and all that. I'm thinking about just paying the restocking fee on the processor+graphics card+memory+mobo and just starting fresh. Anyone see this as a bad idea?

Thanks

 

[garebo]

Not so much a bad idea but i dont think we are done yet here!
If you stick with us, we will get it going for you.

Any chance you can get hold of a multimeter to test the power supply? They are real cheap these days, you can get one at hardware or auto store, digital is better, but analog will do, ive heard.

Also, you may need to re-set your power supply at this point. Believe it or not, sometimes thats all there is to it, i forgot this small point.

Unhook main power cord from back of case to wall, make sure the power switch on the back of the power supply is in the on position.
Press and hold the main power-on\off button at the front of the case for a full minute. Then let it go and switch the switch on back of power supply to "off" and reconnect the main power cord to the back of the case, turn the same switch at the back to "on" The computer may seem to power on and stop, that's normal.
Then quickly press and let go of the front main power-on\off button as you normally do.

If that doesnt help then we need, likely, to go back and start with the cpu, unless someone else has a better plan, wouldnt surprise me.
But lets see what how the above turns out.
Also, in the meantime, why not give the manual a good going-over and if you see something you dont understand, let us know.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[rawdawgs50]

jared-


I know this sounds basic but I would check your heat sink mount again.

If you are turning on the computer and posting temps that high that quick I do not think your heatsink is attached and transfering heat. If it is attached right, there is something wrong with your chip or your v-core is set way to high..possibly a glitch in the mobo..but not likely.

I would pull off the heatsink, clean the bottom of it off (remove paste or artic silver) if using a thermal pad, scrape off and start over. Carefully remove all paste from top of cpu. Once everything is clean dab a small(decent) amount on the cpu middle and do not spread it around. Reinstall the heatsink so it is seated firmly.

Now take it back off. Examine the the bottom of the heatsink. There should be paste residue on it. If not ...thats your problem. Heatsink is not mating up. If so then I hate to ask it but is your fan on the heatsink blowing towards the chip..it needs to be.

If all this stuff works out and the cpu is still overheating...I would RMA it or the mobo. Nothing else in my book could seem to cause this.

Godd luck