System won't boot.....

[NotNoV8]

Here is my setup:

Epox 4PEA+
Intel P4 2.26
Corsair XM3200 512m CAS2
ATI Radeon 9700 Pro
WD 120 gig SE
Koolance watercooled
430w PS

The problem I'm having is that my system won't boot. First I tried loading a clean install of XP. The computer would not get past the initial formatting of the HD, it would just reboot. So I tried to install WinMe, it did reboot a few times before it finally installed on my HD. But when it came time to reboot the system so Windows could configure itself to my computer it just powers off completely.

I tried the fail safe mode in BIOS but that didn't work….the CPU temp reading from the BIOS reads 32c.

Could someone please give me some options to try to help me narrow down what component is faulty with my system?

The only component that I have replaced was the HD, it does the same thing.

[Greenedive]

Hey NotNoV8, Nice system!!!!
A couple things you might check....
1) Your voltage settings on your Mobob...I built an Asus P266E and the factory default was supposed to be 1.65 and the board came set at 1.80....would boot briefly and then shut right down.
2) This is elementary, but make sure your IDE cables are in the right way. The new 80 pin cables are color coded...the blue ALWAYS goes into the mobob, black is Master and Grey is Slave. Had one come in the other day where they had the Black in the mobob and it ran erratically for a while, and then quit. Ruined the mobob, usually this will only burn out the IDE controller....the whole motherboard was toast.
3) WD has alternate jumper settings for some of their hard drives and they will only work right with these settings. Go Here and scroll about 1/2 way down the page and try the appropriate setting.
Give these a check and let us know. <GD>

[NotNoV8]

Thanks Greenedive....

Well right now I have replaced the RAM, PSU, HD, and video card, system still reboots...I will check the volt settings later on this evening. I'm sure I tried different settings...have done so many hard to keep track.

I went an ordered another mobo, should be here this Wed. Well atleast I will have another system..

Thanks for the suggestions...I hope the mobo is the problem so I can RMA the thing.

[Greenedive]

NotNoV8,
You are doing it right.....swapping out one thing at a time, till you find the culprit. Hope by putting that new board in you find that is the problem. This is a brand new system, right? Almost has to be running that 9700 Pro....GREAT Choice!!!

The only component that I have replaced was the HD, it does the same thing.

When I read that I thought it was a system you'd been running and had just replaced the hard drive. If you swapped out the hard drive with one that you know works, then it surely isn't the WD jumpers. I'm thinking then it is either jumpering on the board or the board itself....or possibly you might want to pull the board and check carefully and see if it is possibly shorting itself on the case on the backside of the board. I stuck a Shuttle board together once that had a stripped screw going in from the bottom, I didn't realize it and never could get the board to boot...but they did replace the board with no questions asked. Good Luck with the new board, bet you're kinda anxious to get that Hummer up and running. <GD>
One other thing you might check is that the power supply is putting out the correct voltage. You can get an Antec Power Supply Tester Here
Whoops...didn't notice that you'd already swapped out the PSU....these testers are a great thing to have though.

[NotNoV8]

Yep everything is brand new...should get the mobo today...I hope. Damn Fed-Ex, never here when you want them.

I will try to pull out the board. Kinda hard because of the water cooling hoses. I bought the OEM CPU so I don't have a HSF. I can probably remove all the screws and move the board away from the case a bit. I will let you what the out come is either way.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

[NotNoV8]

Originally posted by Greenedive
Hey NotNoV8, Nice system!!!!
A couple things you might check....
1) Your voltage settings on your Mobob...I built an Asus P266E and the factory default was supposed to be 1.65 and the board came set at 1.80....would boot briefly and then shut right down.
<GD>

Well I finally figured out what the problem was....you hit the nail right on the head. It was the default voltage. It was at 1.5v and when I changed it to 1.575 board booted up no problems..LOL

I thought I changing it...guess not. Well wish I would have found this forum sooner, would have saved me a few hundred.

Thanks for all your help...very much appreciated. Time to play...:-S

[Greenedive]

Hey NotNoV8,
You're welcome!!!! Glad you got it sorted out. I really felt bad for you, having that hot a system sitting in front of you and not being able to boot up. Have fun with that baby!!!! <GD>