[Solved] gigabyte system won't turn on if more than the motherboard is plugged in

[dmouse09]

I just got a new gigabyte ga-ma74gm-s2h motherboard and amd 64 x2 cpu.

 

I installed the board and chip in to my tower plugged in my hdd and turned on the psu at the back of the tower and press the power button on the front (nothing happened).

 

I turned off the system at the back and removed the hdd.

 

I turned on the tower and pressed the power button again the system came alive (but obviously with having no hdd it didn't get far).

 

I tried to plug the hdd back in and the same happened (not even a glimmer of life)

 

So i removed the hdd again and started up the computer, i entered the bios, but the bios is one thing i have no idea about.

 

I don't know if i can sort the problem in the bios, or if the problem is something else.

 

Please help

 

Many thanks

Edited July 1, 2012 by dmouse09

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

Your thread title implies that the system will only run if the m/board is the only hardware connected.

 

Your post suggests that it is the HDD that is the cause of the problem.

Did you have RAM / DVD Drive / Video Card etc plugged in - but no hard drive - ?

 

Which is it ?

[dmouse09]

ram is conneted. dvd drive and hdd are not connected.

[KenB]

Without the DVD Drive and the HDD the system is stable.

 

If this is correct then connect the DVD drive.

Is the system stable now?

 

If so - connect the HDD.

If the system crashes then there is a problem with the HDD.

 

Try swapping the data cable / power connection.

[dmouse09]

thanks for the advice i plugged in the dvd drive and the computer started fine.

 

the only problem is that the dvd drive now takes up the only ide slot

 

and i dont have a sata hdd.

[KenB]

Your IDE data cable - does it look like this?

 

http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/operab/2012-03-25_213815_master-slave-ide.gif

 

If so - connect up as shown.

 

Make sure the jumper in the HDD is set to "Master" and the CDROM is set to slave.

[dmouse09]

plugged the cables in to the proposed positions.

 

dvd drive in to the slave and the hdd into the master.

 

nothing happened (the comp would not turn on)

 

removed the hdd without moving the cable configuration and turned it back on.

 

it turned on again as in previous attempts with the hdd removed.

 

the hdd appears to be causing the problem.

 

is this because it is blown? i assume i will i need a new one, am i right in this assumption?

[KenB]

i assume i will i need a new one

Something is shorting it out.

 

Take the data connection off it ( leave the molex power connection ) and try again.

Let me know the result.

 

If you get the same problem try a different molex power connection from your PSU.

Again - post back.

 

Also disconnect the CDROM again and use the IDE connection that was connected to the CDROM for the HDD.

Is there any difference?

 

I assume that the HDD jumper is set to the "Master" position ?

[dmouse09]

i've tried taking the data cable out and only leaving the molex in but it wont turn on.

 

hdd jumper is set to master and dvd is set to slave.

 

with or with out the dvd drive plugged in the pc will not start up when the hdd has a power molex connected.

 

i have tried every power molex plugged into the hdd individually.

 

it does not make a difference. (it still wont turn on)

 

as long as the hdd is plugged in the pc won't start up.

Edited July 2, 2012 by dmouse09

[KenB]

I think that covers all of the options - it looks like there is a short on the HDD's circuit board.

 

With the data cable disconnected there is no direct link to the m/board - so this is ok.

You have tried different molex connections - so that would seem to be ok

It is only when you connect power to the HDD.

 

I don't suppose you have another drive to try do you ?

[dmouse09]

no i would have to buy one, obviously there are no guarantees, but do you think that would solve the problem?

 

what is the probability that the psu is not strong enough? it's a 400w

[KenB]

what is the probability that the psu is not strong enough? it's a 400w

The power rating of the PSU would have no bearing on the initial boot up.

 

Also - with the CDROM connected you are using the molex power connection and there was no problem.

Not until the HDD is connected.

 

All things point to the HDD.

 

You could take it to a local tech ( phone for a price first ) and have him test it.

This is a quick test - he should do it for free.

[dmouse09]

thanks for all the help

 

many thanks

[KenB]

Let us know how you get on :)

[dmouse09]

just bought a new hard drive should get it before monday. so i will let you know what happens.

[KenB]

OK - let's know how you get on.

[dmouse09]

got new hdd installed it in to the system

 

inserted the windows operating system disk and started installing windows.

 

while formatting the hdd the computer shut itself down and now when i turn it on it gets to the boot from cd/dvd part and then shuts itself down again.

 

please help

[KenB]

I am tempted to say " I don't believe that happened" !

 

You said earlier that with everything on the motherboard except the HDD ( no molex power / no data cable ) the system was stable.

 

With just the molex power connection ( no data cable ) connected to the HDD the system shuts down.

 

You have tried different molex connections - same result.

 

You can connect up the DVD Drive and the system is stable.

 

Have I got all of the above correct ?

 

====================

 

If it isn't the HDD it must be the PSU - but I don't understand why the DVD drive should be OK.

 

Not that it matters - but do you have the jumper set to the "Master" position ?

 

I did, once, manage to get the molex connection in upside down.

If you look closely the chamfered ( angled ) edges go towards the top.

[dmouse09]

all the cables are in properly but as i have been insptecting the computer i noticed that there is loads of heat coming from the cpu heat sink and fan.

 

i touched the heat sink and it feels really hot

 

could it be that the cpu is over heating and how could i cool it down?

 

is there some sort of fluid that goes between the heat sink and the cpu?

Edited July 5, 2012 by dmouse09

[dmouse09]

i have removed both side pannels of the pc and cleaned the heat sink and subsequent fan of all dust and tryed again.

 

as of yet it is working and has not cut out again.

 

are there any ways of keeping the cpu cool other than going to these silly measures :-)

 

all your help is very appreciated

 

many thanks

[dmouse09]

al sorted the heat sink was full of dust so the fan was not able to cool it properly :-)

 

thanks everyone for all the help

[KenB]

Congratulations :)

 

The symptoms you described certainly did not point to overheating - but well done for locating the problem.