New built comp keeps crashing

[claxius]

This is my first build.

I put everything together:

-650w ps
-Mobo: gigabyte ga-ep45-ud3p / intel p45/ich10r 1600/ ddr 2 1366+ / sata 2
-intel core2quad
-2 ddr2
-evga 9800 gtx+
-32 bit win vista ultimate

I'm a noob so I think I've forgotten a few steps setting up the Mobo or card

I installed everything (the OS before the mobo disk or drivers/only way to get it to work). Everything was going fine. I then installed all mobo drivers. Then installed gc drivers. I installed Kaspersky. Installed 47 windows updates. Browsed the internet for a bit. Then I went to install one Windows update (1 item-malicious software) and then the computer just shut off completely. (I was also in the process of downloading steam and itunes. Restarted then tried to download update again (thats all) and it downloaded for a while before it just shut down again.

I only have the key board, mouse, monitor, and ethernet hooked up. I went to the boot menus at the start up but I'm sorta lost there.

I could be wrong but it appears everything was fine till I tried to install the windows malicious software removal tool.

Need help.

[coldplay055]

It does not restart? Just completely shuts off? Could be a motherboard issue or the power supply is what it sounds like to me or heating as well. Do you have an extra power supply laying around to try out, i would try that but before anything make sure all the power cables are secure, sometimes it can be the simpleist of things that we overlook that could be the answer to our problems. Also do you have a way of monitoring the temperature of the system. Speedfan is a great tool for this it shows you the temp of your items if they are hooked into the motherboard to accept info for display. www.almico.com for the speedfan software

[jdeb]

do the sticky thread on here..

PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

[claxius]

update:

Every time it shuts off I'm able to reboot and go back to work, but the computer keeps shutting off at random moments (it just completely shuts down, no reboot).

It happened while I was installing a game and messing with the desktop puzzle for vista and its happened twice while trying to play left 4 dead. the comp just shuts off.

I have no clue what to do. I have a good graphics card and a good processor. I dont see how it can get so hot or overworked (if thats the problem) just by playing a game or even multi-tasking.

I'm going wrong somewhere

[claxius]

Originally Posted by coldplay055 It does not restart? Just completely shuts off? Could be a motherboard issue or the power supply is what it sounds like to me or heating as well. Do you have an extra power supply laying around to try out, i would try that but before anything make sure all the power cables are secure, sometimes it can be the simpleist of things that we overlook that could be the answer to our problems. Also do you have a way of monitoring the temperature of the system. Speedfan is a great tool for this it shows you the temp of your items if they are hooked into the motherboard to accept info for display. www.almico.com for the speedfan software

the power supply is fairly new, less than a year old and it never gave me problems with my older computer. (i am upgrading)

[not important]

What brand is the PSU? A CPU not properly fastened down can also cause your problem.
Do the out of case build that jdeb linked to.

[claxius]

The PSU is antec.

Update:

Ive been on the computer and browsed the internet for a while and it hasnt shut down.

BUT

EVERY TIME I go to play a game, I dont get far before the comp shuts down. Could it be a compatibility issue? I have Intel CPU and an Nvidia graphics card.

Also, I dont see how it can be a heating issue by just playing a game, and before when it shut off when I wasnt playing a game.

Any more opinions?

[flanzig1]

Sounds like the CPU heatsink isn't fully latched in place. Even one pin not fully latched is enough for the heatsink to not have full contact with the CPU and cause overheating which will cause a sudden shutdown.
To check the heatsink locking pins, you will need to pull the motherboard and look at the locking pins at the under side of the motherboard.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 Sounds like the CPU heatsink isn't fully latched in place. Even one pin not fully latched is enough for the heatsink to not have full contact with the CPU and cause overheating which will cause a sudden shutdown. To check the heatsink locking pins, you will need to pull the motherboard and look at the locking pins at the under side of the motherboard.

or in my case with a giant magnifying glass

[claxius]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 Sounds like the CPU heatsink isn't fully latched in place. Even one pin not fully latched is enough for the heatsink to not have full contact with the CPU and cause overheating which will cause a sudden shutdown. To check the heatsink locking pins, you will need to pull the motherboard and look at the locking pins at the under side of the motherboard.

ok. question:

the cpu fan or heat sink came with a rubber pad on bottom which i read can be a substitute for thermal grease. is this true?

When installing I did not use thermal grease on CPU cuz I read that the rubber pad on heat sink is an alternative. Should I use grease in addition to the rubber pad?

[not important]

The "rubber" pad on the bottom of the CPU is thermal paste. "Some" CPU's come with a thin protective cover that needs to be removed before locking the CPU down but I don't believe yours did. I would also suggest checking the locking pins.

[claxius]

Update:

I took out the the heat sink/fan and cpu and checked everything. Looked good. The paste on the heat sink fan was already worn so I added some arctic silver and re-installed (and come to think of it I had problems with the heat sink/fan installation initially...it's the push and screw kind and I had problems with one of the corners), no problems, booted, played Left 4 Dead for an hour.

So it appears the problem was a faulty heat sink/fan/grease installation combo (I didn't notice anything abnormal with the CPU itself).

Hopefully things remain copacetic. Thank you all for your time and input.


SOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by claxius Update: I took out the the heat sink/fan and cpu and checked everything. Looked good. The paste on the heat sink fan was already worn so I added some arctic silver and re-installed (and come to think of it I had problems with the heat sink/fan installation initially...it's the push and screw kind and I had problems with one of the corners), no problems, booted, played Left 4 Dead for an hour. So it appears the problem was a faulty heat sink/fan/grease installation combo (I didn't notice anything abnormal with the CPU itself). Hopefully things remain copacetic. Thank you all for your time and input. SOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate those push pins

[not important]

I assume you removed the original thermal paste and cleaned the heatsink before adding the Arctic Silver?
Intel HSF's are very simple to install. BEFORE installing the Mobo in the case, place one hand behind the CPU area and lock down the pins.