Computer wont POST, shuts off...

[CRS6785]

Hi all

Heres the situation, I ordered the following parts and put them all together...

- Intel 925X Motherboard
- 3.4 Ghz Pentium 4 LGA
- 1GB (512x2) PC5400 DDR2 Corsair
- GeForce 6800 GT
- Antec 550 Watt TruePower PS
- NEC Dual Layer DVD Burner
- 74GB WD Raptor HD

Those are the main components, i disconnected the unessential peripherals. When I start up the computer, I hear the fans going and then about 10-15 seconds later the computer just shuts off. It doesn't even POST or give me any beeps. I did get the Intel splash screen the first time I tried starting it up before it shut down. I verified that the CPU heatsink is on correctly. All the push in tabs are in the locked position and it isn't moving anywhere. The CPU fan is spinning too, so thats a good sign as well. I reseated the heat sink and noticed that some of the thermal paste smeared off onto the processor.

I should also note that the board has a 24 pin ATX connector instead of the standard 20. I've read that the 20 pin connector will still work as long as I use the additional 1x4 pin connector and 2x2 connectors that they put on the board to make up for the difference. So thats what I did. I've also tried a 450 watt PS in it I got the same results though...computer starts up, no beeps or post, monitor goes on, then ten seconds or so later the computer shuts down.

So far I have done the following:
- Reseat heatsink
- Tried a different known working power supply
- Disconnected non-essential stuff

I just ordered an adapter for my 20 pin ATX connector on my powersupply so it will fit the 24 pin slot on the motherboard, so I should get that saturday to test that out.

Can anyone please give me some suggestions on what else I should be checking?

Thanks

 

[amdskip]

Try booting without the motherboard installed in the case. There could be a short somewhere. Also try 1 stick of memory instead of both and don't have any hard drives, etc. hooked up.

 

[CRS6785]

Ok, I was up till 4a.m. messing around with my computer heheh. I tried it out of the case, no luck there. I tried with 1 stick of RAM in, still no luck. I disconnected everything from the board. All thats there is the motherboard, processor and one stick of RAM. I get the same thing >< Computer powers on, no beeps or anything like a post, it goes about 20 seconds then shuts off. I even tried it with no RAM at all, should cause a beep right? Same result with that too. I've pretty much ran out of options, aside from RMA'ing the motherboard and/or processor. However, I did find a place near me that tests individual computer parts. He said I could bring it in and he would check which part is causing the problem for 25 bucks. Sounded like a pretty good deal...its not like i have an extra mobo with a LGA 775 socket on it just laying around lol.

Thanks much for your suggestions.

 

[MrChad]

Your thermal paste shouldn't "smear off onto the processor". You may have too much applied. You want an extremely thin layer (just enough to conduct the heat, but not enough to insulate the heat sink). Try reseating your heatsink again, and reapply the paste this time.

 

[CRS6785]

Hm...I don't have any on me. The heatsink came with the processor so I never touched it in the first place. There wasnt a lot on the processor, just a very thin layer. Would you reccomend that i remove the paste that came off on the processor and what should I use to do that?

 

[CRS6785]

Ok, I used an old credit card and scrapped the smeared thermal paste off. Reaseated heatsink and tried it again...same results I' just took it in to some place near my house where they check individual parts. Having them check the motherboard and CPU. I'm frustrated that I couldn't figure it out myself, but its not like I have a spare LGA motherboard and CPU lying around to test it, heh. The guy is only charging me $25 so its not too bad I guess.

Thanks again for the help all. Looks like its the waiting game to see what I have to RMA.

 

[Fin]

Sounds like a bad cpu.
-Fin