No BIOS Errors - Yet is something very wrong

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Wraith

Geek Trainee
I recently decided to get a new gaming computer, and decided i would build it myself.
The components i got were:
- 8800GTS graphics card
- Q6600 Quad core 2.4Ghz CPU
- 4GB (2 x 2GB) RAM
- 320 and 500 GB hard drives
- Asus P5K-R motherboard
- Antec Sonata case
- Zalman CPU fan

My problem is that i have installed everything in the case and turned it on, the CPU fan started up, spun for a bout 30 seconds, then turned off. It then started spinning again and carries on spinning, though nothing appears on the monitor and no BIOS beeps are heard. The only sign of life is the CPU fan.

There is no OS on it yet.
Any ideas as to what might be causing it not to boot?
 
Wraith said:
My problem is that i have installed everything in the case and turned it on, the CPU fan started up, spun for a bout 30 seconds, then turned off.
Click to expand...

Modern CPUs shut themselves off when they get too hot. Have you applied thermal grease?
 
I used the thermal grease that came with the Zalman CPU fan.
I don't think it is overheating, because there is a 30 second period before the fan restarts in which nothing happens, ie nothing appearing on the monitor and no BIOS beeps. Once the fan has restarted once, it continues to run without restarting again.

Is there any chance that some of the hardware is not compatible?
 
Your motherboard has the Intel P35 chipset. That chipset has an issue that shuts down the system when starting, and after a few seconds it starts again and everything should be fine. It should happen at every startup, though.

What power supply do you have? It could be possible that your graphics card doesn't get enough juice.
 
as you didn't include any details about the PSU i have to ask (as RH did) what PSU are you using with this system ?

if the PSU came "free" with the PC case then it's safe to assume it's generic, & generic is usually crap, actual wattage doesn't mean much, as, i've heard of a crappy 450W PSU being able to power less stuff than a decent 300W PSU

Edit: upon searching the net i've discovered your PSU is 380W which may not be enough to power the server grade Q6600, i would think you would need at least a 500W PSU, however, don't get a crappy PSU, personally, i have a 3Ghz single core Intel, & i have an Antec TP 550W PSU (to allow me to upgrade)

basically get the best PSU you can afford
 
My power supply is an Earthwatt 500W.
I think this is my power supply here.

RHochstenbach: It does this every time it starts, but i have yet to see a bios screen or any type of output, so i am assuming it is not that bug.

I also tried to boot the system with a basic 128Mb graphics card that needed no power supply connection, and still had the same issue.

Thanks for the suggestions though.
 
First I would reset the CMOS to factory with your motherboard's reset jumper. Also check and be sure all of the tertiary power headers are connected to the motherboard, and to the video card. Afterwards, if it's still not booting I would think the best approach at this point is to test the components one at a time to see which is causing the issue. Try booting the system with one RAM stick at a time. If you can, try swapping out the video card or even the CPU. Also do a visual inspection for bad capacitors, as they can also cause the symptoms you're seeing.
 
No, Rhoch is correct. The mobo has the p35 chipset which will do that. Everytime it doesn't successfully boot up it will double boot the next time. Also everytime you change the overclock on your proc it will doubleboot. But once you get the settings correct and don't fumble with the BIOS it will stop. Go ahead and load the OS on the drive and you will be good to go. I'm guessing you're also using a SATA drive, but one of those HDDs isn't IDE is it? If it is make sure you set the boot priority as well.
 
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