More PC Problems

[SilentScreams]

I'm starting to regret opting to build my own PC rather than go store-bought.

Over the last 3 weeks I've had all sorts of issues due to my motherboard (Abit IX48-GT3) not being compatible with the HD 4870 X2. At first it was diagnosed as a faulty motherboard, so I got a replacement and the same happened again. Only then did I find out that the motherboard was incompatible.

Anyway I've just switched to a new motherboard (Gigabyte X48T-DQ6) and now I'm getting a signal to the monitor which I wasn't before.
The downside is that now my computer randomly powers off when booting up. I've had it manage to load Windows once (the first time I started it up), but it shut off about a minute later.

I'm not sure what kind of information you need. I'm running Windows XP and my PSU is 900w so it shouldn't be a power issue.
Whenever I try to do anything during startup (access BIOS, click something the one time Windows loaded up) it seems to trigger a shutdown, although it usually shuts down by itself before I get to that point.

Any help is appreciated.

[KingGorilla]

Take everything apart, unscrew the mobo, pull everything apart that you can, and put it together again. You may have aloose power connection, the mobo is not seated, etc.

[SpacemanSpiff757]

I'm with King on this one. It almost sounds like a loose connection somewhere. I had an issue like this on my old computer and it turned out the connection was bad, but for some reason it sounds like you might have a bigger problem. If you can, try getting into BIOS and check things out from there.

[Crittias]

I'll chime in and agree as well. Some sort of short or loose connection is almost definitely the culprit, based on what you're describing.

[Schnoogs]

Just send all your parts to me. ;)

[SilentScreams]

Ok, thanks everyone (except Schnoogs :p).
I'm in the process of taking it all apart again now.

[biosc1]

Can you possibly try another PSU? Could be a faulty PSU as well, not delivering the right amount of power.

...but most likely, either a loose screw causing a short or a loose wire...

Loose wires always happen to me...I'm always in such a rush to get the machine to the "post" stage.

Let us know how the 4870X2 works for you...I'm eyeing one myself at the moment.

[hunterx280]

I agree as well. I had a buddy one time who had a screw or something stuck under his mobo and it kept making the computer shut off. Amazingly enough, it didn't cause any permanent damage.

[SpacemanSpiff757]

Biosc1 has a good point. Check out the power supply as well. On my way back from class I was just thinking about something I read somewhere that some MoBo's come with odd settings in BIOS (like overclocking) which causes the power downs. So if you can get it up and running, go into BIOS and check all the settings/timings/whatever.

I recall a recent issue with my current computer as well where it wouldn't boot or POST, and it turns out when I updated the BIOS (as instructed to do) it was a bad copy of it and it shorted the whole system out.

[SilentScreams]

The only other PSU I have is a 400w from my old PC. I doubt that's enough for a PC like this to start with.
I've spent the best part of the evening trying all sorts. I've reassembled the thing, painstakingly double checking every connection and screw along the way and still the same problem.

I'm so frustrated right now. It's been about 3 and a half weeks since I sunk a hell of a lot of money into this system, and it's still not working.
I'm tempted to just send it to a repair shop and let them deal with it. More money down the hole.

[SpacemanSpiff757]

This really sounds similar to the problem I outlined with my current computer. Have you tried resetting the CMOS? When I reached the end with this computer I took it to the repair place and the guy told me that all he did was reset the CMOS and install a new BIOS and it has worked fine since.

[KingGorilla]

What really blows is that I doubt you have a Floppy Drive, so the boot disc that came with your MoBo is almost useless.

There is something seriously broken in one of your parts. And without a stable OS, hard to troubleshoot.

What exactly are the parts you are using? How many sticks of RAM are you using?

[biosc1]

The only other PSU I have is a 400w from my old PC. I doubt that's enough for a PC like this to start with.
I've spent the best part of the evening trying all sorts. I've reassembled the thing, painstakingly double checking every connection and screw along the way and still the same problem.

I'm so frustrated right now. It's been about 3 and a half weeks since I sunk a hell of a lot of money into this system, and it's still not working.
I'm tempted to just send it to a repair shop and let them deal with it. More money down the hole.

Yah, it really depends on the options you have.

It's either the:

Motherboard
PSU
RAM
Video card

(I doubt it's the hard drives, but that can be tested by running a bootable Linux disc)

So...You replaced the mobo, still a problem.

Can you reduce the RAM to just one stick?

Have a spare video card? Can you borrow one?

If you're still having an issue, and you're able to put a less powerful card in there, can you put the 400W PSU in and see again.

Have you also considered that the PSU may be fine, but some of the cables may be crap? Can really suck when it's just a faulty cable.

Basically, it's all about narrowing down the problems.

[SilentScreams]

I've tried a different video card, and the problem persists, so it's not that.
I've also tried reducing the RAM to one stick and tried each stick in all 4 slots.

