Is this a CPU problem or something else?

[Pr0d1gy]

When I power on my new rig, it will load up the BIOS/POSTS selection screen where you need to hit Delete to enter BIOS setup or TAB to enter posts. But then it just sticks there. I tried booting holding the insert key to go into a safe mode, but it did the same thing. I also unhooked everything but the mobo, CPU, RAM, & vid card, & it still did it. I have tried everything short of removing the CPU & redoing the Artic Silver 5 & reseating the heatsink & fan.

I did have a problem getting the hook on the heatsink to hold onto anything when mounting it to the CPU. I got the bracket to hold just fine, but for some reason that lever/hook thing wouldn't hold onto anything. Also I had a little problem when putting the motherboard into the case with the IO shield, and had to move it around on top of the mounting screw a little bit. I have yet to find one person who has had this kind of problem so I am completely stumped as to what it could be. Here's my system specs:

MSI Neo4 Platinum SLI
AMD 3500+
Patriot XBL 1gb
Gigabyte 6600gt
PC Power & Cooling 410w Silencer
Raptor 74gb
Benq 56x CD Rom

 

[Jeff7181]

Have you tried resetting the CMOS?

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Yeah, it doesn't take do anything. I tried the button & took out the battery for a couple minutes & nothing changed.

 

[Jeff7181]

You might wanna double check your CPU to make sure it's seated properly... you shouldn't have problem getting the heatsink "hooked."

*EDIT* If you have a camera and can take a picture of it, it could help us identify a possible obvious problem with the heatsink.

Will it boot into Windows? Or does it lock up during the POST whether you enter the BIOS or not?

**EDIT** My MSI motherboard has D-Bracket... with the 4 lights that give you a "code" that you look up in the manual to see where it's hanging... your's might too. Check that out.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

I can get the hook onto the retention bracket, but it just won't hold.

It won't even post. It can't get past the first screen, although there are no beeps now. It's very odd. I will pull the mobo out & cardboard it, then send some pics. Be back in a bit.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

OK you should be able to see what I'm talking about here (click on the picture to enlarge it):

CPU closeup

 

[Doctorweir]

Hmmm...is the RAM seated correctly? I don't know your board, but telling from the pic with the rams I think also with MSI you are supposed to fill the same-colored slots first to have dual channel operating correctly...maybe that also solves your prob...

 

[Pr0d1gy]

I'll give it another look, but they are hooked in so I think they are seated properly. As for if they're in the correct slots, I can't really say because the manual is poorly written. I will try some other slots for them though, just to be sure.

 

[Doctorweir]

Try to put the right DIMM (as of pic) into a turqoise slot (the left one) like the other DIMM.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Well I did the cardboard bench test & it booted right up & posted! I didn't mess with anything on the board so i can only assume that I had something hooked up incorrectly?

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Here's some pics:

general view of cardboard bench

Click on the pic & see the closeup...what should I do from here?

 

[Jeff7181]

Do you have D-Bracket? If so, check on that.

As far as the picture... I'd take the heatsink off and double check that your CPU is seated properly in the socket, and also take a close look at the heatspreader and make sure it's perfectly flat. I had a little trouble getting it to lock... looks like you're having the same problem. But I removed it, repositioned it, and then it locked just fine. I don't know if that has anything to do with your problem with it hanging during POST... but it's definately something you want to fix so that lever doesn't pop loose and the heatsink falls off.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy
Well I did the cardboard bench test & it booted right up & posted! I didn't mess with anything on the board so i can only assume that I had something hooked up incorrectly?

Well the "cardboard test" would eliminate problems with the motherboard shorting out against the case. Are you using the proper standoffs to install it in the case?

 

[Doctorweir]

I still insist on changing the DIMM socket

Is your CMOS Jumper set to normal operation? Have you tried to reset using the jumper? You said you just popped out the battery...

Can you get into BIOS from there?

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Well the "cardboard test" would eliminate problems with the motherboard shorting out against the case. Are you using the proper standoffs to install it in the case?

