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Question

help, i tried upgrading my computer and it only restarts

Apr 22, 2017 2:10AM PDT

Can anyone please help? I was working with a friend on upgrading my computer and as we finished and attempted to boot it, it would not boot but rather start and hum a bit, then shut down and restart. We have tried talking to others but many of them do not understand what the cause may be. I believe we may have damaged the mother board.
More information about my computer is here if anyone can help: https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/769448-my-new-build-powers-on-and-off-every-5-seconds/?_fromLogin=1#replyForm

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
A completed essay with only picture link
Apr 22, 2017 11:21AM PDT

I attempted to transfer all of the parts in a dell xps 8910 into a cooler master silencio 352 so that I could fit my msi gtx 1060 graphics card. Btw this is whats in the pre built xps

Motherboard dell ipskl-vm
Cpu core i5 6400
2 4gb ram cards
1tb hard drive
Ev3a supernova 750 g3/stock power supply at 350w
Some graphics crapy graphics card that came with the pre built computer.

So I changed out the psu to a ev3a supernova 750 g3 a couple of weeks back with no problems coming from it, I also tested the old gpu on the build. When I removed all the components I realised that the standoffs weren't tightened extremely well and two/three of them out of the case when I unscrewed the screws. But I don't think that that was the problem because  it still continues to repeatedly restart when bred boarded with the cpu/cooler/motherboard/one stick of ram and only the 24 pin and cpu power pluged in. I tried my best to trouble shoot but this motherboard doesn't seem to have the pins for my post speakers.

I guess my question is, did I murder my motherboard?

Update- im using my old power supply and I was able to get things going like normal by repeatedly turning on and off the power suplly, everything is turning on like normal except that the screen wont turn on still (I still don't have pins for motherboard speaker so this is the best that I can do to test it, its still bread boarded while I do this. I tried pulling out and placing back the cpu and noticed that dell put ALOT of thermal paste on it. Also after forcing the computer on I am now able to short the power pins and turn it "off" but after a while it starts to repeatedly restart. Before I couldn't even short the pins to power it on or off.
Update
I found out that the tower comes with led blinking patterns to tell of problems within the computer rather than post pins, so I threw it in the case and "forced" it sorta on then turned it off. The power led started blinking twice before pausing and according to the manuel that means that it cannot find the ram. But the only ddr4 ram that I currently have are the two sticks that came with the computer. So I switched out each single ram stick in every slot and tried to boot but with no luck. I'm guessing that I have either somehow messed up both sticks of ram transferring it from one case to another or that the motherboard got destroyed and cannot recognise that there are ram cards inserted at all...or that the cpu is broken...somehow :/

This is the makeshift test bench that I maid to try and test my woes.

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s1249.photobucket.com/user/ultimater10000/embed/..."></iframe>

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This is the correct link
Apr 22, 2017 11:29AM PDT
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Answer
not going to keep clicking on links
Apr 22, 2017 3:05AM PDT

I clicked on your link only to find I would have to click on another link for more information. I am not going to run around to several different forums you posted in and try to figure out what you did and what you tried. Please post everything here.

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Answer
I agree with renegade
Apr 22, 2017 4:28AM PDT

My fingers are getting blisters for all of the clicking .

Here's what you need to do...
cut up a cardboard box and stretch it out on the floor or good size table close to an electric outlet

1. Pull EVERYTHING out of the computer case put on the cardboard leaving only the CPU in place until the motherboard is board is on the cardboard . This would be the time to blow all of the dust from all parts and inside the case.

2.Inspect all of the fans to be sure all are spinning freely.If not, time to order new ones.Make a note or parts list to order and keep it handy.

3.Now clean the heat sinks on the CPU and cooling fan. Set the fan aside .
Remove the CPU after cleaning off all of the thermal compound and inspect the pins to be sure none are bent.

4. If CPU and MB pins look ok , Install the CPU make sure the heatsink is clean and if the cooling fan is clean and spinning freely spinng , apply Thermal Compound ( just a pea sized amount on the middle of heatsink ) , install the cooler fan .

5. Install One stick of RAM making sure the slot is dust free.
6. Now, if you have an onboard GPU , plug it into the monitor.
7. Install the PSU after blowing out all of the dust and turn it and the monitor on .
8. Short out the Power Pins on the motherboard to start the computer.
9. You should now see the BIOS on the Monitor and the cooler fan should be spinning.
10.If you don't see the BIOS on the monitor and fan isn't spinning , start removing and replacing parts from there until you find the problem part(s) .
10. If all is running, shut the computer off , unplug the PSU and short the Power Pins again to disperse all electricity , unplug cable from onboard GPU .
11. Install the Pciex16 GPU after cleaning the heatsinks and after applying new Thermal Compound and cleaning the fan . Put it together and plug it into the Motherboard., plug the monitor into the Pciex16 and short out Power Pins to start up computer....