So it's looking like a PSU or mobo issue. The PSU came with a whole bag full of cables, so I'll try switching a few around and see what happens.
I also didn't think of trying the 400w PSU once I'd put in a lower spec card. I'll give that a shot too.

[Johan]

The PSU came with a whole bag full of cables, so I'll try switching a few around and see what happens.

That doesn't sound like a good idea. :( I just recently swapped out my PSU and put in a 4850...I'd never messed with any computer before, and I was quite nervous about it. The PSU had so many cables, I thought for sure I would screw it up. The first boot up...nothing. Looked again, and I hadn't connected the MoBo securely. Second boot up...worked like a charm.

I hope you get it working!

[Alkanos]

Just to be safe, double check that the processor fan is seated right.

When I first built a computer, I didn't get it quite right, and had the same problems. Took it all apart, and realized that I didn't put the fan in quite how it was supposed to be. Took it off, put it back on right, and had no more problems. I'm assuming that the fan wouldn't start up, and the computer would shutdown to keep the processor from melting... :D As a side note, I absolutely hate installing those things, such a pain in the ass.

[biosc1]

Just to be safe, double check that the processor fan is seated right.

When I first built a computer, I didn't get it quite right, and had the same problems. Took it all apart, and realized that I didn't put the fan in quite how it was supposed to be. Took it off, put it back on right, and had no more problems. I'm assuming that the fan wouldn't start up, and the computer would shutdown to keep the processor from melting... :D As a side note, I absolutely hate installing those things, such a pain in the ass.

Actually, I was surprised how easy the Arctic Cooler that I installed last just clicked right in. I was actually thinking there must have been something wrong because it was too easy :D

[Spectre-7]

Speaking of fans, I once had an old one that was shorting out. It caused problems similar to this.

[KingGorilla]

I've tried a different video card, and the problem persists, so it's not that.
I've also tried reducing the RAM to one stick and tried each stick in all 4 slots.

So it's looking like a PSU or mobo issue. The PSU came with a whole bag full of cables, so I'll try switching a few around and see what happens.
I also didn't think of trying the 400w PSU once I'd put in a lower spec card. I'll give that a shot too.

Keep it up, do not give in to the dark side, Dell, Apple: quicker, easier, more seductive. Once you start down that dark path, forever will it consumer your destiny.

[Smoof]

What kind of PSU is it? It might be 900W, but wattage doesn't really matter on a PSU, moreso the amps on the rails and how consistent the power is. If it's a cheap-o PSU (Ie, you bought this 900W PSU for $50) then that would most likely be your problem.

[SilentScreams]

The PSU is a Tagan BZ900 and cost £120, so no, it's not a cheap one.

[GigaFuzz]

...Tagan...

Totally anecdotal evidence, but in my LAN group, we've had 3 or 3 tagans die recently.

Did you get a chance to try the other PSU?

[biosc1]

Totally anecdotal evidence, but in my LAN group, we've had 3 or 3 tagans die recently.

Did you get a chance to try the other PSU?

My Tagan died prematurely a couple of months ago (lived for less than a year)...was nice and quiet though (the reason I bought it)...then it was quiet for good...

Now I have a Corsair 450W (stupidly, now I'm looking at a 4870 and realizing the 450W I bought a few months ago just isn't going to cut it anymore :()

[SilentScreams]

It's alive!

I adjusted the CPU fan after noticing it had come loose. I know for a fact I put it in properly. It seems to be having trouble clipping on to the motherboard though, so I think it may have popped out without me noticing, as it was only very slightly out. Could that have been the cause?

Either way, I'm going to go and buy one that will clip on properly, as I don't think this one will hold for long.

[KingGorilla]

Shit heats up fast, if you do not have good contact with the sink and the chip, bad mojo.

When you clipped it back on, did you put fresh thermal paste on it?

[Zrikz]

CPU coolers are a weird thing..

I spent nearly $50 on a Zalman for mine and was not getting very good results. I figured bad mounting ,but after 6-8 remounts with no luck I gave up. Bought a $23 artic freeze 64 and now its 10-15C cooler than the Zalman and its a little smaller to boot.

Anyone wanna buy a AMD Zalman cooler? =/

[SilentScreams]

I didn't put fresh thermal paste on, but I will now you've mentioned it.

Everything seems to be working fine now. I put it through it's paces earlier on with Crysis and Far Cry 2 and it coped just fine.

Thanks a lot for all the help guys. I was at my wits end with this thing.
And to think in the end it was something so simple...

Let us know how the 4870X2 works for you...I'm eyeing one myself at the moment.

The card is excellent. It's a speed demon for sure.
Speaking of demons...it gets hotter than hell. The exhaust on the back of the card is heating my room right now.
I heard the new drivers let you play around with the fan speed though, so I'll check those out and see if they can cool it down a bit.

[biosc1]

The exhaust on the back of the card is heating my room right now.

That....that is a selling point for those of us in the colder, wetter climates :) Keep it running all night and come in in the morning to a nice toasty room.