Computer reboots when overclocked

[imported_LoKe]

I had this problem a while back, I woke up in the middle of the night and my computer was turning on and off repeatedly. Sufficient to say, I was confused. Anyways, I turned it off and unplugged it and figured I'd take a look later. Turns out, the PSU ended up fried, so I replaced it. When I got the new PSU, I tried getting my overclock back, and every time I'd jack up the core voltage, my computer would reboot before even loading the OS (it would post just fine, as well as get past the page where you can enter the BIOS/etc).

Since then, I've replaced the processor, and added a couple sticks of ram. The only hardware that's the same as before are the motherboard and ram. I plan on taking out the old ram and just leaving in the new stuff to see what happens. If the problem persists, must it be the motherboard? What could be wrong with it?

 

[OdiN]

It could be that you are just trying to OC too high for the CPU/MB/RAM. I'd try with just the new RAM and see what happens. What kind of OC you talking about?

It's also possible that the PSU could have damaged some components on your board.

It might also just be that you're a Canadian, and nobody likes a Canadian.

 

[imported_LoKe]

Now I'm in a whole new world of fucked. I was converting a movie and everything just locked up (sign of unstable OC). I powered it off, reset the CMOS, then turned it back on. Everything spins up, case fans come on, etc, but nothing is displayed on either of my screens. Great. I'm leaning towards a fucked motherboard. I know it's not the ram, and I don't think it could be the processor.

 

[OdiN]

Unplug your PSU and let it sit for a while.

This is one reason why I don't OC much anymore Strange crap if the OC goes unstable after time.

 

[imported_LoKe]

Bah, it's the first OC on the chip and it was only 300x8

I took out the battery, unplugged it and I think I'll just go watch some T.V. and wait.

 

[imported_LoKe]

No go. Put the battery back in, plugged everything back in, still nothing. No post, AFAIK.

 

[imported_LoKe]

Tried it using one of my old motherboards. Used my old processor (E6300), old RAM, new PSU (which I don't think could cause this problem), same video card. No picture, no post.

As far as I can remember, the only time a computer will give up on POST is if it doesn't detect a video card. So that must be the problem.

 

[jkresh]

I recommend getting something like soyo's techaid debug card (its about $30), while it's now here near as good as a high end debug card it works ok and might tell you if its the gpu (plus its good to have if you run into problems later on).

 

[imported_LoKe]

THis is bullshit. The new video card showed up and I'm still having the same problem.

The only part that I'm using on both testing systems is the PSU, which is brand new and powers everything up just fine. How could this not be working?

 

[imported_LoKe]

Hm...both my motherboards are bad?

The problem can only be between three pieces of hardware:

Motherboard
Video card
PSU

I bought a new video card to replace the old one (8600GT replaces 7900GS). No go. Doesn't work in either motherboard.
I found an aold AGP card, tossed it into the ASRock hybrid...no go. At this point I'm especially confused since I know the card works.
I grabbed my parents Dell and used my PSU to power it...works.

It's gotta be the motherboard. Both of them, ironically.

EDIT: What would be a considerably cheap replacement for my motherboard ($140) that supports SATA2, PCI-E, DDR2 (800MHz), quad core and digital coax out?

 

[Slugbait]

Something tells me you're shorting the mobo on something, probably the tray. With my case I have to put a cover on protruding metal that is only there for if I decide to install a BTX board...known issue that if it's not covered, the ATX mobo will short out.

 

[imported_LoKe]

Originally posted by: Slugbait
Something tells me you're shorting the mobo on something, probably the tray. With my case I have to put a cover on protruding metal that is only there for if I decide to install a BTX board...known issue that if it's not covered, the ATX mobo will short out.

I wish it were that simple. However, there is no protruding metal, and the problem came out of nowhere as the computer was being used (ie. I hadn't touched/moved the case when it happened). Plus, the mobo I tested with was simply on a cardboard box, no metal in the area. Too bad, because that would have saved me a lot of trouble.