630i/7100 New construction, will not boot

[Bruce A. Frank]

I just assembled a new computer using this motherboard, Intel PD 940 3.20ghz CPU, 2 each of Crucial 2048MB PC5400 DDR2 667 Mhz RAM (4 gigs total), Hatachi 500gb serial ATA HD 7200/16MB/SATA-3G, and an LG Super-Multi DVD. For setup purposes I'm using an old Packard Bell keyboard and an HP Ultra VGA 1080 monitor connected to on-board video output.

With the installation CD that came with the board (XFX Motherbgoard series with intergrated GeForge Graphics version 16.08 ) inserted on power up I get a message on the screen that says "Reboot with media in selected device or insert media in selected devce and hit any key." When I hit a key the line repeats itself. After a few seconds, 30 at most, the computer cuts itself off.

Trying to boot with the Windows 2000 OS disk in the drive has gone as far as "checking hardware" before the the computer cuts off. So it appears that the DVD drive is recognized and it is reading the disk, but something is causing the computer to cut off after a few seconds. With the power supply "ON", when I push the "ON" switch in the front of the tower housing the computer cuts itself off before any message comes on the screen. Turning the power supply off, then on with imediate turning on of the front switch takes longer to cut off...giving time for the "checking hardware " message to come on the screen.

It has been a long time since I have built a computer and I have forgotten a lot, but I don't know what is causing the board to cut itself off. Two days and I cannot figure how to get the system up!

[XFX Tech]

Start the computer and go straight in to BIOS. Go to H/W Monitor and watch the CPU temperature. According to Intel, http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL95W, the thermal spec for that CPU is 64C. If it is shutting off after 30 seconds than my guess is that the CPU heatsink isn't seated correctly. Sometimes on of the posts that goes through the board doesn't get clicked in correctly and it makes the heatsink sit at an angle which doesn't transfer heat well. If you are reusing an old heatsink than dried up thermal paste can also cause an overheating issue.

If the CPU temperature is fine than the next place I would go is to try another power supply or try this one in another system. Sometimes they just can't handle a load.

[Bruce A. Frank]

This is one of my problems. There is no literature with this CompUSA package and I do not know how to get to the bios. Also, the heat sink is brand new...a phenomenal piece of equipment with heat pipes and a 4" diameter fan!!! (It has been 7 or 8 years since I built my last computer...water cooling was the "in" thing then. I am blown away by this monster cooling setup). Heat sink grease has oozed from all four sides of the sink-to-processor contact junction.

[XFX Tech]

Del at the first BIOS screen will get you in. What is the exact model of the cooler that you have? Link?

[DanD]

Del at the first BIOS screen will get you in. What is the exact model of the cooler that you have? Link?

@XFX Tech

he is kidding u.

[Bruce A. Frank]

Kidding me!? Hmm. The cooling fan is the Vortex 752 (Mfg. by Cooler Master Co., Ltd) claiming to fit Intel Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Duo snd AMD Phenom using sockets the LGA 775 and AMD K8-AM2. Copper base, aluminum fins and two heat pipes. Fan dimensions are 92X25 MM. Runs at 800 to 2200 rpm. Fan is running.

http://www.coolermaster.com/products/product.php?language=us&act=detail&id=2566

[XFX Tech]

That cooler does look like it would be difficult to not put on correctly. What were those temps in BIOS getting to? If they are normal than check that power supply out. If it is fine than we can take a look at the board.

[Bruce A. Frank]

You are correct about the cooling setup. I thought that maybe in the process of shifting things around while tightening the heat sink down I had messed up the heat sink compound between the CPU and the sink. I bought some more and got ready to remove the sink and put another dollop on the CPU.

There was no literature on the heat sink package that suggested anything about orientation in operation. But, while looking at it I realized that this heat sink was not likely the best for optimum cooling when mounted on edge. The heat pipe design in this unit would clearly work best oriented so that the fan was above. This would allow the fluid in both pipes to vaporize, rise into the fins, cool and condense and run back down into the lower part of the pipe embedded in the copper contact block.

The way I had oriented the heat sink unit the coolant in the tubes could not flow back into the contact plate area. As I said, this unit is not an optimized one for mounting so that the fan is on edge. There is no way for both tubes to circulate coolant in a tower case application. I rotated the unit so that one of the tubes could vaporize, condense and recirculate fluid back the the contact block. This appears to be adequate since remounting the heat sink fan/fin/heat-pipe unit the computer has run continuously for 24 hours with no self activated shutdown.

The heat sink grease/compound did appear to be well distributed between the CPU and the copper contact plate. I have to conclude that the orientation was the only problem. Thanks for the input about the heat sink contact. That got me thinking about how the heat pipe had to work. It appears that the heat sink can be, and was, miss-installed.

Now I have gotten far enough along such that the OS system has decided that I have no internet connection, though it updated itself from that connection, rebooted and now says the connection is not there. I'll be back with that problem if it doesn't shape up in another day or two. BUt, overheating shut down problem is solved! Thanks!!!