problem - computer turns on for 3 seconds then shuts off?
 

i think it might be the PSU..last night using the computer there were a few times where i noticed the computer hung for a second, i would feel a fan, im asuming PSU fan maybe? start up and get goin again, then the computer would kick back in

this morning i tried to turn it on and all its been doing is this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHxMCeliGWw

in the video you can see that the heatsink on the CPU kind of twitches when it gets the signal, it doesnt start spinning though and then everything shuts off again, if the heatsink fan there suppose to start and continue to spin?

this problem comes after installing a new secondary HD about 3 days ago?

I also pulled the ram, reinstalled it as well as loosned up the heatsink, blew it all out with compressed air then reinstalled the heatsink

spining fans for a few secs is normally PSU. changed one a couple days ago at work doing the same thing. (and fixed it..) not the first one I've changed doing the same thing.

could be your psu or your comp overheating. Make sure to clean the dust in the fan so it the air can flow through. I had a same problem about a year ago but my comp would turn off every few hours. I thought initially it was the psu so I replaced it and the comp was fine for about 1 day. I looked at the fan and it was dusty as hell and the vents were clogged, so the air wasnt flowing. I clearned it up and havent had any problems since. Hopefully that helps

Make sure the CPU fan is spinning fast.
Then replace the PS.
Then replace the MB.

its hard to see but in that video, once i press the power button, about 1 second after the lights come on, the CPU fan twitches, like it gets a little jolt but not enough to spin

then the computer dies, the fan at no time in that 3 second start up before it resets spins

What kind of PSU do you have?

I assume you tried unplugging the new harddrive and seeing if it turns on?

Also you mentioned you "loosened up the heatsink". I'm not sure entirely what you mean but if it isn't seated properly it won't be cooling the CPU and that will cause your problems. Before replacing anything get some thermal compound if you don't have any, take the HSF off and clean both sides with some q-tips and microfibre cloth. Thoroughly clean the HSF while you're at it. Apply the thermal compound (google the best way to do it if you don't know how - I like the bean/rice blob method) and re-attach the HSF. If you're problems persist it's most likely your PSU which will require more troubleshooting to determine.

its just some 330W PS i got with this computer about 2-3 years ago now

i unplugged the new HD, as well as the DVD drive as to take more strain off the PS but it just did the same thing and reset

k, now i pulled off the heatsink fan completely, the old thermal compound [im asuming thats what it is] is on the fan/CPU cover, pics:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...r/DSC04665.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...r/DSC04667.jpg

anything look wrong with that?

If it's heat-related, the thing won't be shutting down within a few seconds of powering up, especially if it's been off for a while - it won't shut down until it actually heats up.

yea thats what i figured.. as well if it was the heatsink problem, it would also start up and run until it overheated correct?

because as i said the heatsink fan only twitched on startup, it did not spin at all, but would a dead heatsink cause that 3 second reset?

just trying to plan out what i need to buy tom

You should be able to run it for a few minutes with no heat sink at all, assuming it's starting from dead-cold.

well now you need some new heat sink paste. and clean the old stuff off with some rubbing achohal or something.

^ exactly, even with no fan from sitting cold it should be fine for several minutes before crashing due to heat

yea fuck this stupid heatsink i broke the little arms that hold it in place so gonna have to buy a new one tom anyways, clean everything off and re-paste it

also gonna get a new PS, will report back tom

don't worry honda, computer parts can be annoying. when i first switched processor chips, i didn't know there was a latch to lock the pins in place, and i accidentally snapped a pin off. luckily this comp was about 4 years old, so the processor was cheap.

The stock intel heatsinks are terrible. The pushpins are the worst design ever conceived and I'm amazed they are still using them. I would suggest getting an OCZ Vendetta 2, they are the best/cheapest HSF out there imo (usually find it for about $30). Also get the Arctic Cooling MX-2 thermal paste.

As a general rule I would never remove and replace the HSF without cleaning and reapplying thermal compound. For the average person it's probably fine most of the time but with aftermarket heatsinks and overclocking it's better to be safe.

I don't have any recommendations for PSU as I haven't bought a PSU under 650W ever. For your needs it seems you are probably fine with ~400W considering your old one was only 330W.

Good luck!! let us know what you end up picking up.

lol funny you recomended the Vendetta cause thats what i got lol

anyways.. so i also bought a BFG 550W PS, replaced that, installed my new heatsink, as well as a couple new fans, tried it

no picture..

so i took it upstairs and took out my 8800GTS from the other comp and tried it in mine, turns out the video card was fried too, dunno if it was from a power surge or whatever caused the PS to crap out as well?

anyways.. so now im in the market for a new video card too lol, any recomendations?
the comp:

intel core 2 6420 @ 2.13ghz 2.13ghz
4 gigs of ram
550W PSU now

looking at this:

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...ustomerReviews

Yeah, my guess would be it's a motherboard problem, and caused by the above. I have dealt with several systems that had the exact same behaviour as what you have.

The 4870 is a good card for your system I think unless you are planning to upgrade the whole thing anytime soon in which case I would recommend spending more on a card that you can continue to use later on (like a 5000 series ATI card or GTX 285). Or you could just spend a bit more and upgrade to a 4890 or GTX260 (~$200)

Do you guys think that I still could be the MB?

Because it seemed to run fine with the 8800 in it, but could there be underlying issues?
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Most likely

Why don't you take the PS and try to use it on another computer. That might isolate out if PS is really the issue...

Well as soon as I swapped out the PS for the new one I was getting constant power, no more resets

but then I was also gettng no video

swapped in the 8800 then I got video and it seemed to run normal
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try all these parts in a different machine. did the old video card have dedicated power running to it or did it go through the mobo?

Dedicated power, as did the 8800 that worked
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