Hmm...

[zsdersw]

Well.. with the arrival of my video card, I have all the components to get my new computer running (E6300, Gigabyte DS3 965 motherboard, etc.).

I turn it on.. and the power comes on, then turns off... comes on, turns off. The cycle was perfect.

Removed all accessories (hard drive, dvd burner, card reader, front usb ports), turn it on.. same thing.

Used only 20 of the 24 pins of the main ATX power plug... same on/off cycle.

Removed the 4-pin ATX-12V power plug... turns on... stays on.

Removed CPU, plug in 4-pin ATX-12V power plug... turns on... stays on.

My first instinct was something with the power supply. I threw it in another computer (one that doesn't use the extra 4 pins of the main ATX power connector but does use the 4-pin ATX-12V connector.. a P4 2.6C system).. and it works fine.

My second (and, unless somebody can tell me different, final guess) is that it's either something with the OEM E6300.. or something with the motherboard.

Suggestions? Thoughts?

Thanks

 

[TC10284]

I would make sure that your CPU heatsink is seated properly if you have not already. It could be powering on and then right back off because it is overheating.

If that does not help, it would seem to me to be a hardware issue. Which could possibly be the CPU or motherboard.

 

[zsdersw]

The heatsink is a stock Intel HSF from a Celeron D 346 (which should be plenty sufficient for an E6300).. and I'm pretty sure it's attached properly.. the clips snapped when I pushed them down.. it's attached like every other Intel LGA775 HSF I've used.

I think I'll borrow a CPU from work and see what happens.

.. but thanks for the reply.

 

[NMDante]

You could be shorting the motherboard from behind.

Double check your standoffs and make sure you don't have an extra one touching any connections.

I had that problem once, and found that it was a standoff just barely touching a capacitor line. Once I removed it...*poof* working computer.

 

[TC10284]

Right, I understand that is sufficient. My point was that in my experience, sometimes they can be a little difficult to clip on. But if you are sure it is clipped down properly, then you are good to go as far as that. I meant overheating as in, not seated properly.

Anyway, yes, I would try a CPU from your work and see if your system will POST then. If not, most likely it is the motherboard.

 

[zsdersw]

Well, a different CPU resulted in the power staying on... but no beep, no POST. I have an RMA through newegg for the motherboard. I'll get it sent back tomorrow. Hopefully.. by the time this is all done, I'll have my retail E6600 to go with the replacement motherboard.

By the way, thanks for all the replies, everyone.

 

[vhx]

What kind of RAM do you have? The GA-965P-DS3 boards have a problem with any RAM at 2.0V or higher. Make sure your RAM is 1.9V. Also some reports of Cas Latency 4 being incorrectly detected as CL3.

Also make sure you have the latest BIOS.

 

[zsdersw]

Well, the RAM I have is 2.1V.. but a reviewer of the board on newegg has the same RAM that I do and his is working.

I'd love to update the BIOS, but I can't even get it to POST.

But if it is a RAM issue, what P965 board wouldn't have a problem with 2.1V DDR2-800 Cas-4?

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: zsdersw
Well, the RAM I have is 2.1V.. but a reviewer of the board on newegg has the same RAM that I do and his is working.
I'd love to update the BIOS, but I can't even get it to POST.

That's because he's running it with a Pentium. You'd be better off buying an 805D, to use to update the BIOS. That way, you'd also have a spare socket 775 chip, if you ever think a problem you're having is processor related.

edit: Of course, it would be cheaper to buy this stick of 5-5-5-15 RAM first: G.Skill PC2-5400 for $34.99

 

[zsdersw]

Alright. I just bought a stick of RAM ($28) that's on Gigabyte's supported memory list for my motherboard. It'll determine what, if anything, needs to be RMA'd.

I can borrow a CPU from work for testing purposes.

 

[Keysplayr]

It actually sounds like your power button is stuck. LOL.

 

[zsdersw]

If only it were that simple

 

[vhx]

What brand and voltage is the RAM?

 

[zsdersw]

The RAM I originally bought was a 2GB kit, Patriot 2.1V DDR2-800 CL4.

I sold it on eBay yesterday and used the money to buy a 2GB kit of DDR2-667 CL5 that's at the all-important 1.8V. It's listed on Corsair's site as being compatible with the DS3 mobo.

I also verified that it was the RAM that was causing my problem. I bought a cheap stick of Gigabyte-qualified 256MB DDR2-533 just to get the system running so I could flash the BIOS to the F3 version. I fired it up with that stick of RAM and everything worked.

Once I get the 2GB kit, I'll officially decommission my old computer and start on the new one. It's such a relief to know that all the hardware is gonna work.

I can *certainly* live with the OEM E6300 until my retail E6600 arrives.. whenever that is.