New HTPC unable to boot if connected to monitor via DVI or HDMI

quacked

Junior Member
Oct 6, 2011
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0
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So I followed the Small Form Factor Buyers’ Guide (Intel SFF HTPC) here on AnandTech and built myself a nice little HTPC:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4348/small-form-factor-buyers-guide/3

Antec ISK 300-65
Intel Core i3-2100T (2x2.5GHz, 3MB L3)
ASUS P8H61-I
DIMM DDR3 4GB 1333MHZ CL9 (2X2GB)
And an old 2.5" HDD I had laying around.

The problem:

If I hook it up through DVI to a 20" Dell 2007WFP monitor, the PC will not boot after being off for 5 minutes (CPU fan starts, case fan wiggles back and forth). If I restart or boot it after 1 minute it works. The same thing happens if I put the PC to sleep. When I try to wake it, it shuts itself off if the DVI cable is connected. I have no issues if VGA is used instead.

I also have this issue when I connect the PC through HDMI to my Samsung 32" TV (LE32B550), but not if I connect it to a Dell 23" monitor or a Benq 22" (both newer than the 2007WFP).

I suspected the PSU to be too faulty so I used a big 800 W and it worked fine. I then returned the Antec case (with its PSU) for a new one, but the new one has the same problem.

So I think I only have four options left:

1. Assume it's a faulty motherboard and return it for a new one.
2. Buy PicoPSU and hope that solves it.
3. Buy another motherboard and hope for a better match (even though the AnandTech buyer's guide suggested it).
4. Buy new TV (which I'm on the verge to do) and hope it works then.

Any ideas? :\
 

pauldun170

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2011
9,344
5,440
136
I don't agree with that guide

However for your issue...

Remove the board from the case and place it on cardboard or something that wont short it out.
Hook up the cables from the case and the power supply. Hook up everything else.
power it on.

If everything powers on - Try a different case

If problem still exists - disconnect the front panel usb header\audio\ esata
If everything powers on - Try a different case.

If problem still exists - Just exchange the motherboard.


I'd also return that i3-2100t. there is very little benefit over the standard i3-2100 when it comes to power consumption.
 

quacked

Junior Member
Oct 6, 2011
4
0
61
I noticed a clicking noise from the CPU area when the PC wouldn't boot. So I unplugged the CPU-fan and it was still there. Then I removed the CPU-fan and heat sink entirely, but the noise was still there. I found out that it goes away if I unplug the ATX12V connector though.

But what could be ticking near the CPU?