Need help on this problem

cloudy3841 · Rated PG Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 5

I am building a new computer. I have built 4 others, so not really too new at this. but first time I have ran into this problem.
I have installed motherboard
I have installed cpu and heat sink(with fan)
I have installed memory - kingston ddr 512(2)
I have installed hard drive - S ata
I have installed cd - ide
Problem:
when I turn on power -- it checks memory and says OK
then I get -- CMOS CHECKSUM ERROR
then the system shuts down - even if I try to go into the BIOS or not.
So, what do you think the problem is and what do I need to do
any help would be helpful
Thank you in advance
Charles Blackwell cblackwell14@comcast.net

BeerCheeze · Posted: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 08:42:54 Post Subject:

What motherboard? I had an MSI one that had the BIOS lock jumper set that did the exact same thing to me.

If so, you'll need to change the jumper to make the BIOS changeable so that it can read in the new hardware.

cloudy3841 · Rated PG Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 5

there is no jumper on the pins.
it is a gigabyte board 775
I don't know if I made it clear or not, that the power shuts off
after about 15 seconds. I have enough time to hit delete and get
into the bios, but then the power shuts off, before I can do anything else. I have disconected all hard drives and checked
all conections, still does same thing.
before I hit delete, it will say CMOS checksum error defaults loaded
this may be unrelated to power shut down. Maybe power shut
down is the main problem. Surely the battery will not cause the
power to shut off, will it?

**Modulok** · Posted: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 13:06:09 Post Subject:

is the power supply strong enough for everything thats plugged in?

see if you can boot with bare minimum: mb/cpu, ram, video, PS, kb

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 13:24:53 Post Subject:

I'd be interested in the PSU specs too... Also, try reseating everything to make sure the CPU is in the socket well, that the cooler is making good contact with the CPU (take it off and look for the impression of the CPU in the thermal paste on the cooler), check the memory, video card, etc...

BeerCheeze · Posted: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 13:24:58 Post Subject:

It's possible there needs to be jumpers.

martz · Rated R Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 54

MSI boards (from memory) have a cpu fan failure system. if the fan is not correctly detected, the motherboard makes lots of noise, and then promptly shuts down. Have you definitely got the cpu fan attached to the correct header on the board? If you have, try connecting a different fan onto the appropriate header and see if the board stays alive. It could be something as simple as a mis-reading fan sensor.

bruceleeon · Rated R Joined: 15 Jun 2003 Posts: 59

Might be a cpu problem... i remember when i cracked the core on my t-bird, the same thing happend. I like the cpu fan thing though. Otherwise, call the manufacturer. That is why they have phone numbers. If the manufacturer doesn't have a phone number change manufacturers.

cloudy3841 · Rated PG Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 5

Ok guys listen up.
I took off the cpu cooler to see if there was an impression in the
paste, as Big Bruin sugested.
there was no impression, so on closer inspection I determined
that the cooler could not make contact with the cpu, because
the cpu did not stand up high enough in the frame that locks it
in.
So I removed the frame and replaced the cooler. thinking the cooler
would hold the cpu in place and it would make contact for sure.
guess what, the system did not shut down on start up. So I
thought I had it solved. but I had no video. the system was running
but I couldn't tell what was going on.
I thought monitor had gone out., so replaced with another monitor
still no video. replaced cables still no video. pissed off again.
tried to contact mother board maker several through e-mail, but
got no response for two days. So I decided to take the system
apart and send the mb back to Gigabyte.
Upon taking the cooler off the cpu, I discovered that there still was no impression in the paste. Can you belive that?
I thought I had it sitting on top of the cpu.
So boxed up the mb and let it sit there for a day.
Got to thinking, maybe I had the cooler facing in wrong direction
so I put everything back together put the frame back on to hold the cpu and rotated the cooler 90 degrees. Then when I powered on I had video and the system did not shut down, but I still got
the CMOS error. so I restarted and got into the bios and changed
the time, restarted again, this time no error.
I don't know if I have an impression in the paste now or not, but
I am not going to take it off to look. checked cpu temp in bios and
it looks good.
Got everything going now os and all.
I want to thank all of you for the suggestions, it is nice to have a place to go to and get wise help.
remember this next time someone else has a power down problem on a new build. ROTATE COOLER 90 degrees
Thanks again

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Thu, 14 Sep 2006 11:59:33 Post Subject:

Wow! Glad it is working for you... Sounds like you dodged a bullet with the system shutting down like that and not smoking your CPU! Safety measures do pay off... Laughing