PC tries to start for 1 sec, stops, tries again, stops...

Mig

Mig

Mig

Associate
Joined
3 Jan 2011
Posts
128
OK, just finished my build. Everything plugged in and when I turn on the power button on the PSU it makes a high pitched whine. Then when I press the PC power on, the fans and motherboard lights up for 1 second, then power off. It waits a couple of seconds then tries again. The same just happens like this in a loop forever.

Help?

Checklist

  • Tested PSU independently - it works

  • Tried with motherboard lifted out of the case

  • Tried alternative memory slots

  • Tried clearing CMOS
 
Last edited:
It's a brand new PSU; first build.

  • Antec TruePower New Modular 650W

  • Intel Core i7-2600 3.40GHz (Sandybridge)

  • MSI P67A-GD65

  • Corsair Dominator 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz

  • ATI Radeon 6950

  • Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB

I asked when choosing my build and everyone said 650W would be fine.
 
Last edited:
Why did you get a triple channel RAM kit? Sandybridge is only dual channel.

Anyway, I would try taking everything out of the case first and testing it. Might be the case shorting out the motherboard.

I would also try a CMOS reset.
 
Sounds like a dead PSU to me. Had one with the same issue, although it sometimes went as much as 60 seconds before the restart.

Also try disconnecting the reset button.
 
Orcvader said:
Anyway, I would try taking everything out of the case first and testing it. Might be the case shorting out the motherboard
Click to expand...
What would be causing it to short? I am seriously not up for removing everything for about the 4th time.

Orcvader said:
I would also try a CMOS reset.
Click to expand...
Is it worth doing if the power won't even stay on? Does the power need to be on for me to do it?

Tealc said:
Also try disconnecting the reset button.
Click to expand...
Stopped it restarting every few seconds, but nothing else. I put it back in but now the fans don't even start and it no longer continually restarts. One motherboard light comes on before it cuts out.

Tealc said:
Sounds like a dead PSU to me.
Click to expand...
How can I test to be sure it is before I return it?

Orcvader said:
Why did you get a triple channel RAM kit? Sandybridge is only dual channel.
Click to expand...
I had no idea. Wow, any other things you guys want to tell me relating to how much time and money I've wasted? I thought I researched everything well.
 
Last edited:
Everything else is fine don't worry :p.

It could be the standoffs that are shorting it. Always a possibility.

And yes it's worth doing a CMOS reset. Might be a motherboard problem instead.
 
OK so if the standoffs are shorting it... how am I supposed to mount the board?

Should I return the 6GB tri-channel RAM and get 8GB dual-channel then? Is it going to be at all noticeable to pay £20 extra for 8-8-8 timings over 9-9-9?
 
Last edited:
Just ensure the standoffs are in properly. But seeing if you've taken the board out a few times then it should be fine.

You can always keep the RAM you have. Just take one stick out so it will run in dual channel and keep it as a back or something. Or return it, and buy 2x4gb. And no, you won't see any difference between the two timings. I would highly advise getting this RAM:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-105-GL&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517
 
as per orcvader, DSR that ram you have and get the ram he specced or similar, and you're 2gb ram and 30 notes better off, thats always a good thing :D
 
Mig said:
Is it worth doing if the power won't even stay on? Does the power need to be on for me to do it?
Click to expand...
Just turn the power off at the wall, change the jumper if you can find it/take the battery out for 10 seconds and put it back in.

Mig said:
How can I test to be sure it is before I return it?
Click to expand...
you can short the green wire with any black wire to see if it powers up and remains on. If it does you are fine, if it doesn't RMA it :)
 
OK, tried removing the motherboard - nope. Also removed the GPU and one stick of memory but neither worked.

Now when I turn it on something makes a horrible noise. Kind of a two-toned screech. Can't tell where it's coming from. Removed the internal speaker but it's not from that.

Gazza123 said:
you can short the green wire with any black wire to see if it powers up and remains on. If it does you are fine, if it doesn't RMA it :)
Click to expand...
More explanation please :) Literally have no idea what that means... I'm not that knowledgeable about electronics!
 
i had this problem, just took the side off and made sure all the plugs were firmly in, and cleared the cmos, and it did the same thing.

i then took the power cord out and hit the power button (to clear it) and then plugged it back in and it seemed to work fine.

this was however after i tryed overclocking for the first time :P
 
OK well I tested the PSU with the paperclip and it runs with a case fan running too.

I also did a CMOS reset by removing the battery for 10 secs and also moving the little thing (jumper?) to the other 2 pins after a few seconds of it being off. This made no difference. I think I forgot to unplug the power from the wall though, even though the PSU was switched off. Does this matter or do I need to do it again with the power out of the wall too?
 
Last edited:
Have you checked the motherboard manual to see which memory sockets you should be using? Had a problem like this with a p55 build last year, I couldn't work out what was the problem and thought it might be shorting or something. Checked the manual and I had the memory in the wrong sockets.
 
Nope, tried the other memory sockets (although the manual is useless).

Tried CMOS again.

Is it just because I have DDR3? I have only 2x2GB in, with one left out.

Ugh. When will it end...
 
Last edited:
Are the RAM modules in the slots 1 and 3, 1 being the closest to the CPU socket?

Also, make sure the CMOS jumper is on the first and second pin. (This is just a check :) )
 
Last edited:
try just 1 stick of memory in ram slot1 and try all 3 modules like this. you have the 12v rail plugged in to the mobo?

i always build on top of the motherboard box 1st time, to get everything working before putting everything in the case.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom