New System Powers Down on Windows 7 Startup

Assembled a new system based on a Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R, a 128 GB Crucial RealSSD C300 Series and a I7-930 processor powered by a Corsair CMPSU-850TX PSU. Upon an attempted Windows 7 64-bit install, the system powers down as soon as the Windows login screen appears. At one time I could get the system to run until I installed a (actually "any") driver for a Radeon HD5750 after which the system would power down at the login screen. I replaced the HD5750 with a GT 240 and that system will not allow the Windows install DVD to complete, powering down as soon as the installation begins. I have also replaced the motherboard with no improvement. Since this behavior is new to me and I am running out of components to swap out, any suggestions to identify the source of the problem would be deeply appreciated.

Hey NGunch, Welcome to WTT! Sorry to hear you're having issues with your new build. Can you please answer the following questions: Have you made sure the airflow is adequate in your case? Did you seat the CPU properly? Did you apply Thermal Interface Fluid when you attached the heatsink? Is there a continuous beep when the machine shuts down? Nahumi

Thanks for the reply! Airflow: Two case fans plus another on the cooler. And, the system only runs for a couple of minutes at most. Seat CPU: I noticed no difficulty. And, by replacing the motherboard, I have installed the CPU twice with the same results. Thermal Interface Fluid: Yes, some came with the "Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus" and I carefully renewed it at the re-install. Continuous beep: I have never heard one. The motherboard certainly has a place for a speaker connection in the Front Panel Header but I have yet to find a connector to connect. The Manual for the Antec P183 case does not mention a speaker. I have connected the Line Out to speakers in the room but have heard nothing. d

Okay, well the lack of a continuous beep is good. Just to double check that your CPU is fine though, can you enter your BIOS and let me know what your temperatures inside the case are? Can you also take a note of the clock speeds and the clock modifiers? The last one may seem odd, but it's usually a good indicator of an outdated BIOS. Just to clarify the abrupt shut downs, does it literally power down, or is there a Stop Error / BSOD too?

Case Temps: CPU 38 deg. C.; MCH 41 deg. C. Clock speeds: (This gives you an idea . . . .) I'm not sure where to look so: CPU Clock Ratio - 21x QPI Clock Ratio - Auto Base Clock Control - Disabled BCLK freq - 133 CPU Clock Drive - 800 mV PCIE Express Clock Drive - 900 mV CPU Clock Skew - 0ps IOH Clock Skew - ops Performance Enhance - Turbo System memory Multiplier - Auto Assorted Voltages - All Auto All that to say, I have not moved things off initial settings. As for the power downs, there is no stop error or BSOD. Just a quiet click and things stop.

Have you tried a different power supply? And, are you sure you are hooking up the supplemental 6 pin power connector to your PCI-Ex video card from the power supply?

Power supply – Seems to be the best option in a diminishing list of possibilities. I have to work myself up to the task since it will involve dismantling an existing working system. And, it will be done. Supplemental power – the HD5750 did require extra power which I did provide. The GT 240 does not have a supplemental power receptacle.

Okay, the temps look fine.

Had a quick look at the Gigabyte website. They have released a couple of BIOS updates which might solve the problem. One of the major bug fixes is for RAM.

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-p…5&dl=1#bios

You need to check which version of your motherboard you have before your proceed however. The BIOS updates only apply to Rev. 1.

A faulty PSU does explain things. I'm not entirely convinced though. The machine would shut down in the BIOS, and not just in the Windows Login screen. Using something like Puppy Linux might be a good way to see if the machine / PSU always shuts down, or whether it's just with Windows.

I'll look into the BIOS upgrade 'Tis a little nervous 'cause our Internet connection is rural and flaky. I have tried to install Linux Mint-8. Sometimes it will install and run for a while. In my last test, the install dies when the logo appears.

The good thing about Gigabyte motherboards is that they have two BIOS'. If one fails due to a corrupt file the motherboard will automatically revert to the second one. I think appleoddity is right, however, in saying changing the PSU might fix it. If you can, get the retailer to exchange it. They should do it without question as long as you've purchased it in the last 30 days. There are a couple of other options of you're not yet prepared to start changing the PSU, and that's to either update the BIOS, or try running a form of Linux off either a USB drive or a spare HDD. In essence, I'm trying to cross off all the possible faulty components. The CPU and Motherboard seem to be fine, which leaves RAM, PSU or SDD. I suggest we try going forward in the easiest possible way, which is to try a different PSU, and then move onto using a spare HDD/USB. It is possible to check your RAM before all that, but it involves making a bootable copy of Memtest86, so I suggest we leave that to the end.

I was able to download a BIOS file on the laptop, copied to a flash drive and ran the BIOS update on the new machine. Windows 7 installed without issue and has been running now for several hours. I'll believe things are all better only after I re-install assorted disk drives and it runs overnight. Maybe there is hope!

Good news! Let me know how it turns out.

Well, it looked good for a while. Today I installed an application to calibrate the monitor for photographic use and the system died as it has before. Now, nothing runs. No Windows DVD, no safe mode, not the installed image, even Mint-8 dies in the installation process. So, I have RMA'd the power supply in that hope that is the source of the problems. And, we will see. Thanks so much for all your help. d

Sorry to hear that NGunch, If a replacement PSU doesn't work then we could look at testing the RAM. There's no point in doing that until you replace the PSU though. Let me know how it goes. Nahumi

For whatever reason, the system is running fine and has been for a week. Replacing the PSU did not seem to improve things. Then I rebooted yet one more time and, suddenly, things started to work and it has been stable. I've installed assorted software and two 2 TB drives (mirrored) with no problems. I guess we declare victory and go on to other things. Thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it! d