GA-EP45-UD3P Problem...please help!

[spaceace414]

I have just sent in a support request, but am hoping that maybe someone here has seen this issue.

I have just built a new PC:
Cooler Master HAF 932 Case
GA-EP45-UD3P Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 2.66Ghz
Crucial DDR2 PC2-8500 1066  8GB (4 x 2GB)
Gigabyte Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express
Corsair 850W PSU
80GB Velociraptor HD for Windows 7
750GB WD Caviar Black for applications

I booted the PC for the first time and everything seemed to go well. I forgot to plug in the DVD/CD player...so I turned the PC off and plugged in the SATA cable. Then the PC would not turn on. Finally, after about 10 minutes, the PC was able to be powered on. This kept happening every time I turned the PC off....it would be 10 to 20 minutes before I was allowed to turn it back on.

I thought it could be the PSU...so I read and found how to jumper the unit and test it. It worked fine and powered the fans on the MB...it would turn off and on every time with no issue.

I tested with RAM in different slots...or just one stick...or different sticks, etc. That did not matter.

I moved the video card to different slots...still had problem.

I finally took the MB out of the case, hooked the PSU to it and was able to jump the PC with the power pins. Still same problem...will turn on once, then nothing for many minutes.

I feel like I have ruled out the RAM, PSU, Power Switch, and the case shorting out the board.  Anyone here have any ideas? I am thinking there is some kind of short in the MB or something.   HELP!!!!!

[oggmonster]

Although you made the PSU fan spin up did you actually test the voltages? Have you got another PSU you can try?
When you took it out of the case did you try just hooking up PSU, CPU + heatsink/fan. Obviously you won't get any signal, but you should be able to see if it can switch on and off several times. If it does you can start putting components back 1 thing at a time to eliminate the problem part.

[spaceace414]

Although you made the PSU fan spin up did you actually test the voltages? Have you got another PSU you can try?
When you took it out of the case did you try just hooking up PSU, CPU + heatsink/fan. Obviously you won't get any signal, but you should be able to see if it can switch on and off several times. If it does you can start putting components back 1 thing at a time to eliminate the problem part.

I did the "paper clip" trick with the PSU and it came on and powered all my fans every time I turned it off and on. So it seems to be pushing out power okay. The problem comes into play when I hook up the MB to the PSU.

Hmmmmmm....wait a minute. I don't remember my fans coming on in the case after I hook the PSU to the motherboard. Only the first time it works...then nothing for several minutes. I am at work, so I cannot test this until I get home. Any idea why the PSU would be flaky when hooked up to the MB? I hope this is the problem....easy fix for sure.

[spaceace414]

I also do not remember my fan running on the PSU itself when nothing will start. I was so frustrated last night that I didn't even think about that. I kept thinking it had to do with the motherboard.

My PSU is 850watts. I would think that is more than enough to power this PC.

[spaceace414]

I will change out power supplies today...I have one in another computer. The more I think about this, the more I see other areas where the failure could be. Since the "paper clip" trick seemed to work...I wonder if the ATX connection on the motherboard could be bad or have a short? It still doesn't make sense though that it will power up once, then not power up for a certain amount of time.

Hopefully you guys can give me some good feedback.

[oggmonster]

Let us know how you get on

[spaceace414]

Just to update anyone reading this, it appears that the PSU is bad. I took one out of my other PC and everything seems to work fine.  Looks like it is time to RMA the new PSU!   Thanks everyone.

[oggmonster]

Ahh I thought as much, glad you got it figured out ^_^