New PC build, starts up, shuts down almost instantly..

[x3ro]

I'm trying to build a new PC for my brother. This definitely isn't my first, but this is the first problem I've encountered anything like this..

Core 2 Duo E6750
MSI P35 Neo2-FR
EVGA 8600GT PCI-e
Corsair ValueSelect 2x1gb DDR2 533

That's the parts I've put together so far just to check for boot up... What happens when I push the power button is that the PC whirls to life, but it seems like everything isn't getting enough juice or something. The fans are spinning very slowly, including the stock intel CPU fan. 5-10 seconds later, the machine just shuts off, then a couple seconds later, it will turn on by itself again.. Then off....... then on..... And so on.

So far I've swapped out PSU's (tried with an Antec TruePower Trio 650w, and a Silverstone 750w PSU)... Same thing with both of them. Exactly the same.

My only other though is that the motherboard is grounding out on the case, possibly? The case didn't include fiber washers, so I didn't use them.

PC's at home at the moment, and I'm at work, so any ideas you guys could give me for when I get home to try out would rock!

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Sounds to me like its grounding out as well, check under the board and make sure none of the brass standoffs are touching where they shouldnt be, ie that there are only standoffs where there are holes. If that isnt it then more than likely you have a toasted board. Not to knock it, but MSI doesnt have the best track record as far as reliability is concerned

 

[x3ro]

Would the fiber washers make any difference??

 

[chunkeydelight]

here i'm not the most knowledgable of people with this but i think a suggestion i would give is to try booting the computer and all outside the case to see if it works at all.... on top of that.. make sure u have the bare minimum hooked up for it to work obviously.... if it still gives u the same problem there's something wrong with the board... if it doesn't show the same results as in the case than the felt washers may do the trick... but this is only wut i would predict since my knowledge of this category is quite limited..... good luck

 

[XxPrOdiGyxX]

Originally posted by: x3ro
Would the fiber washers make any difference??

did you install the standoffs?

 

[x3ro]

I did install the standoffs myself. I know there's none on there that aren't under a hole. I was very careful, and the case only came with enough standoffs for as many holes as there were on the motherboard. I'll try assembling it outside of the case and see if that does anything.

 

[webada]

did you check the reset pin to see if they are in correct polarity?

 

[x3ro]

Alright guys,

Pulled EVERYTHING out of the case, and started over. Mobo sitting on the mobo box, cpu and hsf installed, vid card installed, ram installed, plugged in the power stuff, and shorted the power pins to start her up. She did the same thing, on, then right back off, then on again and purred... However, it still hung. It hung at a diagnostic thing saying the memory is either bad or not installed properly. Tried a single stick... Then same stick in a different slot....then a different slot.....then a different slot... Fine, tried the other stick. Same thing over and over.

Should I RMA the mobo, or the ram, or both?

 

[Clevee]

I acctually had the same problem with my build. I was so desperate to find fix it, i was playing counter strike on my home computer and was talking about my problem, someone in the server told me to take out a stick of ram. I tried it and my computer booted up perfectly... RMA'd the ram and didnt have that problem ever again. I'd say try and RMA the ram before anything... its very possible that you may have gotten two bad sticks.

 

[x3ro]

Thanks for the reply...

Anyone else? I'd hate to RMA just the RAM and have that not be the problem, you know?

 

[JimiP]

Originally posted by: x3ro
Would the fiber washers make any difference??

Yes. Certain boards need to be in contact with the screws in order to be properly grounded. I would remove the washers and then try to power on. If that doesn't work, take the motherboard out of the case completely and then try to power it on. If it posts, your problem lies with it's installation in the case.

Edit: After reading your more current messages, it would seem as though the motherboard itself is faulty. I would grab a completely different set of RAM and try booting with one DIMM. Another thing I would try is exchanging the graphics card with another known good one. If none of this works, I think it's safe to say that you need to RMA that board.

 

[x3ro]

News..

I picked up some new RAM on my way home from work, and now everything boots up fine.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[dbailey]

Just for the record, the fiber washers are not required ever. The metal screws connect the metal motherboard. That's metal on metal even if there is a piece of fiber.. the screw goes through the hole. right?