Computer boots, then switches off 3 seconds later...

yellowputty · 12 Apr 2008 at 21:07

Hi, having problems with a computer im building for a friend.

About 3 seconds after I switch it on, it cuts out. Also, the computer turns on after switching the PSU on, and not actually pressing the power button.

AMD 5000+ BE
3GB OCZ Ram
120GB Maxtor Hardrive
Sony SATA DVD-RW
ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe
Nvidia 8400

I've disconnected the hardrive, dvd-rw, and removed 2Gb of the ram but still have the same problem.

Eeeek. :confused:

Thanks.

mame · 12 Apr 2008 at 21:12

try clearing the CMOS to start with

Dark_Angel · 12 Apr 2008 at 21:18

Could be shorting on the case.

Take it out of case, put it on something non-conductive. BARE bones (MB, CPU, 1 stick of ram, PSU connected, video card).

I had a slightly similar problem when I installed my Q6600, I forgot I had an old BIOS on my P5n-E sli, and needed to put my E4300 back in to flash it to support the Q6600 G0. After that was fine.

Could als be a power issue, try a different PSU if possible.

*EDIT*

Oh yeah, and I assume you are using the PCI-E power cables to the video cards, and of course connecting all the power cables to the motherboard, both the 24 pin cable and the 4 pin one ?

yellowputty · 12 Apr 2008 at 21:25

Dark_Angel said:
Could be shorting on the case.

Take it out of case, put it on something non-conductive. BARE bones (MB, CPU, 1 stick of ram, PSU connected, video card).

I had a slightly similar problem when I installed my Q6600, I forgot I had an old BIOS on my P5n-E sli, and needed to put my E4300 back in to flash it to support the Q6600 G0. After that was fine.

Could als be a power issue, try a different PSU if possible.

*EDIT*

Oh yeah, and I assume you are using the PCI-E power cables to the video cards, and of course connecting all the power cables to the motherboard, both the 24 pin cable and the 4 pin one ?

The card doesnt seem to have any power connector? Is this right? I'm about 99% sure the 24 pin and 4 pin connectors are in properly.

yellowputty · 12 Apr 2008 at 22:05

Dark_Angel said:
Could be shorting on the case.

Take it out of case, put it on something non-conductive. BARE bones (MB, CPU, 1 stick of ram, PSU connected, video card).

I had a slightly similar problem when I installed my Q6600, I forgot I had an old BIOS on my P5n-E sli, and needed to put my E4300 back in to flash it to support the Q6600 G0. After that was fine.

Could als be a power issue, try a different PSU if possible.

*EDIT*

Oh yeah, and I assume you are using the PCI-E power cables to the video cards, and of course connecting all the power cables to the motherboard, both the 24 pin cable and the 4 pin one ?

Thank you Dark_Angel, your suggestion worked! I took all the parts out and only had the setup connect to the Power On/Reset/IDE LED of the case - but it didn't work! So I used the Power On/Reset/IDE LED from MY computer and it worked.

The thing is, my friend had a computer a while back and it broke, and he thought after testing the PSU was ok, that the mobo must have died. And it's the same case I'm using. Why though would his computer just stop working because of these cables? What has happend to those little cables that has caused all this?

Thanks!