help!!!

[misyleot]

I have recently purchased parts and built my first computer. Here are the specs first off: Case - Raidmax/Ninja ATX-918WSP
MB BIOSTAR TForce6100-939 G6100 939
CPU - AMD 64 / 3200+ ATHLON 64 939 RT
HD 250G/ST 7k 8M SATA ST3250823AS
MEM 1G/COR VS1GB400C3 184P R
Creative Labs SB Audigy2 ValueSB040
VGA EVGA N 6600GT 128-P2-N368-TX R
LITEON DVD Burn/ SHM-165H6s RAM BK
FD 1.44MB/SONY MPF920

It worked fine for a couple of days and then yesterday morning I tried to power up and it loaded Windows(XP) and remained on for about 3 minutes then automatically shut down. I tried several times to turn it back on, the lights would come on, all fans are working but would shut down after a couple of seconds. I soon got a screen telling me that windows did not shut down properly and gave me the option to Start Windows normally or safe mode. I never could get the whole screen read as computer would shut down. Then I eventually got a blue screen saying unmountable boot disk, I couldn't keep it on long enough to read the screen. I have read something about resetting the fan on my CPU but I wondered if anyone had any other insight or ideas about what is going on? I had been on the internet downloading a couple of programs, one being musicmatch 10. Thanks, Misyleot

[jayb1234]

The power supply is often the problem. Most cases do not come with a decent PSU.

Check that the fan/heatsink is on securely.

Check that all wires and cards are securely attached.

Is the 4 pin auxillary power connector near the CPU plugged in?

[starflyer59]

It sounds like a overheating problem. Does your bios show CPU temps? I had this problem during the summer where i was trying to do some video editing and it really puts the processor through some heavy work. My wife would leave the windows open all day and then it would be like 80 degrees in the house and my computer would shut down just like yours is doing.

I reloaded windows thinking that I had a virus or something.

Then it hit me to go into the bios and check the temps when I having the rebooting and not booting problems and noticed that my CPU temps were above the threshold and this kept windows from booting.

I recommend checking your cpu temps.

[glc]

Unmountable boot volume could be a defective hard drive. You can download diagnostic software from Seagate's website to test it - it runs from a bootdisk or boot CD. Look for SeaTools Desktop.

[misyleot]

I appreciate all your suggestions and help!!!! We got it figured out I hope. It was the thermal paste. CPU was getting waaaayyyyy to hot. Like 106 C when it would shut off. Hopefully CPU is not damaged. Took it out, cleaned it and put Arctic Silver on. So anyway, thanks again. This is a really awesome forum and I have learned a lot by reading all the other posts. See you all soon I'm sure!!!!

[Stuey]

There HAS to be something wrong with your thermal sensor. There is no way a CPU can reach 106C. It would be permanently damaged at that point. To avoid this, it will shut off way before you reach these temperatures.