New build shutdown issue

[bubhead]

Hi,

I recently built this system and am having boot-up problems. The system will start up, beep once and go to the CD Boot-up (if drive is attached). It will then shut down within 5 minutes the first time, and usually within 1 minute on subsequent attempts. It doesn't matter if I go into the hard drive setup CD in the DVD drive or just let it sit there.

I have tried this outside of the case with 2 different power supplies and 2 different memory modules, both with and without peripherals and using the integrated video (no video card installed). At the barest configuration it was outside the case, with only the CPU, heatsink, and one memory module. Other times I had connected the hard drive, DVD drive, keyboard and mouse. It doesn't seem to make much difference what is connected or whether it is in the case.

A few seconds after starting up, a high-pitched squeal can be heard coming from the area where the CPU is and will continue until it shuts down. I know it is not the power supply for sure. It also does not sound like it is the heatsink fan using my technical rolled-up piece of paper stethoscope.

I have reseated the CPU and heatsink twice, but that's a no-brainer as it will only go in one way. I have also re-applied the thermal grease once.

I'm thinking it's either the CPU or the motherboard, but am leaning toward the CPU. Any good ways to narrow it down specifically to one or the other or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Most of this stuff was purchased from Tiger Direct. Anybody have any dealings with them returning stuff? Do they hassle you or just exchange it?

Thanks for reading this and any insight.

Alan


System Specs:
Antec 350 watt power supply
Intel Celeron 341 D 2.93GHz
Abit SG-80 Socket 775 Motherboard
Ultra 1024MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz
Masscool 8W0141B Socket 775 CPU Cooling
Seagate 200 GB hard drive
NEC 3550A DVD writer

[doctorgonzo]

Sounds like a heat issue, and the squealing leads me to believe it's the fan on the CPU that is the culprit.

[bubhead]

I might agree if it was taking a little more time and it was inside the case. Being outside the case and the heatsink is cool to the touch, I believe it's something else. You may be right about the fan making the noise, don't have another heatsink to test it with.

Does anybody have any further suggestions?

[doctorgonzo]

The heatsink is cool to the touch? Are you sure that you have a good interface between the processor and the heatsink? Are you using a thermal pad or thermal grease?

[glc]

If the heatsink is cool to the touch, you don't have it mounted properly. Check your temperatures in the bios to confirm.

[bubhead]

I do have it mounted properly and I used thermal grease that came with the heatsink.

Keep in mind the thing will only run a couple of minutes before it shuts down. It seems that wouldn't be long enough for the heatsink to get hot, but I could be wrong.

[Alaron]

It doesn't take long at all for a CPU to overheat and shutdown.

If you boot the machine and go into the BIOS, find the CPU temperature. Watch it until the machine shuts down. If the temp keeps climbing, there is an issue with the heatsink.

[bubhead]

Many thanks to doctorgonzo, glc, and Alaron for their suggestions.

You were all right on track. I had believed that I had properly mounted the heatsink, but I was WRONG. One side of the heatsink had a lip that was keeping it from seating properly. I turned it around and the problem ceased.

Kudos to you fine folks for helping me solve my problem without me having to return anything. This has definitely been a learning experience.

Alan