Rig Shuts Down After 3 Seconds

[RA1D]

Odd problem... I turned on my computer and after about 3 seconds it shuts itself off.

• Light on mobo indicates power
• Fans turn on and light up
• After 3 seconds, fans cut off
• Doesn't make it to post, no video
• No audible beeps

I disconnected the psu and jumped it so that I could connect just my pump and fans to see what would happen and it runs fine. I also tried taking out 3 of my 4 memory sticks but no luck. I'm going to switch out my psu now although I don't think that's the problem. Let me know what you think it is.

[Elysium]

Maybe something is shorting out the mobo in the case... extra standoffs, etc.

[stinger608]

Ok this might be a odd question, but do you have a floppy drive installed???

If so, did you just put the system back together? Check the plug on the floppy. This has happened to me before, and my system would fire up for just a few seconds and then shut down. It was shorting out the PSU and shutting it down.

Of course if you don't have a floppy installed this is a mute point

Other than that, I would unplug your DVD drive(s) and hard drive(s) and try that. It could be a short in one of them. Sure hope not though!

[Panda Man]

Originally Posted by stinger608

Ok this might be a odd question, but do you have a floppy drive installed???

If so, did you just put the system back together? Check the plug on the floppy. This has happened to me before, and my system would fire up for just a few seconds and then shut down. It was shorting out the PSU and shutting it down.

Of course if you don't have a floppy installed this is a mute point

Other than that, I would unplug your DVD drive(s) and hard drive(s) and try that. It could be a short in one of them. Sure hope not though!

Take it a step further and unplug EVERYTHING (drives, fans, etc) and remove all PCI cards. There should only be the PSU, mobo, CPU, one stick of RAM and the video card

[RA1D]

It wasn't the PSU. I switched the 750w Silencer with an 850w Toughpower and got the same results.

Something to note: as soon as I hit the switch on the psu, the computer tries to turn on. It doesn't wait for me to push the power button. I thought that was weird.

[cured]

Check your HSF are secure. Mine did this, and it must have been shortage of cooling

[Elysium]

Originally Posted by RAID

Something to note: as soon as I hit the switch on the psu, the computer tries to turn on. It doesn't wait for me to push the power button. I thought that was weird.

Sounds like something is shorting the board out. As previously said, disconnect everything but PSU, mobo, CPU, one stick of RAM, GPU. Check for any metal or extra standoffs in the case the could come into contact with the mobo.

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by RAID

It wasn't the PSU. I switched the 750w Silencer with an 850w Toughpower and got the same results.

Something to note: as soon as I hit the switch on the psu, the computer tries to turn on. It doesn't wait for me to push the power button. I thought that was weird.

Could be nothing more than the power button!!! Unplug the power button at the motherboard, and try that. Just short the power pins with a screw driver or something of that sort!

[RA1D]

• Unplugged the power connectors on the mobo and it still tries to turn on when I hit the switch on the psu
• Triple checked the standoffs and there are no extra ones
• Disconnected everything except the bare minumum and still have the same problem
• Tried moving around the one stick of RAM to other slots, no luck

I'm starting to get a really bad feeling in my stomach. What are the indications when your CPU dies?

[Stormcrow]

The board would normally boot up, but it wouldn't POST. Same thing if the RAM is bad.
I doubt it will help, but clearing the CMOS is another option.
Have you tried removing the mobo from the case? I know its a pain because of your loop but you may need too. Sometimes the board shuts down if it doesn't detect the CPU fan spinning, try connecting a HSF to the fan header. Double check your 24 pin and 8 pin connectors, sometimes those don't seat all the way or become loose over time for whatever reason. At the worst, the board itself may have bit the dust, but I would go over anything you can think of first.