I have just attempted to build a P4 with MSI 915G COMBO and ATI X800 PRO. ALL appropriate plugs are connected (vid card, +12v cpu, atx 24 pin, etc). Ram is installed. Brand new Enermax Liberty 500w. Here is the issue: PSU and vid card (fans) spin up for about 10 seconds, then immediately cut power and everything stalls. I am able to get a video siganal because I can see the MSI splash screen. Also, no POST beep. Help please. $800 bucks spent for a paperweight.
UPDATE: I checked out the Intel support site. I was going to RMA the CPU. But then I saw a notice saying I should update the BIOS. So today 5/10/06, I ordered a floppy drive. I will keep posting updates on this.
UPDATE #2: 5/24/06. I have received my new floppy disk drive. Apparently, I can get power to the new floppy drive. When the machine powers up, I can see the green light on the floppy disk. But then I get the same problem. The machine cuts power almost immediately. The longer I leave the machine off, the longer it stays on when I try to power it up again. But it never stays on long enough to go into BIOS or POST, then all power shuts off automatically. I have tried different power cables, tried plugging directly into the wall without surge protector. All with the same result. This happened before with the same CPU on a different BRAND NEW motherboard. I don't think it's the CPU though because I can't even get to POST. Also, no error beeps.
UPDATE #3 6/8/06. Here is an update I posted at annoyances.org
Ok, pulled out RAM and Video Card. Only thing in there is the CPU with heatsink. Also, I have a D-bracket plugged into the 9pin "USB 2" jumper plug. When I switch on the machine same thing happens. PSU fan and heatsink spin up for about 6-7 seconds and then power cuts out immediately to everything. About the shorting out of the board, I only have this thing screwed to 4 mounts, should I use all mounts? I had the shorting problem before when mounting with more than 1 screw in each corner. I dont think it is a shorting problem though because NONE of the D-Bracket lights come on at all. It doesnt initialize at all. So, would that tell me it was a faulty motherboard? I am supposed to get 4 red lights on the D-bracket when the CPU fails. This would be the second mobo from 2 different manufacturers. Should I get another CPU to test or another mobo straight away.
UPDATE #4 6/9/06
OK, I put the D-bracket in the wrong jumper plug.
MSI showed me the error of my ways and that was there reply...and this was mine back to them:
Sometimes, just before it shuts off, the cycle gets to "Testing Base and Extended Memory" (2 left red (LEDs 1&3)but it does not hang here. Most of the time it just hangs at "Testing RTC" before cutting power as described before.
End User 06/09/2006 Ok, Installed memory. Got the D-bracket working. Only 1 stick of memory installed. I think the other was bad. The D-bracket starts to cycle through now, gets past 4 red LEDs. About 5 seconds in, DBracket hangs at "Testing RTC" (#4 LED only RED) for four seconds and then quickly flashes 4 red LEDs then quickly cuts power.
A bad memory stick made the Dbracket hang at 4 RED LED.
That tells me it was not the CPU because it gets to the MSI splash screen, I can get video apparently.
What does a hang on "Testing RTC" mean? Bad CMOS battery? This board was manfactured in July of 2004. Purchase March 2006. Static Electricity from sitting on the shelf so long?
Any thoughts people?
UPDATE: I checked out the Intel support site. I was going to RMA the CPU. But then I saw a notice saying I should update the BIOS. So today 5/10/06, I ordered a floppy drive. I will keep posting updates on this.
UPDATE #2: 5/24/06. I have received my new floppy disk drive. Apparently, I can get power to the new floppy drive. When the machine powers up, I can see the green light on the floppy disk. But then I get the same problem. The machine cuts power almost immediately. The longer I leave the machine off, the longer it stays on when I try to power it up again. But it never stays on long enough to go into BIOS or POST, then all power shuts off automatically. I have tried different power cables, tried plugging directly into the wall without surge protector. All with the same result. This happened before with the same CPU on a different BRAND NEW motherboard. I don't think it's the CPU though because I can't even get to POST. Also, no error beeps.
UPDATE #3 6/8/06. Here is an update I posted at annoyances.org
Ok, pulled out RAM and Video Card. Only thing in there is the CPU with heatsink. Also, I have a D-bracket plugged into the 9pin "USB 2" jumper plug. When I switch on the machine same thing happens. PSU fan and heatsink spin up for about 6-7 seconds and then power cuts out immediately to everything. About the shorting out of the board, I only have this thing screwed to 4 mounts, should I use all mounts? I had the shorting problem before when mounting with more than 1 screw in each corner. I dont think it is a shorting problem though because NONE of the D-Bracket lights come on at all. It doesnt initialize at all. So, would that tell me it was a faulty motherboard? I am supposed to get 4 red lights on the D-bracket when the CPU fails. This would be the second mobo from 2 different manufacturers. Should I get another CPU to test or another mobo straight away.
UPDATE #4 6/9/06
OK, I put the D-bracket in the wrong jumper plug.
MSI showed me the error of my ways and that was there reply...and this was mine back to them:
Sometimes, just before it shuts off, the cycle gets to "Testing Base and Extended Memory" (2 left red (LEDs 1&3)but it does not hang here. Most of the time it just hangs at "Testing RTC" before cutting power as described before.
End User 06/09/2006 Ok, Installed memory. Got the D-bracket working. Only 1 stick of memory installed. I think the other was bad. The D-bracket starts to cycle through now, gets past 4 red LEDs. About 5 seconds in, DBracket hangs at "Testing RTC" (#4 LED only RED) for four seconds and then quickly flashes 4 red LEDs then quickly cuts power.
A bad memory stick made the Dbracket hang at 4 RED LED.
That tells me it was not the CPU because it gets to the MSI splash screen, I can get video apparently.
What does a hang on "Testing RTC" mean? Bad CMOS battery? This board was manfactured in July of 2004. Purchase March 2006. Static Electricity from sitting on the shelf so long?
Any thoughts people?
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