1st build, 1st boot... big problem!

[zeroneleven]

After months of planning and preparation, I finally finished putting together my first build. After checking all connections, I powered up. The front panel LED's lit up, the fans started spinning, and the DVD drive made a typical spinning noise.

Within about 6 seconds, however, everything abruptly shut down. No beeps, no post, no monitor display. Two seconds later, without touching anything, the computer powered up again. Five seconds later, off again. Two seconds later... In other words, an endless reboot cycle.

So I went through a checklist, trying to pinpoint the problem. I disconnected one hard drive. Same result. Then both drives, then the DVD drive, then the fan controller. I connected the CPU fan directly to the mobo's CPU_FAN header, thinking the board was shutting down as a safety precaution when it didn't detect a CPU fan. I switched the 2x4 pin ATX 12V power connector with a 2x2 pin connector, since my board and PSU support both. Each time I got the same exact reboot cycle.

Then I decided to completely disconnect the ATX_12V power cable to the mobo, leaving only the main 24-pin power connected. Surprisingly, the computer powered up and didn't shut down! The problem is, nothing else happened. No beeps and nothing displayed on the monitor, even after re-connecting all peripherals. All components seem to work fine. The fans (and fan controller) work, the DVD drive opens, the HDD's idle. But nothing actually happens. I can't enter BIOS since it doesn't to post, or at least, nothing shows up on the monitor. When I plug the ATX_12V power back into the mobo... reboot cycle.

So that's where I'm at now. I'm sure there's tons of info on the net about issues like this, but every homebuilt system is different. I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I'm also really hoping it's not a faulty motherboard.

Here's the all-important spec list:

Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3P
Corsair HX-520W
Intel E8400 Core2 Duo w/ Ultima-90 heatsink
Asus EN7300GT
4GB GSkill DDR2
320GB WD SATA HDD
640GB WD SATA HDD
Samsung S203N DVDRW
3 fans w/ Rheobus Sunbeam 5.25" controller
CoolerMaster CAC-T05 case

 

[JasonSix78]

Try clearing the CMOS (have a look at your manual for instructions) and find out what voltage your RAM is suppose to be running at. If you can get into the BIOS, adjust the RAM voltages to GSkill's specs. Also, try running only one stick a RAM.

Be sure to check and see if you got your aftermarket heatsink latched down well. What kind of thermal paste did you use?

 

[Conger]

Did you screw your mobo directly into the case, or do you have it mounted above it? I just had that problem yesterday with my first build. The mobo touching the metal of the case was shorting it out, causing it to reboot endlessly.

Make sure you mount that mobo!

Other than that, I have no clue

 

[zeroneleven]

Yes, I had the mb mounted on brass standoffs that came w/ my case.

I tried clearing the CMOS by removing the battery for a minute. Then I tried the RAM module in another DIMM slot.

When that didn't work, I completely unscrewed the motherboard from the case and set it on the retail box. With only the CPU/heatsink/fan, video card, and RAM connected, I plugged the power in and shorted the power switch... and got exactly the same result. Continuous reboot.

When I get a chance, I'll reinsert the CPU and make sure the heatsink is attached properly. I used Arctic Silver 5 btw.

One more thing. All the CPU status LED's on the motherboard stay lit as long as the computer is on. According to the DS3P manual, the more LED's that are lit up, the higher the CPU load. Could this provide some clue as to the cause of the rebooting cylce?

 

[zeroneleven]

Some good news!

I was about to take off the heatsink and reinstall the CPU, but first I decided to try my other RAM stick in the first slot. Then I cleared the CMOS by shorting the jumper with a screwdriver. When I started it up, the Gigabyte logo came up on the monitor! After booting up, it said something like "enter system disk..." etc.

At this point the board is laying outside the case on the box. Only the CPU/HSF, video card and one RAM stick are installed. Nothing else. But it works!!!

I guess now I need to reinstall everything. I'll let you know how it goes..

 

[zeroneleven]

OK I may have it narrowed down to the memory. When I use only one particular stick of RAM (call it RAM1), it boots right up. I can enter BIOS and everything. If I add the other stick (RAM2), it gives me the continuous reboot cycle. However, if I use only RAM2, in any slot, it still gives me the same reboot problem.

I tried loading "optimized defaults" in BIOS, then installing both sticks. Reboot cycle, no post. Then I tried loading "fail-safe defaults". Same results. I tried the RAM in slots 1/3 and also 2/4.

This is the RAM I have (2x2GB G.Skill DDR2 800). It's supposed to be easily compatible memory. Voltage should be 1.8V-1.9V. The only relevant option I see in BIOS is DDR2 Over-voltage Control, which only allows you to overvolt (obviously). I just left it set to "normal".

Any ideas? Bad module possibly?

 

[imported_Jack Daniels]

First time poster Zeron11...If you can get into the BIOS with your one stick, can you set timing to 5-5-5-15? Bad module? Well I've heard that G.Skill is pretty easy with just about every mobo out there but there's always that 1 in a 100 chance that you got a bad stick. I'll be coming back here as this seems like a great forum for info...especially for my first build coming up. Good luck

 

[Cuular]

I'm going to vote for bad memory module. If module 1 works, by itself. And as soon as module 2 gets into the system in any configuration, the reboot cycle starts.

Yep I'd send it back and get a replacement.