Gigabyte P67A-UD4-B3 Rev1.1 Motherboard loops on startup

[sbp]

NZXT Phantom Enthusiast Black Full Tower Case

Intel Core i5 2500K Unlocked, 1155

Gigabyte P67A-UD4-B3 Rev1.1 Motherboard.

Corsair Hydro Series H70 High-performance(BRACKETS ARE BROKEN SO IM USING STOCK COOLER INSTEAD)

Gigabyte GTX 560 OC 1GB GDDR5 Dual DVI Mini HDMI Out PCI-E Graphics Card

8GB DDR3 1600MHz (2x4GB) Corsair Vengeance Blue

OCZ Agility Series 60GB 2.5" SATA-II Solid State Hard Drive

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM

Corsair 750W HX Modular PSU

Asus Xonar DG 5.1 PCI Surround Sound Card

Tenda Wireless-G PCI Adapter


Ive started my build again just using my PSU, Motherboard, CPU and stock cooler and Memory

Ive placed a flat cardboard sheet on the floor which Ive placed my motherboard and PSU.  Also attaching the CPU, stock cooler and the memory. When I turn on the system I get a blink of lights turn on (PHASE LED) and fans starting up for 1 second and then turning off immediately. I dont understand whats going wrong. The whole computer was working 5 minutes ago before when I was using the h70 cooler, but I decided to take it off since the temperatures were getting high and I think the contact was not great between the cooler and the CPU. So i decided to use the stock coolers.

Why is it not working with the stock cooler? I think I am sure it is not short circuiting because ive placed all the components onto the cardboard and I am not using the case (except the power switch). Could it be that I have applied too much arctic silver 5 paste onto the CPU? Should I clean it and reapply the paste? I have no idea whats going on.

EDIT: I have changed the PSU and the same thing is happening, so im quite sure its not a powersupply issue.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

You sound like you have a bit of a problem there.  Is there any chance that something else got damaged when the brackets broke for the H70 ? Either on top ofr beneath the motherboard.

Have you made sure that you have both the 24 pin and the 8  pin 12v connectors inserted properly ?

[sbp]

Yes I have inserted both the 24pin and 8pin cables from the power supply to the motherboard.
 
How can I check to see if its damaged? Look for scratches or..? Also could it be that I have applied too much thermal paste or that the thermal paste has gotten onto the motherboard which may stop it from powering up? Any help will be appreciated?

[Dark Mantis]

Either of these could be the problem.

Thermal paste wise you need to start with it all cleaned off. Just a piece of dry kitchen towel will work or add a drop of Isopropylalcohol will help but be careful with it. Once both surfaces are spotless apply a small amount about the size of a grain of rice to the centre of the CPU and carefully bed the heatsink onto it.

If you are using the stock cooler make sure that all 4 locating posts are locked into position and firm. This is a common mistake.

Make sure that you remember to connect the fan to the motherboard.

If you still have a problem post back.

[sbp]

I will try and do that, here is something i uploaded if it helps clarify my problem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EpcCT7Ja10

[Dark Mantis]

Thanks but not a lot of help really. I thionk that the next thing is to clear the CMOS and then try again. Please follow these directions exactly.


Remove the power cable from the mains supply and then press the power switch on the case for a few seconds just to drain any residual energy in the PSU capacitors.

Once done remove the motherboard battery for at least one hour before replacing it.
 
Next plug back into the mains supply and boot.
 
You will now need to enter the BIOS by pressing DEL and load Optimised BIOS Defaults.

Make any other changes to the BIOS settings to suit your self like disabling the floppy drive, disabling the full screen logo and making the HDD the primary boot device and then press F10 to save and exit.

[sbp]

Thanks but not a lot of help really. I thionk that the next thing is to clear the CMOS and then try again. Please follow these directions exactly.


Remove the power cable from the mains supply and then press the power switch on the case for a few seconds just to drain any residual energy in the PSU capacitors.

Once done remove the motherboard battery for at least one hour before replacing it.

should this enable the pc to run for over 1 second before turning straight back off again?

