Netizen's new build not booting

[Netizen1]

Guys, I was almost done with my new build and tragedy struck!

A quick recap of my specs;
600W modular PSU
Asus P5Q-E
Intel Q9550
4 x 2GB Corsair Dominator
XFX 8800GS

So I installed everything into the case, took some quick photos, and then proceeded to test out the build by applying power with only the basic stuff in (mobo, cpu, ram, gpu). Success! Everything looked fine, checked BIOS options, monitored CPU Temp in BIOS for a couple minutes, and then I switched it off.

The case is a CM690 so I wanted to load it up with fans, 1 LED at the bottom, 2 BLACK at the top, case comes with one LED to the front

Proceed to test #2, power with all fans connected, and it seemed to be fine, but I didn't hear my POST beep, nor did the LCD come to life. Immediately removed the new connections (all the fans) and rebooted, still no dice

What did I do wrong?

Some quick searching around the net says that daisy chaining fans could've caused some sorta overload. But I've always installed fans like this, 2 on 1 molex etc.

So right now, I'm stuck. I've tried the following already;

1. Removed GPU for a weaker (known working) one - 8400GS
2. Removed all RAM, got BIOS error beeps indicating memory error
3. Once booted by accident, without 6-pin GPU power connected, lots of noise, so the board doesn't appear dead
4. Tried 2 other sticks of RAM
5. Tried 1 stick of RAM at a time
6. Tested Corsair in another PC, worked.
7. Reset BIOS via jumper and removing battery

One item to note, the board has the 8-pin ATX12V connector, but the PSU only has a 4-pin connector. Didn't think that a problem, because the system booted with the bare configuration. I was wondering if maybe the extra load (4 fans) caused my predicament? Nah, I doubt it. But maybe, just maybe, I need a bigger PSU???

Please help.

[Netizen1]

I only had a 430W Thermaltake, and I did try it without any success.

Looking to borrow a friend's 1000W to do the PSU test

If that fails as well, I guess I'll have to look for some board to test the CPU in

[Netizen1]

Hmm ok then. Get a board and see yes.

You have one I could borrow or what?

[Arcmanov]

Yeah...PSU test would be my next thing to do, but a 600W PSU should be more than enough
for that system plus the fans.  I did all kinda tests with a Antec 600W and never got any issues.

Its funny that the PSU or mobo would seemingly 'die' jus like that. 

I suggest taking the board out, and check, and RECHECK the seating of your HSF, and its backplate.  MAKE SURE the backplate
is totally insulated and isolated from ALL solder points.

Check the 24-pin connector on the PSU and make sure none of the wires did not 'jump out' of the housing
enough to not make contact with the 24-pin receptacle on the mobo.

Do a bootup test with no drives/peripherals attached...just the board, RAM, CPU, and GPU.  See what happens.

[Spazosaurus]

Seriously, some of the best things in life are free, like advice from this forum.

Also, loose the front panel switch connectors and use the onboard power switch to turn on the system. Disconnect any front panel usb's too.

[Netizen1]

@ Arc
I did most of that already, didn't check the 24-pin because the system was working for at least a couple hours before this incident
Backplate of cooler is plastic and came with a layer of "insulation". It's one of those liquid cooler things (I got pics for later) that was my big secret/surprise...

@ Cap'n
I took your advice (which was the same as a couple other persons) and removed the whole system from the case (along with all extra connectors, save the speaker to hear the POST beeps)

Ladies & Gentlemen, Praise the Lord, it came on...

Can I get a "AMEN!" ?

Yes, well I tested almost everything in my build, and while waiting for Mr. Saxman to arrive to assist with further troubleshooting efforts, I did what my lazy self didn't want to do in the first place. I removed the board from the case, and the system booted, well I got POST and I got into the BIOS, no OS to boot, yet!

Thanks for all the help guys, and thank God it came back to life.

Now let's see if it'll work when I re-install into the case.

[Arcmanov]

...and you know, I was just wondering out loud ( not even two minutes ago) if Netizen1 got through at all.

Glad to hear it.  It sucks to spend all that money and have your stuff just fail on you.