You should have a gist of what we're doing here now , keep using this method until you have all parts installed and everything's running as it should.

After you get it all running right, disassemble again.

Making sure that the Motherboard stands are in the proper places in the computer Case ( making sure you don't have too many or too few or you can short out the Motherboard ), Install the Motherboard into case , and than ,one part at a time , making sure each part is installed properly and all plug in parts are all seated and secured properly .

You should know what to do from here.

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Answer
Sorry but I agree.
Apr 22, 2017 8:34AM PDT

Itsdigger has a nice list to work but having me chase down the information is asking too much.

Google "The Dead PC" to read how most folk deal with a dead PC.

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Answer
In this case go back to the Dell tower.
Apr 22, 2017 11:56AM PDT

Put it back to stock and re-test.

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:!
Apr 22, 2017 11:57AM PDT

But I did

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There's a lot to plow through so if stock fails.
Apr 22, 2017 12:03PM PDT

Then we are looking at the failed pile of parts and what is it?

I take it the parts you bought are NOT in the back to stock machine. No new ram, just one stick of the old and since it's doing this odd power on off thing you don't put in drives either.

NOW I do have an idea of a common problem when transplanting. The CPU can get disconnected so I always give the old unplug and plug it back it a try. The CPU comes out and I inspect all pins and pads for cleanliness or damage. Install the CPU and HSF and test.

-> If the motherboard has failed, the only end user test is to swap that board. That is, the least number of parts for a power up and stay up test is PSU, motherboard and that's about it. Does two parts come up and stay up? If not, those parts are suspect.

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Dude ! It would be a shame
Apr 22, 2017 12:27PM PDT

to waste all of that cardboard work you did .
Do The Work like I left instruction for and figure out what it what through the process of elimination .
After it runs, put it in a case .
Whining doesn't work here Cry

Post was last edited on April 22, 2017 12:32 PM PDT

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I hope he's OK. Lots of hours and a dead PC.
Apr 22, 2017 12:41PM PDT
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Haha , he'll live
Apr 22, 2017 12:52PM PDT

we have all BTDT , it just hurts the first time Devil

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Here's the thing
Apr 22, 2017 9:04PM PDT

I'm pretty sure that it's the motherboard then since no matter how many parts are in or out, as long as it involves the motherboard it fails. I went ahead and got new ram and a motherboard so I'll soon fined out if its one, the other or the cpu. If anything I was planning on ending up with two computers by the end of all of this either way.

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Haha , I hear ya man !
Apr 22, 2017 9:22PM PDT

Chasing bad parts gets expensive , but how else can we do it ?
We don't have a shop full of spare parts sitting around to swap out !
And you know what else ? I think that 350 Watt PSU is too small as the GPU draws 120 watts right off the bat . Some of the more experienced folks may find me wrong.

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Woo?
Apr 22, 2017 9:32PM PDT

Okay I just have the motherboard and a fan pluged in and it turned the fan on... Am I good?

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Question
Apr 22, 2017 9:35PM PDT

Shorting the f panel only works with the cpu pluged in right?

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Almost there
Apr 22, 2017 9:48PM PDT

Ok the fans blades were so large that the momentum was spinning them after the resets. With the cpu cooler and the fan pluged into the motherboard I can see that they keep on restarting. Is this to be expected with no cpu and no memory? Or is it the motherboard that is causing all this trubble?

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If that's where the Power Pins are.
Apr 23, 2017 5:38AM PDT

Yes you should have the CPU and Fan Cooler on ,You need to look at your manual for the MB. Be sure to get those heat sinks mirror clean and don't over do the thermal paste , that can cause over heating too .

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Im not worried if its broken
Apr 22, 2017 9:57PM PDT

While i understand that some may have got the wrong idea, im not trying to complain. In fact im already getting a new motherboard and was going to replace it anyways. The main reason i want help is because i would like to sell this computer or give its parts to my friend who needs an actually functioning computer (he built his with junk parts). It does bother me that a perfectly good computer might be damaged and unrepairable but thats why i requested help, which, by the way i am very thankful for. As for what you said earlier, i am definitely taking your guys's advice and will continue to try anything you guys recommend. Ill report back if anything does happen or if the problem is fixed or not. Thank you.

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Nobody's Mad
Apr 23, 2017 3:33AM PDT

It was Saturday night, we either had a date, a dinner or a nap .
In my case, it was almost midnight and I had a nice cozy bed to climb in lol

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Not upset. Just sleeping.
Apr 23, 2017 7:51AM PDT

Humans be like that.

As to unrepairable, that's rare. Even on a desktop, it's usually cost effective to get a good motherboard but this is where a small shop has it all over you. They can put the CPU into another board for a quick test where you would have to buy one.