Having Troubles

[qbrms]

Alright, I just bought a new motherboard, cpu, and 512MB of RAM. I hooked it all up okay, but when I went to turn the computer on, it started up and stopped after about 5 seconds.

Does anybody have any idea what it is. I can't get my computer started up.

 

[Green Man]

The most common cause is that the CPU fan isn't plugged into the correct fan header on the motherboard. If BIOS doesn't see fan RPM it will shut down in a hurry. The other common cause is an incorectly mounted Heatsink causing the the CPU to quickly overheat. You might want to check those two things.

 

[Adam7]

whats the proc and mobo

 

[Looney]

What do you mean it stops after 5 seconds? Has it gone through all the POST yet? Is it freezing just before it loads the OS?

 

[qbrms]

Well, you will have to forgive me, I am somewhat ignorant of these things. Not completely, but enough to give you problems helping me.

The heatsink would be the thing that goes below the fan, right?

If that is what the heatsink is, then yes, it is on correctly. Unless it is possible for you to put it on backwards (can you do that?). But as far as I can see, it is on correctly.

The fan is plugged in correctly.

Let me, at this time, also point out that my power supply is only 250 watts. Does this sound like it would be a problem. The symptoms would fit the bill of a lack of power.

My computer starts up, and after about 5 seconds, everything stops. It just shuts off.

 

[qbrms]

This is kind of important.

Anybody have any ideas?

 

[Green Man]

If that is what the heatsink is, then yes, it is on correctly. Unless it is possible for you to put it on backwards (can you do that?). But as far as I can see, it is on correctly.

If it's an Athlon processor, its easy to put it on backwards if you're not careful. One end of the heatsink has a cutout to clear the step in the socket. That could account for the problem.

Let me, at this time, also point out that my power supply is only 250 watts. Does this sound like it would be a problem. The symptoms would fit the bill of a lack of power.

To test this, you could unplug all hard drives and CD/DVD drives. Even a 250W P/S should be able to power up the system if it doesn't have the extra draw from the drives.

Do you get any beeps? One short beep is normal, but any series of beeps could lead you to the problem.

What CPU and mobo?

Oh, and another common cause for this would be a short. If you are using metal standoffs to mount the mobo to the case, make sure there aren't any where there shouldn't be. Make sure there are no bare wires. Make sure the power cable is plugged securely into the mobo. Unplug the ide cables from the drives...I once had a bad hard drive cause a system to do that.

 

[qbrms]

I don't get any beeps.

I tried to start it up without the drives. When I did the light under the power button, which should be green, was red! And it still shut off.

Heatsink was on the right way.

The processor is an Athlon 2400+ XP.

The motherboard is a Biostar M7VIG.

Any more ideas?

 

[Green Man]

Take the motherboard out of the case, and lay it on the box that it came in. Have only CPU and RAM installed and connect power supply. Plug in the power supply and then turn it on. Jump the 2 pins for the power switch connector. Does it turn on and stay on? If not, you have it narrowed down quite a bit. If it does, turn off the power supply switch and plug the vid card in, connect a monitor and try it. Now what happens?

 

[qbrms]

No, it doesn't stay on, it is the same thing.

 

[Green Man]

Is the Power supply known good? If so, you have an RMA situation. Call the place that you got the CPU, motherboard, and RAM from and see how they want to handle it.

 

[qbrms]

Yes, the power supply is okay. In fact, I am using the power supply to type this message.

But what is RMA?

 

[jackschmittusa]

RMA = return merchandise authorization

 

[qbrms]

What do I need to return? The whole lot of it?

 

[mechBgon]

The M7VIG doesn't support 2400+'s, I don't think... checking...

 

[mechBgon]

I was wrong, it does support it according to Biostar's site.

The two reasons that I can see for the system starting and then shutting itself off completely are:

1) Maybe your case's power button switch is internally stuck in the "pushed" position. Your motherboard would see the button remaining pushed (so it thinks) and take that as a signal to shut down, just as it should. Test: unplug the case's wiring from the motherboard's pins and use the tip of a screwdriver to momentarily trip the motherboard's Power On pins.

2) The CPU is overheating because it can't make proper contact with your heatsink. Most common causes: reversed heatsink (or clip); a shim between the CPU and heatsink (unnecessary); no thermal compound filling the microgap between the CPU and heatsink (use high-quality thermal paste such as Arctic Silver 3 or Arctic Alumina); or forgetting to take the plastic cover slip off of a pre-installed patch of thermal compound.

I hope that helps you out. What power supply are you using (brand & model)? Something respectable, I hope... this ain't your father's Celeron system or something

 

[qbrms]

Sorry, upon further inspection, I actually bought a PC Chips 810LR not a Biostar.

I was looking at buying both of them and forgot which one it was that I did buy.

 

[mechBgon]

Ok, let me do a check on that one, it could be that it just isn't ready for a 2400+... be right back with the info.

 

[mechBgon]

Darn, looks like the board is not built to take any of the 266MHz-based AMD chips, if this is correct: specs at one vendor's site showing that it only supports CPUs with 200MHz bus speeds, such as Durons and older Thunderbirds. Can you return the motherboard for credit towards the Biostar, maybe?

Also, I suggest getting a well-respected brand-name power supply of at least 300W, such as Enermax, Sparkle Power, Antec, Heroichi or Enlight.

 

[qbrms]

The power supply is a Sparkle 350W (I just got a new one).

How do I trip the pins?

Thermal compound was pre-applied and I did take the sticker off.

 

[mechBgon]

See my post just above, it looks like a no-go. The motherboard isn't built for any of the recent CPUs.

Glad to hear you've got a good power supply, that is a good foundation.

 

[qbrms]

You're telling me that they sold me a motherboard-cpu combo that wasn't even compatible!!!

Needless to say, I am beyond pissed.

 

[mechBgon]

Yeah, at first I was trying to find the 810LR at PCChips' web site and they don't even list it anymore If you wanted another alternate suggestion, and have room for a full-sized ATX motherboard with no onboard video, there's the ECS K7S5A and K7S5A Pro (Pro has USB 2.0 ports on it). Both of them have slots for PC133 memory as well as slots for DDR memory (can't run both types at once, naturally). These are below $60 and are sort of plain-vanilla. Some people dis them as not being as statistically reliable as bigger-name boards like Asus. My own K7S5A is still chugging along after a couple of years, though.

 

[qbrms]

I just called the Tech Support/RMA people and they told me I should try to change the cpu speed on the BIOS setting?

What are they talking about?

 

[qbrms]

For example, what is BIOS?

And would this even work?