Computer keeps turning on and off repeatedly

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Gump919

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Jan 7, 2015
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I recently bought a new MOBO for an older computer, which I have had some issues with before. It's been a while since I've fiddled with it, but now I thought I would try a new MOBO. (MSI G41M-P33)

My issues is that the computer keeps turning off and on. I've managed to get to the Windows loading screen, but it only just shows, then it restarts again. I even managed to open Windows Repair, but it told me it couldn't resolve the issue. When everything is plugged in, it will usually only boot for 4-5 seconds before powering off, then powering on by itself again after a couple of seconds.

Anyway. I've stripped the computer, so that only the CPU and the PSU is connected to the motherboard, and it seems to boot without restarting. However. Whenever I add a block of RAM (I have four blocks of the same type Corsair CM2X1024-8500C5D) it will return to the original restarting issue. It doesn't matter which block I insert, or which slot I put it in.

I feel like ordering new RAMs. Preferably something a bit more powerful, maybe DDR3, but I want to be sure that the RAMs absolutely are the problem before I start investing more money.

My question is: How can I be sure that the RAMs are broke, and I didn't get a faulty MOBO or maybe I have a faulty PSU or CPU? Is it possible that either MOBO, PSU or CPU could be the cause of the issue, even though it boots fine when those are the only components attached?

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad
MOBO: MSI G41M-P33
RAM: 4x1GB CM2X1024-8500C5D (The MOBO only takes two DDR2 or two DDR3 at a time)
PSU: OCZ500SXS 500W
GPU: Asus EAH4870
 
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Your problem is that when changing motherboard you can wind up with incompatible drivers running on the old install and get stuck in this loop.

It's very difficult to fix.

Booting your machine *without ram* simply wont work (it will hang, I'm surprised you'd get anything on the screen tbh). With the ram your machine is trying to boot but failing. I'm fairly certain this is software related.

First option: Hit 'F8' just before windows logo appears to get options, and try booting in safe mode. If that works, go into control panel, then device manager and *uninstall all motherboard related drivers*, reboot and windows *should load and start reinstalling everything*. Make sure you've got the disk for your new mobo handy.

If that doesn't work, as a test to prove the hardware is ok, download the ISO for Ubunut (www.ubuntu.com) and burn to a dvd, set the machine in the bios to boot from the dvd drive first (assuming you have a dvd drive in this machine ofc, if not you can also try using a memory stick). The machine will load into Ubuntu linux from the disk. If that works the new mobo and so on is fine.

At that point, you have a choice of either reinstalling a fresh copy of windows, or attempting using a startup disk to repair the faulty drivers. Hopefully you wont need to do anything so drastic however.
 
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i suggest getting your hdd putting it in another pc and backing up the stuff you need and then wiping it put the wiped hdd in your pc and install windows fresh then transfer the files back to your hdd , or put your old mobo back in uninstall all drivers then put in your new mobo and it should boot
 
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I remember clearing the HDD before I left it some months ago, and installing windows but I might have installed drivers aswell. (I have nothing on the HDD I need) Would booting with the Windows install disc, and formatting the whole thing work out for me?

And can I boot that with no RAM inserted?
 
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you cant boot without ram try it it will just beep at you put some ram in then go to the bios if it doesnt shut off then you know the issue is the drivers on your hdd , so make sure thats the only issue and then use windows instilation disk and format the hdd and install fresh os should work
 
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Thanks, I'll try that! Problem is booting with RAMs inserted. It just keeps restarting, but I did make it work at one point. So I guess I'll just keep trying different combinations of RAM until I can get to boot the disc.
 
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Oh! Right I get you- so you can't even load a boot disk with the ram in?

Could be a memory problem then. Safest and easest option, try booting the machine with only 1 ram stick in. If that works add the others back one at a time.
 
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yea lol i sorta got confused for a second as well
 
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That's what I'm saying. Usually the PC wont even boot with any RAMs in it. However, sometimes it will boot for a little while, enough for me to get to the BIOS or maybe boot a disc. I'm currently burning a new Windows disc, I'll get back to you once I've found out whether I can boot it or not.

 
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ok i think the main issue is that your ram has gone bad because your pc should not shut off in the bios since the bios is not really connected to the hdd the bios is soldered to the motherboard if you can borrow ram from another pc to test do that but at least one of the four ram sticks should work its highly unlikely that all of them broke
 
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Failing that it could also be that his new Mobo is faulty.... it happened to me once in the past so it's a possibility,
 
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It does NOT shut off in the BIOS. It only shuts off at the very beginning, the first 3-4 seconds. Sometimes it get through anyway though, so I'm now doing a clean windows install. I want to buy new RAM anyway, I just want to be sure that there isn't anything else that's faulty.
 
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Surprise! A new issue has occured! When the computer is supposed to restart during the install, it wont boot back up the installation. It just goes to blank screen, no response. Should I hard-restart the machine, or will that cancel the ongoing install?
 
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Provided it actually *isn't* doing anything (e.g. there's no activity showing on the HDD light or anything), then resetting should be fine and it should continue from where it was before the restart...

Either way doesn't sound like it's going to do much as it is so not sure what else you can do really.
 
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OK! I've got windows up and running, and I installed the drivers for the MOBO. The PC still keeps restarting a couple of times on startup, but ususally it boots succesfully. However, sometimes it seems to boot, but then just goes to black screen, so I have to hard-reset it again. I've plugged the GPU in, no problem, but I'm hesitant to plugging in another block of RAM.

We've come a long way, but the continuous restarting is upsetting to me, I'd like to know what could be the cause.!
Thanks so far for your help!

I suspect I have a faulty RAM, but how can I know for sure?

EDIT: I added another block of RAM, and the results are still the same. Sometimes it will boot, the fans will run, but no *beep* or response on the screen. Other times it will go on/off/on/off/on for at couple of times before finally booting.
 
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Well. That sucks! I tried clearing cmos, nothing new. "and stuff" What do you mean? What else can I try?
I've contacted MSI customer support.

 
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the absolute last thing to try is by taking the mobo out of the case and anything else which is needed to boot the pc , then boot it (vitally without the pc case) , if you have a cardboard box e.g. mobo box just put it ontop of that (dont put it directly on floor or carpet). yea this may work since in some cases there becomes a grounding issue ( at the same time try a diff psu if you have another one if not not the end of the world
 
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