Problems getting new computer to boot

[jfreeman1974]

I just built a new system with A7N7X-E Deluxe w/Athlon XP 3200 400FSB. Sometimes when the computer starts up it says "Failed due to CPU overclocking". Sometimes it will boot up without giving me the fault. But in both cases the system shuts down after about 15 secs. It shouldn't be a cooling problem. I have a 80mm CPU and heatsink, a 120mm and 2 80mm case fans. I was originally using Infineon PC2700 but I bought some Kingston PC3200. Nothing changed. Any ideas?

 

[mechBgon]

If the system shuts itself down, then don't go any further until you've made positively sure that your heatsink is attached correctly in the proper direction and that you have either a fresh thermal pad or a fresh coat of high-quality thermal grease between the CPU core and the heatsink base. No shims, either. The auto-shutdown is usually a sign that the heat is not making it from the CPU to the heatsink properly, for one reason or another.

 

[jfreeman1974]

I put the thermal grease on the CPU core enough to cover the core. I don't want to put too much on it and get it on the bridges. When you say make sure the heatsink is attached in the proper direction I assume you mean the fan. It is spinning the right direction (pulling air away from the heatsink).

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: jfreeman1974
I put the thermal grease on the CPU core enough to cover the core. I don't want to put too much on it and get it on the bridges. When you say make sure the heatsink is attached in the proper direction I assume you mean the fan. It is spinning the right direction (pulling air away from the heatsink).

I mean it's attached like this, and not like this. See how the base of the heatsink (and the clip too) are not symmetrical. The correct direction is completely critical, so double-check your work on that Hope that helps.

 

[jfreeman1974]

That was it. Thanks

 

[landrews]

Here's another boot up question for you. I just bought at Soyo SY-K7VME barebones system. I purchased an AMD Athlon XP 2100+ CPU as was recommended. When I turn it on, the power supply comes on, the CPU fan comes on, the lights on the CD Rom and Floppy Drive come on as well as the power button lights. But nothing shows up on the monitor. I've disconnected as the peripherals and tried booting up and I get nothing on the screen. I cleared the BIOS, still nothing. I've checked the memory to make sure it's correct and installed correctly, still nothing. I've checked the jumper settings on the M/B. The only thing that I haven't done is switch CPU's, because I don't have another one. I removed the M/B from the case to see if it was shorting out, still nothing. Could it be a bad M/B or CPU?

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: jfreeman1974
I put the thermal grease on the CPU core enough to cover the core. I don't want to put too much on it and get it on the bridges. When you say make sure the heatsink is attached in the proper direction I assume you mean the fan. It is spinning the right direction (pulling air away from the heatsink).

Usually fans are mounted blowing air onto the heatsink.

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