Liquid cooling you say.  Care to tell in a PM? 

[Redfish]

Ha! that's what you get for trying to go all Gundam with ur rig lol j/k

Glad you got it all fired up again man, hope it stays that way.

[TriniXaeno]

That would have been my advice, scrap that mofo down and start again.

The physical incarnation of the age old IT wisdom...."reboot"

Lay that sucker out on a table and connect the dots one at a time, testing for failure every step of the way. Particularly fund of placing the mobo on the very box it came in. Usually makes for a nice sturdy, non conductive surface.

Beating the dead horse cause it looks like you're on your way to a working system, but better late than never.

Looking forward to the scores. Hope I don't get bumped down any further on the fastest machines list.

[Nephilim]

i bet is the corsair one

[Nephilim]

would bet the h50

based on previous post he's a bit inexperienced with hardware and i believe the h50 is the only out of the box package that post results ,build quality and easy of set up, that would be given the exception to the rule 'don't buy packaged water cooling kits'

on the topic of water cooling would a car radiator post better cooling than a quad 120mm? i getting one for like 5

[Spazosaurus]

Car radiator ent neph? Let me know how that works out for you.

[Crixx_Creww]

i just built a NAS in the office and went thru that same headache of inexplicably not booting.

In the process found out that this board, a evga 780i, if the ram needs reseating, the machine powers on but doesnt display AND doesnt do any POST beeps, very ghey.

BUT the real annoyance came when i found out that the reason the machine wasnt booting, is because the flikking power connector for the power button on the case (Cooler Master HAF 922 ) is WRONGLY coloured!! steupsss!! so the orange is the red and the red is the orange
it piss me off cause i take down the damn rig and rebuild like 4 times, each time rewiring exactly as i should, then i just say hmm... i not colour blind but i wonder if this red and orange mix up
switch dem around, voila, working perfect.. steups.
THank goodness for the onboard power switch that let me know that yes it working, something just wrong with the power button and thats why i tried the connectors.

[Arcmanov]

Backplate of cooler is plastic and came with a layer of "insulation". It's one of those liquid cooler things (I got pics for later) that was my big secret/surprise...

Based on that, it can't be the H50, as the LGA-775 backplate (the one on the left) is not plastic...



Come to think of it...is a liquid cooler with a plastic backplate a good thing?
Every HSF I've ever used that required a backplate, the backplate itself has always been metal,
obviously because its more sturdy, doesn't flex as much, and is more durable.

[Netizen1]

LOL @ ALL

You guys can really bring a smile to someone's face...



The kit isn't Corsair, remember I got these parts almost a year now (*gasp*), can't believe I taking so long. The plastic is pretty sturdy, came with double sided tape attached to help keep it secure. It's the " IbuyPower IBP-Z001 "

I am impressed already for what it's worth, the BIOS shows temp around 30 C so far. Hoping that after the TC bakes properly it'll go down maybe a couple degrees so I can try to hit 4GHz

All will be shown in due time, I need time to put this baby back together, I hope it's smoother the 2nd time around

[Netizen1]

I just want to publicly acknowledge Saxman as the first one who suggested I take the board out and test it.

Thanks again Sax, you're the man!

Still working hard Mon - Fri, so this weekend we'll see if it behaves back in the case.   Makeshift insulation ftw~!

[Netizen1]

Update:

I got everything back into the case, along with some makeshift "insulation" to make sure it wasn't grounding off on any of the screws. Loaded everything as before, all fans etc. and no problems.

Got the DVD attached as well as my hard drive from the previous system, and as indicated by someone else in another thread (NGW I think said this)... Windows 7 loaded without a hitch, updated some drivers, a couple reboots, and the system is back as it was the last time I used it.

So that's it for this thread. I'll be completing the build and posting benchmarks in my other thread.

[TriniXaeno]

sweet, you're on your way to the big leagues.

update your profile info too why dontcha?

[Arcmanov]

Ahhh...very nice.

I'm a bit curious to see how it all comes together.  Especially the liquid cooling apparatus.

[Netizen1]

sweet, you're on your way to the big leagues.

update your profile info too why dontcha?

All in due time sir, all in due time