I'm using the brass standoffs that came with the case. They are the typical type, where you have the ones that screw into the case & a rubber washer & another similar screw for the top side of the mobo. I screwed these down into the other mounting screws with the washers, but only had 5 of the top ones, while there are 6 bottoms in the case wall. I hope you understand what I meant by that. I have 6 standoffs in the case pre-tightened, and only 5 loose ones to use when putting the mobo in along with the washers. It is also possible the IO shield is causing the problem, but the mobo is recognizing my CPU so that's a good sign that they are fine & most likely it was a short, correct?

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Originally posted by: Doctorweir
I still insist on changing the DIMM socket

Is your CMOS Jumper set to normal operation? Have you tried to reset using the jumper? You said you just popped out the battery...

Can you get into BIOS from there?

I should be able to, but I wanted to show you guys the pics first & ask what i should do. Better safe than sorry at this point. I guess I will try my PS2 keyboard & see if I can get to BIOS with it....?

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Doctorweir
I still insist on changing the DIMM socket

Is your CMOS Jumper set to normal operation? Have you tried to reset using the jumper? You said you just popped out the battery...

Can you get into BIOS from there?

I agree, change where the DIMMs are... but not to the same color... populate the first two slots closest to the socket. Here's a picture of mine, granted it's an NF3, but should work the same...

see where mine are? Put your's there too.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Will do. Any ideas on what the problem was considering it is working fine outside the case? Maybe an IO shield short?

 

[Doctorweir]

Quote from MSI Manual:

"Always insert the memory modules into the GREEN slots first, and
it is strongly recommended not to insert the memory modules into
the PURPLE slots while the GREEN slots are left empty"

Go for it

 

[Jeff7181]

There's not a lot of things for the I/O shield to short out unless you've rigged it up to fit. Not saying it's not that... just saying it's not as likely. Try it back in the case and see what happens.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Doctorweir
Quote from MSI Manual:

"Always insert the memory modules into the GREEN slots first, and
it is strongly recommended not to insert the memory modules into
the PURPLE slots while the GREEN slots are left empty"

Go for it

*scratches head* I wonder if that's why I've been having weird overclocking results... I AM running in dual channel the way I have it though... verified in info programs and memory bandwidth results.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
There's not a lot of things for the I/O shield to short out unless you've rigged it up to fit. Not saying it's not that... just saying it's not as likely. Try it back in the case and see what happens.

Should I screw it back down to the case then? Should I use the IO shield as well or save it for after?

 

[Jeff7181]

Yes... both. =) And I guess take Doctorweir's advice on where to put the RAM... I'm going to try it in the green slots later too and see if that solves my problems.

*EDIT* I put mine the way I have it cause on the board it says the Green slots are Channel A and Purple are Channel B... so I figured I'd want one stick in each channel.

**EDIT** I took that section in the manual to mean if you have one stick of RAM, put it in a green slot, not a purple... and if you have 3 sticks, two in the green and one in the purple.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Originally posted by: Doctorweir
Quote from MSI Manual:

"Always insert the memory modules into the GREEN slots first, and
it is strongly recommended not to insert the memory modules into
the PURPLE slots while the GREEN slots are left empty"

Go for it

Good point man, I will do that.

 

[Doctorweir]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: Doctorweir
Quote from MSI Manual:

"Always insert the memory modules into the GREEN slots first, and
it is strongly recommended not to insert the memory modules into
the PURPLE slots while the GREEN slots are left empty"

Go for it

*scratches head* I wonder if that's why I've been having weird overclocking results... I AM running in dual channel the way I have it though... verified in info programs and memory bandwidth results.

Whoops, sorry...the manual really IS confusing... You should be fine with green and purple mixed, as green is channel A and purple channel B...don't understand the "fill green first" recommendation now...

<= also scratches head...with my Asus I'm fixed to matching colors and DIMMS apart from each other to get dual channel