Installed new motherboard, CPU, RAM, and graphics card. Computer starts up for a few seconds and then turns off.

[Cloudedmind]

This weekend I decided to update my computer after 6 years. I bought a new motherboard, a ASRock 970A-G/3.1, and an AMD FX 6350 CPU, a Geforce GT 730 64bit graphics card, a Kingston HyperX Fury 4GB RAM, and a Antec 302 case. I'm using my previous power supply a Cooler Master Extreme Power Plus 500W, as well as two 1TB harddrives, all of which are 1-3 years old. I believe the power supply is about 3 years old.

Initially I hooked everything up into the case, and powered everything on. The two provided case fans, the stock fan for the CPU, and an external DVD drive all came on for about 5 seconds before turning off. The fan on my graphics card didn't turn on. I thought that might be the problem so I doubled checked that it was securely fitted and tried again. Again the same problem.

I removed the motherboard from the case and over the next few hours I tried several suggestions that I found online. I unplugged all non-essentials, and only left the graphics card, CPU, power supply, and one still of RAM installed. Again the CPU fan would start up, but then stop after a few seconds. I removed the graphics card and tried again, but same result. I triple checked that all my plugs were connected correctly, the 20+4 plug, and the 4+4 plug for the CPU, as well as the power switch. I even uninstalled the CPU and reinstalled it, but I keep getting the same result. Also tried resetting the CMOS, but nothing.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[alexoiu]

Try testing the power supply: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FWXgQSokF4
See if a fan connected to it does spin without stopping.

 

[Cloudedmind]

Try testing the power supply: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FWXgQSokF4
See if a fan connected to it does spin without stopping.

Hi alexoiu, the power supply works. When I plugged it back into my old system everything started up fine.

An update though, my graphics card is not the problem. I plugged it into my sisters computer and it worked perfectly, then plugged it back into the new motherboard and it worked, minus the turning on and turning off with everything else. Not sure what was going on last night, but at least I can scratch that off my list. I'm also inclined to believe it's not my RAM either. I did put mine in my sisters comp since the slots are also DDR3, but got a blue screen error, but I think that might be because my RAM is to new for her older system. Even still when I plugged my sisters RAM into my system I still got the same problem.

Unfortunately, I couldn't try swapping CPU's since her appears to be an Intel socket, and mine is AMD. So now I've got two options, get a new motherboard and see if that works or get a new CPU. I'm somewhat leaning towards getting a new CPU. I checked the CPU support list of my motherboard again and it looks like I have an updated version of one of the supported CPU's. Is it possible that the BIOS needs to be updated before it'll work with my CPU? Would something like that keep the computer from even staying on?

 

[alexoiu]

Hi,
The CPU is supported, so I'd say that it's not a BIOS version.
http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/970A-G3.1/?cat=CPU

If starting the board with only CPU and CPU fan installed, no other wires/components (shortly touch with a screwdriver the 2 pins on the motherboard corresponding to the case power switch), does the CPU fan spin without restarting?

 

[Cloudedmind]

Hi,
The CPU is supported, so I'd say that it's not a BIOS version.
http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/970A-G3.1/?cat=CPU

If starting the board with only CPU and CPU fan installed, no other wires/components (shortly touch with a screwdriver the 2 pins on the motherboard corresponding to the case power switch), does the CPU fan spin without restarting?

I could laugh, I could cry, I could kick myself. After my last reply I ended up doing almost what you just suggested. I realized I hadn't checked to see if the case was the problem. So I used my old case that I know works and just plugged in it's power switch and the speaker, and hit the power button. Surprise surprise, the darn thing turned on and stayed on. So either the power button or the wiring for the power button is faulty in the new case.

Unfortunately, this leads me to a new problem. So now everything turns on and the computer starts to start up, and I can see the Windows loading screen (I have XP), but then a blue screen with words I can't read flashes really quickly and I get taken to the there's been an error etc, and I have the option to start in the different safe mode, or start windows normally. Hitting start windows normally just takes me back through the same process. I haven't tried starting in safe mode, but will do that now and see if maybe I can install the drivers for the motherboard and update everything and see if that works.

If you have any other suggestions alexoiu, I'd appreciate it. Thanks for your help!

 

[alexoiu]

No problem. Try setting SATA to IDE in BIOS.

 

[Cloudedmind]

Sorry, I didn't get back to you sooner, but that was exactly what I needed to do. And after you mentioned it I vaguely remember having to do this once before. Anyway computer is up and running breadboard style. Now just to see if the case can be fixed or if I should just return it and get a new one. But for the most part I will consider this portion solved. Thanks for all your help alexoiu!

 

[alexoiu]

You're welcome. Glad it helped. Good luck!