powering on and off

[Boneless]

I'm trying to do a new build. When I start up it powers on for a few seconds and powers off for a few sec. Then it cycles like that until I stop it. All the mobo LED's light up but go off also. I can't even get a BIOS. I tried different power supplies and cases but the problem still happens. I've only connected the ps to the mobo with the 8-pin and 24-pin, plus all the front panel jumpers. I took off the cpu fan to check it and placed it back on. The ps voltage is set at 115. I can only think of the mobo as the problem now, but I'd appreciate some other thoughts.

Gigabyte GA-EP45 UD3R rev 1.1
Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz
BFG Power supply, I think it's 450W or 550W

[jdeb]

Please list your complete system specs, RAM, Video Card, Hard Drive etc.

Try the out of the case trouble shooting

PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

Do you have a "known working" power supply?

[Boneless]

This error occurs before BIOS and does not display on my monitor. The power supply is brand new and so is the the mobo. The mobo was tested outside the case and on a cardboard box. Same error or starting up for a few seconds and shutting off for a few seconds, repeating the cycle. No beeps or anything.


Case is an Antec 300

Newegg.com - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Power Supply is a BFGR450WGSPSU

BFG GS Series BFGR450WGSPSU GS-450 Power Supply - ATX, 450 Watts, 140mm Silent Fan at TigerDirect.com

Motherboard is Gigabyte GA-EP45 UD3R

Newegg.com - Open Box: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor is Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80569Q9550

RAM is Samsung 1GB DDR2 667

Samsung 1GB 1Rx4 PC2-5300P DDR2 667 M393T2950EZA NEW | eBay

Video Card is a Gigabyte Radeon HD 4550

GIGABYTE - Graphics Card - ATI - PCI Express Solution - Radeon HD 4000 series - GV-R455D3-512I

The hard drive and optical are not connected.

[chuck462]

Did you have your RAM installed?

[jdeb]

I am not liking the ram, open box mobo, or the power supply. Just because the stuff is new, does not mean much. Are you sure the power supply is good? You can check it with a multimeter. Open box mobo is a can of worms because you have no idea what someone did with it and why they returned it. They may have bricked the BIOS.

[glc]

That's a registered ECC dimm, NOT compatible. With that processor you need a dual channel kit of DDR2-800 standard non-ECC ram. BFG is out of business and about 50% of their last batch of PSU's were defective out of the box.

Stay away from Tiger Direct and Ebay.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by glc That's a registered ECC dimm, NOT compatible. With that processor you need a dual channel kit of DDR2-800 standard non-ECC ram. BFG is out of business and about 50% of their last batch of PSU's were defective out of the box. Stay away from Tiger Direct and Ebay.

nice catch on the memory george your freaking amazing

[Boneless]

Everything was bought brand new except for the RAM. The links I provided were just so everyone knows what the info was. I bought everything from NewEgg and BestBuy over 6 months ago and just decided to tackle the problem again.

I have another stick non-ECC somewhere so I'll give that a shot. I can't remember where I pulled it from but it was from a system I had already. I actually left the RAM out on one of my attempts and the same problem occurred. I was wondering if that had any relevance.

[Boneless]

Got some dual channel DDR2 5300 RAM and the comp booted! I guess I tried everything but glc saves the day again! I just need to install an OS and everything should work.

I did notice that there's a Dell header on the screen when it tells me there's no bootable drive. I can't remember where I pulled the hard drive from but does that mean the drive was from a Dell comp I got it from? Every other component is retail stuff.

Also, it I have a XP key, can I purchase a win7 pro retail upgrade to use for a clean install, but have the ability to transfer the OS later if I replaced the mobo? I heard the OEM versions don't allow this but what actually happens if I try an OEM?

[glc]

I would buy the OEM. You shouldn't have a major problem transferring it if necessary. Upgrades can be installed clean, but it can be a rather involved process and you will still have to play the "20 questions" game with M$ if you transfer it later.

You really should be using DDR2-800 (6400) ram with that processor if possible, but if you are using this in the office, it's no big deal.