I've Tried Everything

[saturn2187]

I just got in the mail today the parts for a new PC from TigerDirect. I have assembled a computer in the past (about 3 months ago) and so I thought this might not be too bad. Once I finally had everything assembled as I thought correct, I hit the power button and lo and behold it started! I went into BIOS to tell my computer to boot from my XP Setup CD. This is now what it does. Once the computer finishes loading XP Setup, it brings me to that screen where you can either press R for repair of a drive or Enter to begin an installation. That screen only flashes for a second and then the whole PC powers down. I have tried everything, including complete disassembly and reassembly. Here is the barebones kit I got from TigerDirect .... http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2145956&CatId=0

I also got a 512MB HIS X1300 Pro video card PCI-E. I know that this is not the problem, nor is it drawing too much power because the computer does the same thing when I remove the card and use onboard video.

I have a NEC DVD writer drive and two sticks of 512MB PC3200 400MHz DDR Ram. One stick is Ultra and the other is PNY.
I am currently sitting with the parts laid on the table and only what is completely necessary for function hooked up. Waiting for your responses :( PLEASE HELP!!

[tempus]

I would start with the basics. Check the cpu fan and heatsink are properly installed. It sound like maybe an overheating issue. In the BIOS make sure all timing and cpu settings are set to default. Tyr to load windows with an out of case setup.

[saturn2187]

both fan and heatsink are properly installed we are now working with an out of case set up thats why were so sonfused

[Cricket]

I would try a different power supply first.

Then I would probably swap out the RAM or test what you have with Memtest86+.

Then test the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic utility.

Oh, that motherboard uses a ATi chipset? I don't have any experience with those and don't know what kind of peculiarities they have.

You might also want to try a different optical drive to install Windows with.

:) Cricket

[saturn2187]

We tried removing the CPU and re-setting it so I'm basically certain thats correct now. The fan is of the screw down variety so it can't be that.
I removed the Heat Sink and re-applied just a thin layer.
I set the BIOS to default settings.
I swapped out the RAM from the RAM with another computer.
I even used a different hard drive and a different optical drive to install Windows.
All of these things and the problem remains.

[Cricket]

That leaves the power supply, motherboard and CPU as likely suspects...what brands are the power supply and motherboard?

:) Cricket

[saturn2187]

its in the link from my 1st post

[Cricket]

Oh, it's got a Ultra power supply. I would try another power supply.

:) Cricket

[saturn2187]

is ultra that bad? its brand new.. maybe just faulty?

[Cricket]

The quality of Ultra brand power supplies is questionable. I wouldn't use them.

The motherboard is a genuine Intel so quality will be high.

Intel processors are pretty rugged and I don't hear of them failing too often.

That said, between the power supply, motherboard and CPU I would suspect the power supply before I looked at the motherboard or CPU.

:) Cricket

[saturn2187]

we just hooked up the whole system (out of box) to another power supply. I had to use the 20 pin molex versus the 24 but I read that should work fine and it seemed to in the regard that it acted no differently. Essentially, unless I've overlooked something, there remain only the CPU and motherboard. The computer booted and loads through the BIOS, does that not indicate a functional motherboard and BIOS? I could sit in the BIOS for an hour and it would not turn off but as soon as I try to begin loading windows, the PC shuts down.

[saturn2187]

Well we hooked up the out of box system to a seperate (350w) power supply and the same thing happened. I guess that leaves the CPU and motherboard. The thing is that I can sit in the BIOS for an hour and the computer wont shut down but as soon as I try to load/install Windows, the PC shuts down. How could this be the Cpu or motherboard then? I figured it was something that is activated once I try to start installing Windows. Any additional help? Thanks!

[Cricket]

we just hooked up the whole system (out of box) to another power supply. I had to use the 20 pin molex versus the 24 but I read that should work fine and it seemed to in the regard that it acted no differently.You really need to use a true 24 pin ATX 2.0 power supply to test with.

:) Cricket

[glc]

That motherboard may have the Intel name on it, but it's far from genuine. Intel farmed that one out to a really cheap manufacturer, it doesn't even have an Intel chipset. It is not a good board. Ultra power supplies are not good power supplies either.

Neither Ultra or PNY ram is on my short list either. You need to do your research before buying, not after.