Shuttle MN31N odd problem... HELP HELP!!

[homestarmy]

So I tried to install this board with a 2600+ Athlon (333FSB). All components used have been tested to work, and the Antec PS is BRAND NEW.

When I go to start it up, the light on the board that indicates the processor is over the temp limit lights up and shuts off power to the board. The HS/F is installed properly with Arctic Silver, and the fan is plugged in. I then tried to install ANOTHER one of these boards, exactly the same, and had the same problem basically. Also, I accidentally tried to connect it without the extra +12v connector and then it would keep power, but no video. I tried it both with and without an AGP Radeon 9000.

There are no beeps (speaker connected) or any type of video signal at all... any idea on what is going on here?!

 

[o1die]

Be sure the heatsink fan is plugged into the correct 3 pin header on the mobo. You should try getting it to post out of the case, on the box the mobo came in. Remove the mobo battery for a few seconds to reset the bios. Then use one stick of memory, no video card, and the cpu/heatsink. Connect the 20 pin atx plug, 4 pin 12v, power switch lead, monitor, and case speaker lead. It should post or give you some beep codes.

 

[homestarmy]

The fan was definately connected into the correct header, the one labeled FAN1 that is right next to the CPU.

 

[BeanDip]

I just bought one of these boards and had the same thing happen.

It looked as though the HSF was seated properly but when I took it off the thermal grease did not have a mark on it from the processor.

I reversed the HSF around (which sucks because the clip hits the PS) and it it does make full contact now and boots.

Thankfully the board has the CPU temp shutdown or I might have fried my 2500+

 

[mechBgon]

Here's what you want: link, click me And yep, this means you gotta have the heatsink's stepped end (and the clip's screwdriver-friendly end) facing the top edge of the board, which is not convenient. But it's very important. Hope that helps!

 

[homestarmy]

I understand that it is how you need to have it installed... I hear that everytime I have a problem. But thanks though.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

What ram are you using?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

BTW, If you haven't done so already, unplug the system, set the CMOS jumper to clear, hit the power button a couple of times, pop the battery, wait 5mins, then replace the battery, set the jumper back to default, plug it in, and try booting again.

 

[mechBgon]

The fact that the CPU-overheat LED is coming on certainly is cause for concern. Trying to override it by removing the ATX12V power cable is not a good idea, and could nuke the CPU by preventing an emergency shutdown from taking place when it needs one (edit: ok, I see you did say "accidentally" )

What exact heatsink/fan unit are you using?

 

[homestarmy]

Well the CPU works in another machine (where it is currently running) so I don't see any real problem.

I didn't try to 'override' it, when I installed the second board, I accidentally forgot to attach the extra 12v, I am used to boards that don't need it. It just happened to stay on. That lets me know that there is no real heat issue, it was left on with power for long enough to fry the CPU if there was a real problem.

This is the HS I am using....

BTW, I am using cheap ram, but there is a light next to the ram and it is going green...

 

[mechBgon]

The light next to the RAM means that the RAM is getting power, not that it's working Is it at least PC2700 memory?

And the end of the heatsink's clip that has a screwdriver receptacle is facing the top edge of the motherboard, correct? Just checking... it's not inconceivable for Thermaltake to put the clip into the heatsink backwards :roll:

 

[homestarmy]

Well from the manual (don't have it in front of me) I thought it was a diagnostic light and would be red if there was a RAM problem. The ram runs stable past 166MHz.

I removed the fan from the HS/F and the clip has been flipped around, so it can be accessed from the other side, then replaced. It still holds just the same as if it was faced the other way. There's enough force holding it onto the chip to where I could pick up the mobo by it (not that I would).

 

[homestarmy]

BTW, if I'm up to screwing around with it tonight, I will try another HS/F I have sitting around that has screwdriver ports on both sides (its a speeze).

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: homestarmy
Well from the manual (don't have it in front of me) I thought it was a diagnostic light and would be red if there was a RAM problem. The ram runs stable past 166MHz.

I removed the fan from the HS/F and the clip has been flipped around, so it can be accessed from the other side, then replaced. It still holds just the same as if it was faced the other way. There's enough force holding it onto the chip to where I could pick up the mobo by it (not that I would).

No no no no! :shocked: The clip MUST be oriented the right way, it's asymmetrical for a reason! If you put the clip in backwards, the pressure point is not over the CPU core and the result is an overheat situation... just like you're experiencing now. Put it in the right way.

The LED by the memory is only to tell you that the RAM is getting live power, so you don't pull out memory while the board is in hibernation rather than fully shut down.

 

[homestarmy]

Gotcha... why the hell don't they put the screwdriver holes on both sides?