CPU, Mobo, or Video? This is a good one.

[Chris Webber]

This could be a fun challenge because I've read all the forums to this point. To begin:

New build:
- ASUS P5K DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor
- GIGABYTE GV-NX86S256H GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP
- ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm 2 Ball Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler
- Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
- Thermaltake W0106RU Complies with ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V version 700W Power Supply

Here's the scenario:

Built this setup with my friend and it worked well. Just got new coolermaster cosmos case and wanted to transfer to new case.

Transferred all components and when I powered the system on it did the common "fans turn on for 1-2 seconds, automatically turn off, turn back on, turn off, etc."

So I followed this awesome troubleshooting post: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409 from this website.

Took everything out, took off CPU fan, pulled out CPU and inspected the intel chip without any visible problems. Replaced it, replaced the cooling fan and attached cable. Went down to 1 stick of memory and video card only.

Turned on machine, green LED indicating power to mobo on, same "turn on, turn off" happened.

- Changes PSU to PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad (Black) EPS12V 750W PSU

Same thing happened. Changed one stick of ram to other. Same thing happened.


Then pulled off video card and all memory. Reset CMOS. Turned on computer and CPU fan turned on and stayed on. Got a Bios 3 beep indicating memory lacking.

Installed 1 memory card. It turned on great and then gave me the VGA card missing. There is no on-board video.

Installed video card and it only gave the 1 beep for keyboard missing and stayed on. So far so good, right?

I connected the monitor and the entire setup, again, did the blink on and off thing and would not fix itself until I re-did the entire process agian. And again, at that point, the process of plugging in the monitor caused my system to turn on and off.

Now, I've tested the monitor on a second computer and it worked just fine.

So my question is, could the mobo pci-E slot be causing a problem or could the CPU be causing a problem? I guess the video card itself could also be a problem and I, unfortuantely, don't have a spare on hand to test it right now.

Any ideas?

[Cricket]

Try and see if you can borrow another video card to test with. Troubleshoot by substitution helps to pinpoint the problem...you really don't ever want to guess or assume when it comes to problems like this.

Cricket

[Chris Webber]

I've thought about the video card and, of course, am trying to find a working one to troubleshoot this.

But would the video card itself cause a problem when the DVI cable plugged in? It would seem that maybe it's the motion of plugging in the monitor that might be a viable problem and would probably mean that the slot itself on mobo was bad. That was my thought.

Also, how can you tell if the CPU is working well? I think that by loading up the inital boot with some BIOS error beeps that it would suggest the CPU is intact.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Chris Webber But would the video card itself cause a problem when the DVI cable plugged in?

Are you plugging in the cable while the computer is running?

Originally Posted by Chris Webber It would seem that maybe it's the motion of plugging in the monitor that might be a viable problem and would probably mean that the slot itself on mobo was bad. That was my thought.

Anything is possible...by substituting the video card you'll know if the problem is the card or the slot on the motherboard.

Originally Posted by Chris Webber Also, how can you tell if the CPU is working well?

It kinda depends...if the CPU is dead the computer won't boot at all. But if there is a small glitch you might be able to boot the system and the problem won't appear until you do a specific task. But most times if the CPU is the problem the computer won't boot up. But CPUs are surprisingly robust and usually not the cause of most computer problems.

Cricket

[PuppeteerXerxes]

He forgets to mention that the first time we built it was in a pink case.

[Chris Webber]

Good question about the plugging in the cable.

When I got the VGA card to post I turned off the system and then plugged in cable and turned it back on.

What is interesting is that I've gone through the entire above mentioned process TWICE each time deconstructing the system down to just CPU and CPU fan and each time rebuilding up one step at a time and both times it had a problem when plugging in the monitor.


And, sadly, yes the initial build was in a pink case and the comment below was from my friend who helped me build it. Now, I will suggest it is possible that the pink case was the problem if this had occured when building into the pink case. But then the diagnosis would simply be "manly components being stuck in a pink case."

Unfortunately, now that fact is just a shameful element known by me, my friend, and absolutely everyone on this forum. Thanks, puppet. You're a pal.

[andper10]

The only thing that I can think of is that you forgot to plug the 6 pin PCI-E power connector into the back of the video card.

[Chris Webber]

Actually, my video card is the silentpipe version without a fan and does not have its own independent plug. I'm currently going to test the Video card to see if that's the problem . Otherwise will just RMA the motherboard and try another.

Still looking for ideas, though.

[Kristiecsu]

I don't understand. Is the pink computer case supposed to be a bad thing? Because I think it's hot. With two "t"s. A pink case doesn't make a guy effeminate. It's not like he's got a joint checking account with another man or anything. Lay off of him.