End of my rope!

Read my epic saga here...
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=64556
And here...
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=66423
And a video of the symptoms here...
http://www.putfile.com/media.php?n=computerproblem

Okay, here's what I've replaced so far and what I replaced them with...
Case (Thermaltake Tsunami)
Power Supply (Ultra X-Connect)
Graphics Card (ATI Radeon X700 Pro PCI-E)

and now....

Motherboard (Asus P5WD-2 Premium)

As you may remember (or have just read) I returned my Intel D915PBL to Intel 4 times and each time got a replacement. I stated in the previous threads that I tested all components with another mobo, but I kinda lied. The ONLY component I haven't tested in another machine is the Intel CPU fan/heatsink. I didn't think this could be the problem, but since I just received my new Asus P5WD-2, I tested it and I am experiencing the same problem. Could the CPU fan be causing this problem? I am seriously at the end of my rope about this. I have been without a decent computer for almost 2 months. I'm seriously considering selling these possessed computer parts!

 

If you have a fan with a 3pin header the same as the cpu fan,plug the cpu fan into a syst fan header and the other fan into the cpu fan header this should send a good speed reading to the mobo to let it know theres nothing wrong with the cpu fan and may allow it to boot

PS I feel your pain,it feels the same as me not being able to get a corndog and corn maize to make the recipe you pm'd me,let me know if it works.

 

Hi again Corndog ... my sympathy's.. I'm still going with an earthing somewhere this may seem a stupid question but have you installed ALL components in another case, it seems as thats about all that is left as you seem to have covered everything else. And the CPU fan I'm with you as it is not running long enough for your processor to get that hot to switch off. keep us informed.

 

Tried switching fans but no luck: good idea though. I'll run you through the exact process I went through to replace the mobo. First, I tested the mobo out sitting on the static bag with only processor, cpu fan, memory, and power switches in place. It worked fine, and the cpu fan spun normally. Then I installed the mobo in the case, again with the bare minimum, and that's when the problem occurs. When I hit the power switch this time, the same symptoms happen again, with all fans momentarily turning, and then shutting off. The really weird thing is, I have replaced the case from the original case that had this problem, so I am totally lost and frustrated right now. Oh, and when I try to remove the mobo from the case and again start it up with the bare minimum, it's dead. My head is seriously spinning right now. I am starting to think my hardware is cursed.

 

Have you tried bridging the power switch pins on the mobo with negative drive screwdriver instead of using a switch?

 

Yep, same problem. Does anyone know of any other sites I could post my problem on? Not that you guys haven't been extremely helpful, but I would like as many opinions as I can get.

Thanks!

 

I wonder if the coating on the antistatic bag ur using can conduct enough electricity to cause a problem?try a peice of cardboard

theres loads I aint a member of any others,when checking for probs with my hardware I check the msi forum and amd forum.

 

yeh antistatic bags are treated as conductive,dont know why I never came accross this before

http://www.pccomputernotes.com/esd/esd2.htm

have you tried on a peice of cardboard?

 

Yeah, tried it on several different surfaces with no luck.

 

right please dont get angry dog man,We have a working psu,brand new mobo,one working stick of known good memory,known good vid card,these are the only parts connected,we have reset the cmos "again I know"it powers for a split second then shuts down.

The ram is rammed home in its socket,we recieve no beeps,how many difeerent ram sticks have you tried,gonna read the whole thing again

Hmmm looks like the cpu,to double check you havnt checked it in another board and all the stuff halo said.

 

I am not getting angry at all, just extemely frustrated. I have tried the CPU in a different mobo at work, but I did NOT try the heatsink/fan. To update, I tried switching fan plugins around, and now when I hit the power button, there is about a two or three second delay before the fans spin real quick. It's really strange...

 

Just a question, they sent you a new motherboard 4 times? Was it the same one? How can you tell? Perhaps they sent you the same one each time?

