New build restarts and freezes

Moreh2 · 5 Mar 2011 at 16:57

Hi guys,

Right basically I just built myself a new system 2 days ago; there are several problems with it and I don't know if they're interconnected or separate.
Any help would be very much appreciated!

First problem: When it turns on, it sometimes turns off after a few seconds and then after another couple seconds turns its self on. It can properly turn on first time or it can take up to three attempts of this strange restarting before it gets to the POST screen.

Second problem: When I try to install Windows 7 or XP it freezes or crashes in install. For windows 7 install it normally freezes just after its loaded the files, on the blue opening screen; I have verified that this disc is working. I decided to try and install XP from a USB flash disc, it could format the drive alright but when it tried to install XP it would BSOD with the 0x000007b error and something like "Setup has stopped to prevent damage to your pc"; I haven't verified this usb key.

Third problem: Just a second ago, just after mounting a different HDD the PC would start but freeze before I could enter BIOS or do anything. This is not vital as it doesn't happen with the HDD i intend to use.

What I have done so far: I have run memtest for over five hours with no errors. I have tried taking out one stick of ram and putting them in different sockets etc. I have tried installing windows 7 with a different optical drive. Tried different SATA cables for both optical and hard drive. Tried installing on a IDE HDD, it still froze. I have taken out all USB cables and have turned on ACHI in BIOS. I have updated BIOS.

I tried installing windows 7 on the HDD in another PC which worked with the hope that it wouldn't notice when I put it in my new PC. It worked but the HDD broke soon after (see below).

What I can do: Replace PSU & replace graphics card.

These are the Specs:
i5-2500k 1155 3.3ghz intel processor
Asus P8P67 LE Motherboard
Corsair XMS3 classic DDR3 2x2gb 1600Mhz
Corsair 60gb F60 Solid state drive
Corsair 600w PSU
Radeon 4770 HD
antec p190 case

The SSD broke and I will hopefully get it replaced soon. The plastic strip that ran the length of the connector for the power cable came out with the power cable and is now stuck in it.

This is unbelievably frustrating and i will love anyone that can help!
Thanks

RedvGreen · 5 Mar 2011 at 17:23

You've done the right thing - my first thought is with the RAM. Second consideration would be something of trial and error unfortunately...

Check the Corsair PSU voltage rails; check that the motherboard is mounted on insulated or non-conductive screws (arcing to case is bad, i've had this a few times in previous builds). Try the very basic setup and work up:

PSU, CPU, Mobo, HDD, 1 stick RAM, (and GFX if no onboard) - check stability, power-on etc.

Then add the components gradually to see when the problem arises.

justintime2001 · 5 Mar 2011 at 17:25

When it does boot, have you been into the bios and made any alterations? I would suggest you make sure the bios settings are all standard. I would also suggest that you check all fittings, Graphics card, cables etc etc to make sure everything is connected properly before moving on to other things.

Baldbloke · 5 Mar 2011 at 17:43

As above. Plus check cpu temps in bios to ensure the cpu isn't cooking.

Moreh2 · 5 Mar 2011 at 17:50

f00f1ght0r said:
You've done the right thing - my first thought is with the RAM. Second consideration would be something of trial and error unfortunately...

Check the Corsair PSU voltage rails; check that the motherboard is mounted on insulated or non-conductive screws (arcing to case is bad, i've had this a few times in previous builds). Try the very basic setup and work up:

PSU, CPU, Mobo, HDD, 1 stick RAM, (and GFX if no onboard) - check stability, power-on etc.

Then add the components gradually to see when the problem arises.

Hey,
firstly thanks a lot for the quick reply. i can change out the PSU and check it and graphics card but can't really do anything else. ill check the screws... the ones behind the mobo i know work but the ones that actually screw it in im not sure about. If they aren't non conductive would that have damaged the mobo?
Thanks

Moreh2 · 5 Mar 2011 at 17:51

Baldbloke said:
As above. Plus check cpu temps in bios to ensure the cpu isn't cooking.

Thanks also,
The cpu temp is like 40C which is good for my cpu i beleive? I've tried multiple settings as well as default so i don't think that can be it.

Moreh2 · 5 Mar 2011 at 17:52

is there anyway to check the screws?

RedvGreen · 5 Mar 2011 at 17:54

Moreh2 said:
Hey,
firstly thanks a lot for the quick reply. i can change out the PSU and check it and graphics card but can't really do anything else. ill check the screws... the ones behind the mobo i know work but the ones that actually screw it in im not sure about. If they aren't non conductive would that have damaged the mobo?
Thanks

You can generally see if they are arcing through simple observation of scorch marks on the Mobo or mounting plate.

It may damage the motherboard yes...

Moreh2 · 5 Mar 2011 at 17:58

f00f1ght0r said:
You can generally see if they are arcing through simple observation of scorch marks on the Mobo or mounting plate.

It may damage the motherboard yes...

I can't see any marks or anything but could it be causing my problems if they aren't correct and will it fix it if i replace them in your opinion?

Moreh2 · 5 Mar 2011 at 18:05

another thing, it sometimes boots and says "Overclock failed! press f1 to go into setup" and I havn't done anything to the clock?

RedvGreen · 5 Mar 2011 at 18:09

I'd be resetting your motherboard to factory defaults (and/or reset the CMOS via battery and CMOS jumpers). If any changes have occurred to the BIOS, it could be altering the clock and voltages of your system... potentially to damaging potential if sustained.

Moreh2 · 5 Mar 2011 at 18:17

Okay thanks, i will do that. I haven't made any changes like that but it can't hurt. however the problem happened before any changes were made in bios and so it probably wont fix my system.

matthewhotdude · 6 Mar 2011 at 10:02

Check your RAM voltage is correct, I had mine set to automatic and it set the voltage too low, and caused me to have the same restart problem as you on boot up

matthewhotdude · 6 Mar 2011 at 12:19

did you solve it?

Moreh2 · 6 Mar 2011 at 23:22

matthewhotdude said:
Check your RAM voltage is correct, I had mine set to automatic and it set the voltage too low, and caused me to have the same restart problem as you on boot up

Hey man, yeah i think it was too low! however when i raised the DRAM voltage to 1.65 and it still freezes on setup

(((.
it was advertised as 1.5voltage CMX4GX3M2B1600C9

also the bios seems to think it would run better at 1333 rather than 1600.
put it back to default now...

the timings all seem alright, but i don't know that much about it.

I've now switched the PSU and the problems persist.

I booted on intels BITS diagnostic thing and everything seemed fine

EDIT: im not sure if it solved the restarting problem but it definitely didn't solve the freeze on install problem. and i ran memtest for ages doesn't that mean the voltage is okay?

Moreh2 · 6 Mar 2011 at 23:31

do you think i should mess around with the timings and voltage a little bit? the dram voltage right? obviously ill be safe with it. because now i think of it when the ram has been disconnected it never restarts. but then theres still the windows freezing problem...