Just completed a new build but it won't power up correctly.

[yimlauwong]

I have completed a new (specs listed below) build but have found it only powers for less than a second before stopping. You'll have to forgive my noobishness but this is my first build and I fear I may have been a little over ambitious. I have looked over several entries on these and other forums and can not find anything that describes my problem.

As far as I can tell all compnents are installed and wired correctly. When plugged into the mains wall socket with thePSU I/O switch on, LEDs on the motherboard light up to show power is there. When I press the Power button on the case; all case fans, CPU fan, PSU fan and all internal/external LEDs flash on for a brief moment (fans begin to spin but power down immediately) and then everything stops. The motherboard LEDs remain on as they were before. The optical drive and HDD don't respond immediately but my understanding is that they probably will if the PSU were to stay on for longer, so I don't think they are the issue (but they probably are knowing my luck).

I have heard that the PSU might be running at 120v instead of the 240v used in the UK but there doesn't appear to be any switch on my PSU to choose (as there is on some). I have a 700W PSU but an online power calculator suggested this was more than enough.

Does this problem sound familiar and does anyone know of any solution? I'm hoping it is something very simple and that I've been a complete idiot for missing it but I can't seem find any solution online.

Here is a list of all the components I have used:

Case: NZXT Tempest
Motherboard: ASUS Maximus II Formula
CPU: Intel Quad-Core Q9550
Heatsink fan: The Intel one that came with the CPU (bought an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 only to find that it was too big to fit on the motherboard)
PSU: Super Silent EZcool PS-900 Tornado (700W)
RAM: 2 x 2gb 4GB Vitesta DDR2 800MHz
DVDRW drive and 500gb HDD are both generic non-brand but I can give the make/model if helpful.

Perhaps this was a bit much for a first build (there are 6 case fans and the motherboard is a complicated beast) but I'm fairly sure I have connected everything correctly.


Please can anybody help me! You can all openly mock me if I have been an idiot as long as I can sort it out.

Thank you.

[HAL9000]

My first thought is (no offense) that you have a crap power supply. Power supplies are a more than about watts... it's about being able to provide sufficient amperage CLEANLY. If it cannot produce the amperage or if the power fluctuates an/or ripples, it will cause you no end of trouble.

See the Power Supply FAQ.

A little video why a quality power supply is VERY important.

While it should still boot, I don't see your RAM on the qualified vendors list from ASUS. This could cause you some trouble, it could run fine.

[yimlauwong]

Originally Posted by HAL9000 My first thought is (no offense) that you have a crap power supply. Power supplies are a more than about watts... it's about being able to provide sufficient amperage CLEANLY. If it cannot produce the amperage or if the power fluctuates an/or ripples, it will cause you no end of trouble. See the Power Supply FAQ. A little video why a quality power supply is VERY important. While it should still boot, I don't see your RAM on the qualified vendors list from ASUS. This could cause you some trouble, it could run fine.

You might be right about the power supply. Here is an amazon link so you can see which one it is:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/EZCool-Torna...6766295&sr=8-1

I'm just a bit wary of buying a whole new PSU and then still having the same problem.

Have you heard of such a booting problem before?

Also I'm looking into the RAM now, didn't even occur to me that it could be a problem.

Thanks for the advice though.

[HAL9000]

Actually, I just built a new system and when I was ready to transfer data from my old system, the power supply did exactly what your system is doing. It would start just for a quick burst, then nothing. I changed out the power supply and all is well again.

You can also try an out of the case basic build and see if it will fire up that way. Sometimes you may be shorting out on the case somewhere.

[not important]

I would certainly try a good PSU..if that doesn't resolve your problem: try the out-of-case setup. It can really save you a lot of time and headaches.http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

[Doom]

When I looked over your parts list the first thing I thought is that the PSU stood out as suspect. Corsair, PC Power and Cooling, and Antec are typically seen as good power supplies. I use Corsair and have never had a problem. Corsair is also a good name for RAM.

In the US... you can go to specialized computer stores like Best Buy or Microcenter, and they often have the ability to check the PSU to see it's performing as advertised or potentially messing you up. That may be an option... though I'm ignorant on places to go in the UK.

[yimlauwong]

Thanks to all of your advice. I've tried an out of case build with just the essentials and still have the same problem so it looks like it is the PSU.

I went to a local computer store (small private one) looking for another and the guy only stocked the same EZ Cool brand. He told me that at trade fairs they were the most highly recomended and a very reliable brand however a quick search on the internet gives mixed opinions - some people swear by them and others despise them.

Looking over the stats on it again, it seems designed for a high-end maching running on Pentium 4 and not really up to the quad I have installed. Guess I should have paid much more attention.

I'll replace th PSU and post back to say if it worked - maybe prevent some other noobs like me from frying their rig. If it doesn't work then I'll be back whining for more help.

Thanks to everyone so far.

[yimlauwong]

Seems my reply didn't get posted.

Anyway, thanks for all your advice. I've tried an out of case basic build with only the essentials and had the same problem so I think I'll just go ahead and replace the PSU and see what happens.

I'll post back afterwards and let you guys know what happened, maybe stop some other idiots like me from making the same mistakes.

[not important]

Check this list for a PSU.
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

[Chris Linder]

Nice build your working up there , I know what it feels like to not have it working in the end. ( SUCKS )

Keep in my one bad stick of ram can make your system seem dead. try booting up with only one stick of ram on the board at a time. The idea is , if there is a bad stick of ram we want to identify it. Also , $27.00 for a 700 Watt power supply is just not good. Whats the one thing in a computer thats connected to everything and has a potential to burn everything up. You want to make sure you spend at least $100.00 on a power supply with such a nice build. It means everything. Iv been using this brand and have never had trouble with it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...on%20Source%29

If it keeps failing to boot dont keep trying in till you get a new power supply , you will burn that nice board up.

Let us know what happens so others can learn

Thanks
Chris L.

[yimlauwong]

Thanks for the help and advice, guys.

I replaced the PSU with a Corsair 750W and it booted perfectly.

Now I just need to find a good cracked copy of 64bit Vista.

Thanks once again to all.

[liambl]

Now I just need to find a good cracked copy of 64bit Vista

We don't permit discussions on this topic, please read the forum rules.

[yimlauwong]

Originally Posted by liambl We don't permit discussions on this topic, please read the forum rules.

Sorry, wasn't trying to start a topic with that or ask advice, just thinking out loud (well... typing what I was thinking).

[spamvaccum]

I have a similar situation.

I have a 2 year old build that I was upgrading memory and monitor. I also decided to take out my hauppege tv card that i never use for usb/firewire card with headers.

After putting the usb card in where the hauppege used to be I removed 2 sticks of memory(for another build for my sisters kids which is up and going).

I also went form a Dell 17 fp to a 22 samsung. I didn't think I would have to make any charges here running XP

First, it would power cycle on and off before posting.

I bought a new corsair power supply. it would also power cycle.

I unplugged the 12v ATX 8 pin connector and it will now come on and stay on, but its not getting a signal to the new monitor. i can't tell if it is posting.

gigabyte ga-p965 dq6
2 @1g corsair 8500c
intel 6700
bfg 7600 gt
ausen x-meridian 7.1


later that night my blackberry crashed. starting to sound like a country song, I know.

[minsonngo]

Do you have the molex connector from the PSU connected to the video card?

Double check and make sure you have everything seated corrected inside of the case. You could have knocked something loose.

Reconnect the 4pin/8-pin ATX12v connector to the mobo.