MSI x79A GD45 8D keeps restarting by itself

[pcgeezer]

Hello,

I recently bought the MSI x79A GD45 8D for a custom SBE build. I installed the components, and switched on. Unfortunately the computer kept on restarting every couple of seconds. I couldn't even get into the BIOS.

So I took out all the components, and just powered the motherboard by itself, just to see if it's the motherboard. I suspected it was the board, since the components I've been using for some months already on a previous board have been working perfectly.

Anyway, with everything taken out, and with just the power, the MSI x79A GD45 8D still keeps resetting itself. The blue lights on the motherboard light up, then it restarts after a few seconds. Over and over.

Do I have a faulty motherboard?

Thanks.

 

[Puppies04]

Could also be a faulty PSU, or a short somewhere. Try taking the MOBO out of the case and powering it up on a non condictive surface.

 

[pcgeezer]

Thanks for the reply.

It's definitely not a faulty PSU, since it works fine on my i3-2100.

I did manage to somehow get it to work a short time ago, so I plugged in all components, and it worked fine... for a while. Now it doesn't work again. Keeps resetting.

I'm thinking the PSU could be too weak for a Sandybridge-E setup?

 

[wsc4027]

The memory might cause this issue. Try to install one memory and switch on the power. If it work, install one more memory and switch on again.

 

[TheGoat Eater]

^^ yes - taking it down to the bare essentially is the best first step in trouble shooting - unplugging any extra devices other than the mouse and keyboard - then going down to one stick of memory in the socket that is stated for 1 DIMM in the guide. A few other things to also do - disable the psu via the rocker switch and pull battery and push power button... check all your cables for secure connections, then insert battery, turn on psu /bush power - if you can get me the information that you see on the cycling of the debug LEDs on the board I can help you better... also if you can list parts - I am confident I can help you nail down the cause. If you would like to PM me feel free

I have been working with MSI hardware for years testing it for MSI HQ and if I have any questions I sure know who to ask

 

[theDub]

I had the same issue. Last week just assembled with 16GB Corsair Vengeance RAM in a Quad channel config and it would not boot.

By swapping the modules config I got it to boot - it seems to be the quad channel config. Have it config'd in triple channel now and is booting but am getting some BSOD - havent quite figured this one out yet. Think it may be the older Geforce 220 GT graphics card I carried over from previous set up.