HELP!!! Computer turns on, then shuts off

[dnax01]

Me and my friend just built a PC. The specs. are below.

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CPU: INTEL PENTIUM 4 D 840 DUAL CORE 3.2GHz Socket 775. 800MHz 2MB.
2 cores X 3.2GHz for 6.4GHz of processing power.

HARD DRIVE: Maxtor 320GB SATA 7200RPM Hard Drive

MEMORY: Crucial 2GB 2-1GB Sticks -5300 240Pin DDR2 667 MGZ Memory RAM

VIDEO : nVidia Gefore FX 6200 256MB DDR2 PCIe 8x Video Card

MOTHERBOARD: BIOSTAR 945G LGA 775 Intel 945G SE Micro ATX Intel Motherboard, 6-channel audio, SATA RAID , PCI-Express X16 video slot, PCI-Express X1 , 2 PCI, Core 2 DUO support, supports DDR2-667 memory

DVD BURNER: SONY 18x DVD +/-R DVD+/-RW/CD

SOUND CARD: 6 Channel Audio Processor

CASE: High quality Case with 450 Watt power supply, front USB, cool operation

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After we built it, we turned it on. All the LED lights came on and all the fans worked. The DVD/CD drive worked. After a few seconds it shuts off! So basically, everything seems to be working fine, but it keeps turning off after a few seconds. Any help or suggestions.
Thanks alot guys!!!

[Alaron]

Welcome to PCMech.

What brand/model is that power supply? Most cases come with sub-standard PSUs.

Try our troubleshooter out of the case: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

[EvoKyle]

mine was doing this when i first put it together (its my first build)..it was bc i didnt have a cpu fan

[dnax01]

The case is a BIO Max II from gearxs.com It has a 450 Watt power supply. We have the heatsink fan on properly. We even saw the boot up screen for a second and then it turns off......Again, all the LEDlights work and all the fans work. Do you think its a power supply issue?

[dnax01]

Here are the specs I found on the power supply
Power Supply Features:
450-watt power
115v-230v manual switch


Power Supply Input:
115-230V @50/60Hz, 10A/6A


Power Supply Output:
+3.3V/26A
+5V/35A
+12V/15A
-5V/0.5A
-12V/0.8A
+5Vsb/2A

[Alaron]

Ouch, those are PowMax power supplies, definitely a bad idea to use them. Try the procedure I linked to earlier. If nothing changes, you'll need to use part substitution to figure out which part is dead. And the PSU would be a great place to start.

Check out this thread on power information: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

We recommend the Fortron 450w here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104954

[dnax01]

thanks, were gonna replace the power supply and repost if it worked or not and continue from there.

[dnax01]

I think I"m gonna go for an Antec 500W PSU. Do you think that will be a good choice?

[Alaron]

Antec's are good, but they have lots of models to choose from. Post the unit you're looking at to be sure it is a good fit.

[dnax01]

Well I just went out to staples to try the Antec, just to see if it worked...And it didn't. I still have the same problem. It turns on for about 10 seconds. Everything works and lights up, but then it shuts off. Could it be a BIOS problem? Do I have to hit a certain key in order for it to boot? Thanks again for all the help, I look forward to the next response.
Oh, the Antec Power supply I bought was the Antec 500 Watt EarthWatts 80Plus

[flanzig1]

From the discription of your problem, sounds like that the CPU heatsink isn't fully latched down in the 4 corners. If even one latch isn't locked in can cause enough of the heatsink not contact the CPU and cause the CPU to overheat. If you used an aftermarket heatsink, need to apply a thin coat of thermal compound onto the face of the CPU.

[dnax01]

I doubled checked the heatsink and just checked it again. All 4 corners are def. snug and latched. There is no thermal compound on the face though. Would it be a good idea to go buy some and put some on?

[Alaron]

Is the motherboard in or out of the case right now? Take it out when you're troubleshooting to eliminate the possibility of a short against the case.

Also, do you have both the 24pin main ATX power and the separate 4pin power connections in place?

[das1988]

You have no thermal compound on your cpu?? You have to have that or you can severely damage your cpu. Usually your CPU comes with some generic thermal compound.

[dnax01]

There is a small amount of thermal compound on the CPU
The motherboard is still in the case. Yes Both main and seperate power supply's are connected. I will take everything apart and try to troubleshoot it......

[dnax01]

I am going to buy some Cooling Compound tomorrow at Best Buy. A few people seem to thing its the CPU not making the right contact or over heating.........Do you think this might solve the problem?

[Jerry Falletta]

Keep in mind that only a very thin layer of heat sink compound (Arctic Silver is really good stuff, but there are other good brands as well) is necessary. Anything more than a thin layer may not work any better than having none at all.

I had this problem a while back, and found I was using too much compound (not like frosting a cake or applying mortar, but still too much ;) ), so I cleaned it off and started again, using an old credit card as a "trowel". It has been working well ever since.

[dnax01]

Hey, Well I applied the thermal compound and my computer now turns on......BUT I checked the temperature and it is 77 C on start up which is waay too hot! Is there a way I can get the temperature down? I tried cleaning the compound off again and re-applying but it stays at the same temp. Any suggestions? Thanks guys

[corosus]

77°Celcius is indeed waaaay to hot (are you sure it's set to celcius???)

What cooler are you using and what kind of compound ? and does the compound cover the entire cpu ?? normally i use a bit of cardboard to make sure the compound is divided evenly

[Cricket]

Hey, Well I applied the thermal compound and my computer now turns on......BUT I checked the temperature and it is 77 C on start up which is waay too hot! Is there a way I can get the temperature down? I tried cleaning the compound off again and re-applying but it stays at the same temp. Any suggestions? Thanks guysHow to correctly install the LGA775 heatsink. (http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?id=1215&cid=19&pg=6)

:) Cricket

[dnax01]

Well I evenly applied the Thermal Compound. I have the regular Heatsink fan Intel that came with the CPU. I think Its good now. When I start it up it is at 25 C and it idles out around 55 C is that ok?

[Katreat]

I think your readings are safe. The only link I found on your CPU was in regards to max temp and you are below that.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/143/5

Kat