Weird Problem with new ATHLON X2 Build....HELP!!

[goosedude]

Ok.......
I've repaired and built a # of computers and laptops but have never run into a problem like this before.

Decided to build a nice gaming rig with these brand new parts:

AMD ATHLON 64 X2 6000
ZALMAN CNPS 9500 Cooler - AM2
2GB OCZ DDRII 800Mhz Memory (OCZ2P800R22GK R)
GIGABYTE SOCKET AM2 BOARD (GA-M59SLI-S5) REV 1.0
CORSAIR HX520W Modular Power Supply
eVGA 8800GTS SuperClocked
Cooler Master MYSTIQUE Case

System POSTs, all Fans (CPU, Heatsink, VIdeo Card, 2 System) and LEDs are active........and am able to get into BIOS & CMOS.

Now here's the weird problem.....like clockwork.....after about 5 minutes....just in BIOS....

The Video will click into standby (disappears) and the system becomes unresponsive to reboot but all fans / leds are functional.

I reseated everything and left only basic comjponents in....still the same issue. I checked the CPU and pins are fine and chip looks solid.

Any ideas what would cause this problem??? Help greatly appreciated.

I am making an assumption that it either:
1) Problem with the Motherboard....possibly a short somewhere (though I went over the boards closely and saw no shorts or signs of a short)
2) Problem with the CORSAIR Power Suppy.......not enough Power.....(however 520W should be fine and the PSU is NVIDIA SLI Certfied)

Please share your wisdom....

For reference other components I was planning on installing:
150GB 10,000RPM 16MB Western DIgital Raptor X SATA-150 (WD1500AHFD)
Creative SoundBlaster X-FI Platinum
Samsung 3.5" Floppy Drive (black)
SONY DRU-810A DVD-R DL/RW IDE Drive

[LeftyAce]

What are the CPU temperature readings? And do they climb steadily until shutting off?

To eliminate a bunch of variables, try the out-of-case troubleshooting build: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

[minsonngo]

Looks like a pretty nice setup.

Have you tried only one stick of memory in at a time?

Could be a faulty PSU too... do you have one you can swap out to test?

What are the CPU temperatures? If it is too high... the processor heatsink and fan may be installed improperly.

[goosedude]

Don't think it's the CPU as the temperature stays pretty stable at ~ 34-36 Degrees Celsius with the Zalman running.....I've monitored the fan speed and CPU temperature in BIOS before it cacks out.

Alas....don't have a another PSU of 500W+ to test it with....only 300W...

May run out to CompUSA and pickup a 620W just to test and do the out of case assembly.

Which would suck......its a nice case....highly recommend it.

[Alaron]

Do the out of the case procedure with the PSU you have first.

[minsonngo]

Temps look good.

I would try another PSU. If that is not the issue... I would take a look at the memory. Leave one stick in at a time to see if you have a faulty stick. Or you can also run memtest if the computer will stay on to allow you to do so.

The video card may also be a suspect too...

[goosedude]

Ok.....out of the case setup is running and its all stable with Corsair 520W PSU, Zalman attached directly to board (without Speed adjuster), CPU, evga 8800GTS installed, 3.5" Floppy attached......DVI-VGA Adapter to Black IBM Monitor, PS2 Keyboard.

Did one stick of RAM and then added 2nd.....setup was stable..........so now running MEMTEST86+ 1.70. Though kinda weird in that the timings are listed as 5-5-5-15...when the RAM Is spec-ed at 4-4-4-15 (probably just the software)

So seems all the components are fine.......so will re-install everything into case if MEMTEST passes....

Could it be a grounding issue with the case & Motherboard??? Wouldn't even know how to trouble shoot that......
I did notice that there is a metal flap that extends out from near the keyboard PS2 jack but that looks like its meant to be there anyway.

I'm gonna run out and get some plastic standoffs and insulating washers for the motherboard screws.......maybe that'll fix the issue.....though I do prefer Brass standoffs.

[Katreat]

First thing read the mobos manual closely and inspect your stand offs to be sure they are properly placed. As simple as it is that seems to be the most common grounding problem I have heard about. With many new cases being made for both ATX and BTX boards these days there are lots of extra holes to miss-use. If everything lines up then follow installation guide and install board. Test board again with just the minimum componets. If everything still runs stable then you at least know your core components are good. Next start adding your other components one by one, testing to see if each works.

[goosedude]

Well....just to show that building PCs is a true labor of love......

After Assembling.....then disassembling.......then reassembling......then disassembling partially again.....

The Culprit has been narrowed to possibly one of the most basic things you would ever think to cause a system to misbehave....and one of the 1st steps in assembly.

Seems that my problem was caused by the:
1) HDD Activity LED
or
2) Reset Switch
or
3) MSG Light (Lightning Bolt)
or
4) All of the above....i got sick of testing once it was narrowed to this area

When the leads for these items are connected to the motherboard.......one of them (or possibly all of them.....as they are located in the same area on the top of the case) is causing some kind of feedback loop which after 5 minutes causes the system to short out and hang.

Not sure if it's worth returning the entire case for....but i'll have to look for a loose wire or bad solder point possibly causing it

Weird Problems are ultimately the most difficult to diagnose.......

Suffice to say....my build is functioning....and the Vista Install is progressing....

Hope this helps someone who runs into a similar problem........

[minsonngo]

Wow... I would have never guessed that. Good going!

[Katreat]

Glad you found the problem.