Never come across a problem I couldn't solve, until now.

[Shogun117]

Hi all,

Bought new hardware today:

Gigabyte H55M-USB3
Intel Core i5 760
Gigabyte GTX450 1GB
4GB DDR3 1600 GSkill Ripjaws
Coolermaster Extreme 550W
160GB Western Digital Blue

I've been building PCs for a while, and have seen almost all the problems in the world, until now.

You see, when I power on the system, it stays on for 5 seconds, turns off, waits 5 seconds, then turns on again. And repeats that process forever.

I've isolated some of the problem to the graphics card. When it's plugged in the PCI-E slot with the PCI-E power cord, the problem occurs. Remove the power connector and suddenly the power stays on. Voila, sounds like a power supply problem right? Wrong.

I've fully tested the power supply on two different systems, and also used another (Corsair) power supply in the system, yet I still get the same problem.

Other failed 'solutions' include:

- Replacing the graphics card
- Moving the graphics card to the PCI-E 4x slot. Seems to keep the power on.
- Replaced memory
- Even isolated the system from the case, and booted by jumpstarting the pins
- Bought another motherboard. (Same model, same problem. How smart.)
- Clearing CMOS
- Removing the graphics card and using onboard graphics.

As you can see, I'm at my wits end. I'm starting to become suspicious of the CPU...it may be faulty (as uncommon as that is). When I finally did get the power stable, there would be no image displayed on the screen, and I used all different display ports on the motherboard. Could the revered i5 be faulty? I've never experienced this kind of thing before. Please help before I do something stupid and get an AMD. (No fanboy flames please)

 

[RavenSEAL]

Try a motherboard that isn't the same model? Not even the same brand maybe? From what i can say...its either the CPU or the MOBO...if a completely different MOBO fails...its gotta be the CPU.

 

[Shogun117]

In retrospect it was pretty stupid to get the same one. Trouble is, I'm outta funds to buy a diff mobo and no one I know has the time to lend me their LGA1156 mobo. Also this system is due to be done today. Something about being in a certain creek without a paddle. :\

 

[Ken90630]

You said, "Moving the graphics card to the PCI-E 4x slot. Seems to keep the power on."

If the problem were the CPU, how would moving the vid card to another PCI-E slot make the prob go away? Based on that, I'd rule out the CPU. Would you concur?

What you're describing is pretty weird (duh), but I'll throw out a few random thoughts:

1. Incorrect RAM voltage? You didn't specify which GSkill DDR3 1600 Ripjaws you ordered (there are several), but if you ordered these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-303-_-Product

then you'll need to adjust the RAM voltage in the BIOS because these are set to run at 1.65v and your mobo's default voltage is 1.5v.

2. As you know, i5 CPUs have onboard graphics and i5 systems don't require a separate video card. Is there something you need to adjust in the BIOS to 'tell' the system that you want it to run off the video card rather than the CPU's onboard graphics? Do you need to disable the CPU's onboard video? I haven't built an i3/i5/i7 system yet with a graphics card, so I dunno. Just thinking out loud.

3. Something amiss in the BIOS? (my bet)

4. If, as you say, the machine will stay on with the graphics card in the PCI-E 4x slot, can you go ahead and install Windows that way, then take the card outta the 4x slot, and let it BSOD or cycle on & off again and then check Event Viewer for a possible clue? (Or get the stop code from a BSOD.)

5. Is your home built on top of a sacred Indian burial ground? (Thought maybe you could use a little humor.)

That's all I got. I need to get some sleep so I can't follow this further tonight, but good luck. If you find the fix, post back & let us know what it was.