[Dark Mantis]

Well that is what we are aiming for. Don't lose hope yet we are only just beginning to look into the problem. As it is late now I would suggest doing an extended clear on the CMOS and leave the battery out overnight.

[sbp]

Thanks but not a lot of help really. I thionk that the next thing is to clear the CMOS and then try again. Please follow these directions exactly.


Remove the power cable from the mains supply and then press the power switch on the case for a few seconds just to drain any residual energy in the PSU capacitors.

Once done remove the motherboard battery for at least one hour before replacing it.
 
Next plug back into the mains supply and boot.
 
You will now need to enter the BIOS by pressing DEL and load Optimised BIOS Defaults.

Make any other changes to the BIOS settings to suit your self like disabling the floppy drive, disabling the full screen logo and making the HDD the primary boot device and then press F10 to save and exit.

The motherboard PHASE LED lights and PSU/CPU Cooler fans still keeps flashing for 1 second before turning off.

[Dark Mantis]

The next thing is to remove the motherboard form the case and test it on the workbench.

Make sure that you observe anti-static precautions.

Lay some cardboard or use the motherboard box that is non-conductive on the worktop and remove the
motherboard/CPU/heatsink/fan/buzzer/one stick of memory and PSU
from the case and put it on the cardboard.

Add the keyboard and now I know you haven't got any graphics but try and boot.
The system should try and then fail emitting a series of beeps. Please post what sounds it makes.

[sbp]

The next thing is to remove the motherboard form the case and test it on the workbench.

Make sure that you observe anti-static precautions.

Lay some cardboard or use the motherboard box that is non-conductive on the worktop and remove the
motherboard/CPU/heatsink/fan/buzzer/one stick of memory and PSU
from the case and put it on the cardboard.

Add the keyboard and now I know you haven't got any graphics but try and boot.
The system should try and then fail emitting a series of beeps. Please post what sounds it makes.

Ive tried this before and it does not work. Just tried it now again except using 1 stick of memory and the same thing happens (using the exact same setup as shown in the video above)

[Dark Mantis]

What slot is your memory stick in ?

The next thing would be to check for any bent pins on the CPU socket. Please follow these instructions and take som every clear macro closeup shots preferably without  the flash but good lighting.

Take all the usual anti-static precautions.

Very carefully remove the heatsink and fan. Probably a slight twisting motion is best to release the two as the thermal paste can act like a glue.

Once off remove the CPU taking extreme care both physically and electrically(static) and place somewhere safe.

Make sure that the lighting is very good and even.

Now scrutinise the socket for any pins that are out of alignment, even slightly.
If in any doubt whatsoever take a couple of macro (close up) photos of the socket and post them on here for us to check.

Also look at the bottom of the CPU at the lands (little copper circles) and make sure that there is a mark in each somewhere near the centre.
If there are any missing marks or any of the pins are obviously bent then that is your problem.

Before refitting the CPU clean off all residue of the old thermal paste and the same on the heatsink and then apply a small amount (about the size of a grain of rice) to the centre of the CPU once it is inserted in the socket.

[sbp]

I dont think that the CPU pins are bent in anyway because I previously used the corsair H70 which worked but the contact between that h70 and the CPU was not great because 1 pin was broken and the 2nd was slightly loose so my temperatures were getting quite high (80+ at idle) so i switched it off immediately and decided to use the original heatsink. I took off the H70 and removed the thermal paste, reapplied it with the original heatsink and then it stopped working (this was within 5-10minutes).

Here are those pictures I cannot see any bent pins on the motherboard or the cpu. take a look.


  


I think I may need to RMA the motherboard. If I do how long do you think the process will take? (I live just outside central london)
    

[Dark Mantis]

I took off the H70 and removed the thermal paste, reapplied it with the original heatsink and then it stopped working

Did you use fresh new thermal paste when you reset the heatsink after the H70 ?

The photos are not that good to be honest and it is difficult to make certain whether any pins are bent or not but looking at the lands underneath the CPU there are several that are suspect to say the least.

[sbp]

These should be better I think