why is this happening?

[N2gaming]

Greetings,

I have a question about my computer. I come home from work today and played UT-3 for just about 30 minutes which played just great btw, and then I shut down the computer and then get ready to go out for a couple of hours.

Well, I come home and turn on my computer and it doesn't start...it kinda starts, what it does its acts like it wants to start but just as it does start it reboots.

Just as soon as it starts to turn on I would say just at about 3 seconds after FIRST coming on it then reboots, over and over. Whats weird is I built this about 5 months ago without any problems (I've built many btw)

So what is this a sign of ??? hmmmm, I hope its not my freaking expensive power supply I bought...oh-well, I've had a crappy week so I might as well end it cappy too!

I didn't list my specs as I figure maybe someone could give me some suggestions as to what could be wrong first, but basically in a nut shell:

1) WinXP

2) Intel 6850

3) 2 500G SATA HDDs

4) 4 G DDR2 memory

5) one ide HDD

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

It could be your motherboard, I know some run into an endless boot cycle which can be rather annoying. The GA-P35-DS3R boards have a nasty habit of doing that and I believe some of the PK5s do too, but don't quote me on those.

I'd suggest going to your motherboard manufacturer's website and poking around their forum, their should be something useful their. Endless boot cycles are kinda a perminent thing though... :/

 

[JEDIYoda]

whats your power supply?

The reason I am asking is because for some people spending more than $50 on a PSU is expensive....

 

[oynaz]

I second Rhonda's opinion. I suspect the motherboard as well. I think you should do a few things.

1) disconnect all drives and all USB equipment.

2) Reseat everything else.

3) Check your power and reset switches. I have seen simple mechanical failures on these parts many times.

4) Clear the CMOS

 

[N2gaming]

Thanks guys for responding and I think the mobo that I have is the GA-P35-DS3R but I'll be
taking it apart in a few minutes and reset everything.

I hope its only the mobo as its only about 5 months ago when I rebuilt my gaming machine (I think) and if it is I gotta find one ASAP or it will be back to reinstalling everything once again on a new mobo!!!

 

[N2gaming]

Just opened it up and heres the poop!

my mobo is the GA-P35C-DS3R model, just the C is the difference.

I checked the PSU and its good and the memory is good so its gotta be the freaking mobo :

Heres whats on the inside:

mobo = Gigabyte, GA-P35C-DS3R

Power Supply = Antec: true Power Trio 650W

Memory = (4 Gig) 4 sticks of 1Gig Crucial "Ballistix" DDR2

 

[N2gaming]

Well, your right the GA-P35C-DS3R series mobos are VERY problematic. It seems
they are a very bad choice in mobos at least most. Also, mine seemed to live a lot longer then most...<sigh!>

 

[Davegod]

"just at about 3 seconds after FIRST coming on" I take it you mean after hitting power switch rather than loading windows, does it even make it to POST?

 

[N2gaming]

"just at about 3 seconds after FIRST coming on" I take it you mean after hitting power switch rather than loading windows, does it even make it to POST?

Sorry for the confusion, heres what happens. I hit the start button and then the computer starts its POST but as soon as 1-2 seconds pass it then reboots, like this:

hit start button, wait 1-2 seconds then reboot, then repeat, then repeat, then repeat, LOL

btw, I only hit the start button once maybe that is where I confused you. I have a great way of not putting down here what I am thinking.

 

[Jiggz]

If the system is OC'ed, try standard speed first and if the problem persists, it's either the PSU or mobo.

 

[N2gaming]

If the system is OC'ed, try standard speed first and if the problem persists, it's either the PSU or mobo

I don't OC at all as I run my computer in a very vanilla mode

 

[N2gaming]

Oops, I forgot to add that I picked up a new mobo already I got the ASUS P5K...good grief I hope this mobo last a while all I want to do is game...

 

[Davegod]

I'd still suggest following oynaz's steps. Then have another go using Gigabyte's Dual BIOS.

It's just a 20 min exercise which will mean you can much more easily get a refund for the Asus if it turns out the Gigabyte wasn't to blame after all.