So I decided to upgrade my hs/fan with a Zalman. Unfortunately my pc refuses to boot, or even post after installing it.. I switched out the Zalman with the oem hs/fan and no difference. The machine will turn on for about 10 seconds, hd will seek like normal, but then it shuts down. The monitor never pops on, nor does it give me any error beeps. Replaced the power supply thinking my old one just can't cut it...no difference.

I'm down to processor or motherboard. It's an AMD 3000+ and MSI K8N. If I pull the processor, the machine will stay on longer than 10 seconds. Now I just have to figure out if ithis is due to the processor, or a short between the processor and the board. Any ideas?

So it goes through POST and everything, and then after 10 seconds of being on it'll shut down. Correct?

Well..the easy thing is that you know what you did different..

It doesn't pass post at all. I'd expect some sort of beep from motherboard at least, but nothing.

I would assume your CPU is dead, not 100% sure, but I would think so if it isn't posting..

Oh whoops..misread that one sentence ><

First thing I would try, if you haven't is:

reseat processor (yeah..i know..heatsink installations don't do anything with the processor, but i've had it work before)
reseat heatsink (well..you kind of already did that)
check for loose connections (hit a cable while working in there?)
check to see if you plugged in CPU cable to mobo (i don't remember the correct terms for it) - some motherboards will not let you POST without detecting a fan

edit: the processor is FAR from dead if it's just not POSTing lots of variables still left

I've reseated the processor and hs many times. No loose connections. I've tried booting with and without processor/hs fan. It will stay on without the processor, but once the processor/hs fan is put on, it shuts down.

do all this and if still no work, you are shorting your mobo out. i had the same prob.

Thanks for the input. Next step is to get a processor to test it. Damn 20% restocking fee

did u try to find out if it is shorting out on you?

I am assuming so. There isn't much I can do until I get another processor.

I did a little closer inspection of the motherboard. Seems I may have damaged a couple of the silver pieces on the back of the motherboard while removing the metal hs base. It doesn't look too bad, you can tell something happened. I didn't even notice the silver pieces on the back before.

Now what I don't understand is why it will stay powered on without the processor in, but shuts down with it in.

Got an extra system somewhere? Swap parts and see for sure.

Nope. Which is why I'll have to buy a processor tomorrow.

hmm, it could be the processor, butit could also be because the weight of the heatsink+fan is pusing down on the mobo and shorting it. what i did was that i placed my polyurethane gray sheet that came with my mobo between the case and the back of the mobo. it will be harder to screw it on, but it wont short out.

Both the default hs/fan and Zalman cause the short, so I don't think weight is an issue. I've also powered it up outside of the case on that polyurethane sheet you speak about. Same result.

I picked up a cheap Sempron today. No difference. So I guess the next step is to test the motherboard

sounds nasty

so many problems from installing heatsink

yes, i guess the next step is mobo. all the best.


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[EDIT]

hey did u say that it will stay on without the processor? how long does it stay on without processor (the 3000+) ? if thats the case then i would say the processor is blown. but if it isnt working with the sempron... are semprons even S939?

I tested it without the procesor for well over 20 seconds. I have a 754 slot motherboard/processor

oh, oops, pardon my ignorance, i forgot that A64s came in 754

did you try to Clear CMOS ?

1. put the power jumper in 1-2 position
2. Take out the Battery
2. if you are in no hurry leave it through the nite. or wait 10 mins
3. Put the battery back in
4. put jumper back to its original posisiton 1-2

jumper as in the CMOS jumper. check the manual on where it is located.

Yeah I cleared the cmos already. Thanks for all the help guys. New board should be here Tuesday so I'll report back then.

ok cool.

sometimes it doesnt work but i would recommend you leaving the battery out overnight just to see what happens. make sure to move the jumper also

what does the battery even power? i always wondered about that

It was the motherboard. The new one works like a charm.

What an ordeal. Ah well, got a new motherboard and video card from it, so that helps.

Thanks to everyone who helped me out. It is appreciated

cool, congrats on getting it fixed. what new motherboard did u get?

good to see you got it fixed, i had something similar happen to me about 3-4 yrs ago and it sucked

I wish someone could figure out the cause of this. I had my A8N Premium going great for about a week. Then I plugged in a floppy drive to the board and a wireless PCI card and I was getting the same result. I have sent my board back. Dang it takes forever =/ I did hours of research the other day trying to find out something but all I could find is the same story, no answers =/