Troubleshooting newest server

[newbuilder14]

Hello everyone,

I'm having some issues with the server I'm building.

Hardware:

Intel Xeon Clovertown E5320
SuperMicro X7DVL-E (I think, box is downstairs and Newegg site is down for some reason it seems, but anyway, it's a dual-socket 771 board with an Intel 5000V chipset)
2x2 GB Kingston DDR2-667 FB-DIMM Memory
500 GB Seagate 7200.10 Hard Drive (haven't touched this yet)
Lite-On SATA DVD-ROM (haven't touched this yet)
Codegen 4U Case
Antec NeoHE 500 W Power Supply (Old - this may be the problem [i.e. not enough power])

The problem:

I can't get the server to stay on and get to the BIOS. It wouldn't even stay on at all when it was in the box, so I removed it. I hooked it up on the motherboard box with the memory (tried one stick) and processor only (onboard video). To my surprise, after seconds of seeing nothing on the screen after power-up, the SuperMicro screen showed up and took me to the BIOS - barely. The screen then turned blank and said "No Operating System" or something like that. I think it turned itself off then, or maybe I did - I forget. Anyway, after trying to power it up again, with sometimes it going on for seconds and sometimes it not (when it didn't this was resolved by turning the power supply off for seconds and then turning it back on and starting over only to have it go on for a few seconds and turn itself off again.).

I'm pretty much at a standstill right now. I was hoping this would go smoothly since the server was needed as soon as possible, but it just didn't. Can anyone lend me some advice or think of anything that could be the problem? My guess is a faulty motherboard or inadequate power supply. I plan on calling SuperMicro tomorrow.

Thanks for reading this.

[flanzig1]

Sounds like it is POSTing if you see the No Operating System message. The BIOS is probably set for fast boot. To get into the BIOS and change the setting,try tapping the DEL key as soon as you turn on the server, this should get you into the BIOS. Also,double check the CPU heatsink mounting.

[newbuilder14]

Thanks,

The problem is, I can't see anything on the screen, that was just a one-time, lucky occasion that I saw anything. Now it just turns itself off after seconds. The heatsink is on tightly, screwed to the Socket 771 retention plate underneath the motherboard. The only things I think it could be is my NeoHE 500 W power supply or a bad motherboard.

[Alaron]

Do you have another PSU to swap in?

[newbuilder14]

I don't...

However, I had it in the BIOS for a while without shutting itself down OUT OF CASE. When I went to install it in the case, when I even turn on the power supply, it turns itself on for a few seconds and shuts itself off. I don't know what could be shorting it out (if it is shorting out)... All the standoffs are in right... The metal backplate that the Socket 771 heatsinks screw into MIGHT be shorting it out, but then again, how would I get around this? I'm pretty lost as to what to do.

[newbuilder14]

Would you consider an 11.808 reading for the +12v reading acceptable? It runs out of case with this value so I was just wondering...

I think I have a sketchy SuperMicro motherboard - when I started it out of case, it started itself a couple of times, then I powered it off and on and manually started it and it worked fine. The case seems to have similar issues - we shall see...

[flanzig1]

11.8 volts is within 5% but having a drop with just the bare minimum is a bit of a red flag.
The power problems in and out of the case would be a red flag pointing to the motherboard.

Edit: The picture for the board shows a 24pin, 8pin, AND a 4 pin power connector. If using 2 CPUs, probably need all 3 connection but if just 1 CPU probably the 24 pin and the 8 pin connectors.

[newbuilder14]

Thanks for the response.

I've successfully posted inside of the case for once, and I'm going to finish everything up tomorrow.

I only see a 24-pin connector and an 8-pin connector. Can you point to me where you see the extra 4-pin connector? Here is the board I'm using: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813182097

Thanks!