I'm grasping at straws here, but have you tried a different power source?

I have ran into issues where I have fixed a computer, works great. Having a good time! Then the customer takes it home and has major issues. I've seen where the mouse crashes the computer, I've seen that the power coming to the computer was very dirty (took it back to work, worked great, took it to the house, it didn't.).

 

I am fairly certain they sent me 4 different mobos (same model). They were all different serial numbers, so I don't think they were all the same board. I did buy a brand new Ultra X-Connect PSU (500W), and I have experienced the same symptoms at work. :*( Again, though, the main opinion I want from you is whether or not the CPU fan could be causing this problem...could it be shorting out something? This is bugging me big time.

 

As you earlier said when booting out of case it worked fine so that puts the fan out of the question, I think I may have said this before, when you power up OUT of the case are you using the same wall socket and multi plug as when it is IN the case ??

 

Yeah, same wall socket. And once I've had it in the case and take it out, it doesn't work either. Weird.

I'm sure it doesn't have the time to heat up that quickly, so I don't think that's the reason.

Ahh, this leads me to my update: I tested the CPU fan and the processor together on a different, preinstalled mobo on an HP computer at work, and they worked fine together, so I am totally stumped right now. I'm thinking its gotta be the case....but two in a row?

Yep, tried multiple cables.

Thanks again for all your ideas to try guys...I am seriously considering selling my components on eBay labelled "haunted" or "cursed"

 

Okay, NewEgg's gonna send me a new Asus mobo, and now that I've tested my cpu fan/processor on a different mobo, I'm convinced it's the case or the psu. Since I have also tested the psu, I am fairly certain it's the case. Do you guys think I could get Thermaltake to send me a new one under their warranty, since it is my belief it is causing all these motherboards to fry? Hmmmm. The eBay idea is looking better and better...

 

Well that about covers it all now the heatsink seems ok, which as you say that only leaves the case, can you lay computer down and place mobo on an insulated surface and then boot. This will help diagnose if the mobo is earthing out and if OK maybe the PSU is playing up..

 

Well, as I said before, when I first got the motherboard, I tested everything (including the psu) outside of the case on my table, and it worked fine. I'm almost positive it's the case, so I'm gonna contact Thermaltake.

 

lol lol I meant can you place the mobo on insulated surface in the case if you lay it side on...

 

Well, since it won't even work out of the case now, I can't really test it like that.

But, I have begun a new stage in the saga! I am currently in the process of exchanging most of my parts for new ones. Since I can't quite seem to determine the problem, I am simultaneously getting RMAs on the motherboard, case, PSU, and the processor! I really need this PC for freshman year of college, and I can't deal with any more downtime. I did explain my dilemma to each and every company, and so far, so good on getting RMA approvals!

So, stay tuned!

 

Okay guys,

I figured out the problem! The wiring in my house was to blame....figures. I knew my components were okay...

Anyway, got everything hooked up at work while they're working on the house wiring, and I have a bit of a problem.

I have the Asus P5WD2 Premium mobo and it works fine, but when the computer gets to the Windows logo to boot, it restarts immediately. (You can barely see the Windows logo fading in before the reboot). Also when I try to put in my Windows disc I get BSOD'd telling me to check recently installed hard drives and hard drive controllers...so I'd guess something's weird with the HDD. The other weird thing is that, when I restart, I get the "Windows did not start correctly last time...yada yada...." screen, and select "Last known good configuration" or try Safe Mode, but all yield the same results. Also, my mobo has 2 Ultra ATA IDE ports and one Ultra DMA. I have my hard drive plugged into the primary Ultra ATA ports, and my DVD-RW in the other...

Any clues? I might try a different drive...

 

Okay, I got it figured out...the IDE port I plugged my optical drive into was only meant for hard drives. I had to plug my DVD-RW drive into the Ultra DMA port. Everything's AOK!

 

Glad to see/hear that you got the problems solved!