Big Problem with EVGA 8800 GTS

[Kayoto]

Hi everyone, I posted here awhile ago stating that I was having trouble with installing my 8800 GTS. Everytime I do, the computer doesn't recognize it at first (doesn't disable the onboard GPU like it's supposed to when something is installed in the PCI-E slot) and then my computer continually tries to keep rebooting and crashing before anything is even displayed to the monitor.

I was told that the problem was my power supply -- a 500W Ultra V-Series. I've recently installed a 700W Fortron Source PSU and the problem is still persisting (the system ran fine even after swapping the PSUs, but BEFORE installing the card).

I need serious help here. I don't know how to get this card to work. Specs are as follows:

Thermaltake ATX Case
Gigabyte GA-965G Mobo
EVGA 8800 GTS
700W Fortron Source PSU (30A per rail)
E6600 Intel Core 2 Duo
250GB Hitachi IDE HD
IDE DVDRW drive

Please help! I'm very lost, this is the first computer I've ever built.

[Kayoto]

Ugh.. even with the 8800 GTS taken out, the system starts and gets to windows but doesn't last very long before crashing. I don't think I installed the PSU incorrectly or anything.. I'm totally lost now. Can anyone help?

[Kayoto]

Even after reinstalling the old Ultra V-Series PSU that I had in there before (the system ran perfectly fine with it), no 8800 GTS installed, and CMOS settings cleared, it continues to crash shortly after Windows boots up (complete shutdown, no warning).

[kamikazi_tom]

Alright, I'm trying to figure this out here. You've tried a different PSU, same problem, we'll rule ou the PSU. Am I correct in assuming that you reach the POST screen? Sometimes rebooting can be cuased by overheating, are you sure yourheatsink is installed properly? There could be many problems here, so i'll try to help you through them one at a time. First:

Tell me if you reach POST screen (with onboard vid or 8800)

What HSF do you have on your CPU?

What type of RAM is it?

Any problems while installing (shorts, flashes, ect.)

Remember, a first build is always tough, so don't get dicouraged, at PCMech you've bet the best help around!

Tom

[Kayoto]

The system boots up to the POST screen only with onboard vid.

My cooling source for the CPU is the standard fan that came with it; it's always worked just fine before. It's spinning and operating normally, although.. the entire processor has at times become loose on the mobo (I've double checked that it's secure for now though, I don't like the damned plastic pins you push through the motherboard, they don't seem reliable at all to me but that's what I have to work with).

The RAM is 2x 1GB Corsair DDR2 I believe. Once again what baffles me right now is that the system worked perfectly fine, then I swapped in the new PSU and it worked okay (but it might've not been fine, the system crashed with it a couple times until I resecured the CPU to the mobo but it might've kept crashing after, I only let it run for a couple minutes before trying to install the 8800).

After installing the 8800, the same problem with the computer booting for less than a second then rebooting happens until I remove the card and clear CMOS. At this point, the system crashes kept occuring (right about after Windows loaded)..

..and now even with the old PSU installed, everything back to HOW IT WAS when the system ran fine, it's not working. I know you're telling me not to be discouraged, but it's quite difficult when I've tried my hardest to get everything to run fine and I'm still running into problems I can't solve. But thank you for the sentiment, and for the help. Please ask for any more information, and I'll try to provide it to you ASAP.

[kamikazi_tom]

My cooling source for the CPU is the standard fan that came with it; it's always worked just fine before. It's spinning and operating normally, although.. the entire processor has at times become loose on the mobo (I've double checked that it's secure for now though, I don't like the damned plastic pins you push through the motherboard, they don't seem reliable at all to me but that's what I have to work with).


Woah... LGA775 CPU's do not have pins... And the installation should never move aorund, in my oppinion I think it's too tight. I think you may need to elaborate on these "plastic pins" becuase something is not right here...

EDIT: Wait you mean the HSF has come loos,e not the procc right? CPU coming loose is bad bad bad lol

[blue60007]

The stock Intel LGA775 cooler has plastic "pins" that have to be pushed through the motherboard. Make sure you have the pins locked in. Also, you should have heard them "snap" in. Here's a handy guide that has pictures to verify you've got it snapped in securely...

http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?id=1215&cid=19&pg=6

[Panama Red]

First off a moderator warning - stop swearing. I've deleted the D word from two of your posts. We have strict rules here regarding foul language.

Second, use the Edit button at the bottom of your post if you have something new to add - Don't keep making new posts to add addtional thoughts.

Third, do yourself a favor and pull the mobo from the case, properly secure the heatsink assembly and put it back it. If you try to push the hsf retaining pins thru the mobo with the mobo in the case you stand a good chance of cracking the mobo. The pc is most likely shutting down because of the loose hsf.

[Kayoto]

I'm sorry! I don't really consider that word swearing, it's kind of second nature at this point, but I apologize and will refrain from using it. Once again, I'm sorry.

I'll edit my posts if I need to add something to them, once again, I apologize for that. I'm just rather stressed out at the moment.

And yes, I meant that the heatsink fan seemed loose. I've properly secured it, and while resecuring it I noticed that one of the chips of RAM had become slightly edged out while I was moving the PSUs around (I assume). I snapped it back into place, and tried rebooting the system, but the problem is still occurring. This time, it got to the Windows screen and began making the start up noise before the noise began cutting in and out and then the system crashed. =(

Thank you very much for the help so far everyone.. I really hope I can get this working. I just wish I had more experience so I didn't have to bug you guys for all this help.


Edit: The system ran for about 5 minutes just fine this time before crashing. Progress, I guess? =|