Shorting? Bad part? I don't know what's wrong

[sayerplayer]

I believe I am having a shorting problem, except I don't need to put any standoffs in as all of my holes align with the case. I am using a VERY cheap case, that had the worst little guide for it. Shows an angled view that I can't quite tell where they are pointing certain items. But anyway, everytime I push the power button all of the fans on the board begin to spin and then go out within a second. Also the lights on the MB come on then turn off right away, except one yellow light telling me there is power in and to the board. This is my first build, and everything went together fine, I just can't figure out where it could possible be touching the case. I checked everywhere and can't seem to figure it out. I even tore the build back down to just the MB, processor w/ heatsink, power supply, and case. I am totally puzzled. Anyone have any suggestions, I did see one on here to put the MB in a box and try it by itself, so I will try that tonight. But I won't have access to a computer to look up the troubleshooting I need so any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Specs:

K9A2 Platinum V1 790fx Chipset
9600 Black Edition AMD Phenom
2 Gigs of OCZ PC6400
ATI x1600 pro (yeah this will definately be updated when funds come back around!!)
750 Watt Cooler Master Power Pro
3 80mm Fans
Case (http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0257843)

Thanks in advance to any help that can be given.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by sayerplayer I believe I am having a shorting problem, except I don't need to put any standoffs in as all of my holes align with the case.

You don't have any standoffs installed? That's why your computer isn't working...the motherboard is shorting out to the motherboard mounting tray. The purpose of the standoffs is to raise the motherboard above the motherboard mounting tray so that all those little pieces of wires on the bottom of the motherboard don't touch the case.

Troubleshooting instructions.

Cricket

[Katreat]

Welcome to PCMech!

Standoffs are not to align the MB with the case, they are to seperate the MB from the case. Unless the case is designed not to use standoff then they are necessary to keep the back of the MB from touching the MB plate.

If that is not the problem you should probably try this.

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=168456

Kat

Edit: Dang that Cricket is fast.......

[sayerplayer]

It came with these cheap plastic standoffs to plug the holes that aren't used. There is not other standoffs. Also all the raised parts of the Case match with the holes on the MB, so if I put screws in all of them to mount the board, then why would I even need the standoffs? They aren't the metal ones, and the won't raise the board. I did put some plastic, what I call risers, in two spots I thought maybe were touching, but this started to bow the board so I backed off doing this. Only thing I haven't tried is installing it outside the case, I will try that tonight when I get home. But am wondering if there are any other known possibilities. Also does this sound like it's a short for sure? Or is it just possibly a short. Cause like I said it seems to want to power on then stops right away, and the yellow light will stay on until I release all of the power from the board.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by sayerplayer It came with these cheap plastic standoffs to plug the holes that aren't used. There is not other standoffs. Also all the raised parts of the Case match with the holes on the MB, so if I put screws in all of them to mount the board, then why would I even need the standoffs?

Ohhhh...you have a case that uses those mounting bumps already formed into the mounting tray. Yes, you don't need the brass standoffs.

Originally Posted by sayerplayer Only thing I haven't tried is installing it outside the case, I will try that tonight when I get home.

Yes, please do that and let us know what happens.

Originally Posted by sayerplayer But am wondering if there are any other known possibilities.

When it comes to computer problems there are always other possibilities...you could have a DOA part, you could have incompatible parts, you could have a defective part, something might not be connected or installed properly, etc, etc, etc...

Originally Posted by sayerplayer Also does this sound like it's a short for sure? Or is it just possibly a short. Cause like I said it seems to want to power on then stops right away, and the yellow light will stay on until I release all of the power from the board.

To me it sounds like the CPU heatsink might not be installed correctly and the CPU is overheating and the system is shutting down to prevent damage to the CPU.

Or you could have a defective power supply. Or you could have a defective motherboard.

Cricket

[sayerplayer]

Heatsink could be the issue, I bought one from MicroCenter, and the clips it came with either hold it on too tight or a little loose where I can wiggle it. Not too happy with it and of course now I can't return it, I will try and see if maybe that is also the issue. Thanks for your help and I will check it and let you know (hopefully from the new computer).

[sayerplayer]

It was the power supply. The only thing I didn't buy off ebay and actually bought from a store, of course is the only DOA part. Computer running fine, albeit the hundreds of updates I had to do. Runs a little hot, pretty sure I need more fans running. But what would be the normal suggested temps for a case and the cpu. It appears as though the cpu sticks around 96 degrees Farenheit, and the box at 116 degrees Farenheit. Is this too much? Also when powered on for a while I noticed the sent of the thermal grease coming out of the fans. Is this normal? It appears as though it shouldn't be a problem, as the grease doesn't appear to be burnt in any way and it still runs fine (I had it running for 4 hours without any problems, but don't want to burn it up.) Thanks for your help, just wish that the power supply wasn't bad as it was a sweet one, and it was a very very good price compared to the next cheapest price I could find. I ended up with an Ultra Lifetime Series 750w supply ($119.99), over my CoolerMaster 750w supply (on sale for $107 w/ a $50 rebate.)