Startup Problem

[Who273]

I just built a new computer about a week ago. I ran fine when I got it together. Then yesterday, I installed a beta version of Vista that I got from my boss. Vista seemed to be working alright the only problem was that a couple times when using my computer it would randomly turn off. Then today it did it twice in a row and when I went to turn it on again all the fans and everything turned on like normal but I didn't get any signal to the monitor. I also noticed that the hard drive wasn't making the noise it usually did during startup and the keyboard's lights didn't turn on when pressing caps lock, scroll lock, or num lock. Now the computer won't even stay turned on. When I turn it on, it will turn on for a second then immediately turn off, then two seconds later turn on and then immediately off again. It just keeps doing that. After searching the forums, I thought it might be a short so I took everything out of the case and plugged in only the necessary hardware but the same thing happened. I noticed that when I unplug the 4-wired 12V plug that goes into the motherboard and start it, it stays on but still doesn't boot or output anything to the monitor. Any ideas?

Also, my specs are below.

E6400 2.13GHz Core 2 Duo
GA-965P-DS3
Seagate ST3250620AS 250GB
2GB Corsair OCZ
XFX 7900GT
Vista Beta 2

 

[mechBgon]

Sounds like a power-supply problem. Get a new high-quality power supply with adequate-to-overkill wattage. Use all the motherboard's power receptacles. Also make sure you hook up power to your video card if it has a receptacle for a power cord.

Welcome to the Forums

 

[Who273]

I got the CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX power supply when I built the system and it was working fine before, do you think it died already? It's got 520W and good reviews on New Egg which is why I think it's weird that it broke already, but I suppose the problem has got to be either the PS or the mobo.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Who273
I got the CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX power supply when I built the system and it was working fine before, do you think it died already? It's got 520W and good reviews on New Egg which is why I think it's weird that it broke already, but I suppose the problem has got to be either the PS or the mobo.

It could be something else too... if you want to try something else first, take the motherboard out of the case and lay it on a cardboard surface. Try starting it up with just the bare essentials: CPU & heatsink, memory, video card. No keyboard, no mouse, no drives, no extra cards, no case wiring except the Power Button wire to send the startup signal. Make sure you have your video card's power cable hooked up.

If it consistently starts and stays running like that, shut it down and hook up just the hard drive and try again. If that works, shut down and add the optical drive.

It doesn't seem likely that you'd have a short-circuit condition because that probably would've become evident sooner, but stranger things have happened