Member Avatar for BeastOverlordH6

Scenario:
I build and assemble an ATX machine with some decent components, but definitely not the most potent of powers:

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-LGA775 Elitegroup 865PE-A7 Motherboard (800Mhz Bus)
-Pentium 4 HT @3.00Ghz
-512MB PNY Tech DDR400 Memory
-420 Watt ATX Power Supply
-PCI (ouch) PNY Tech GeForce FX 5200

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After...

Then I install some pretty fans, a very nice heatsink, and an AGP PNY Tech GeForce 6200 (Prior to the 6200 installation I made sure I uninstalled the old card, just for reassurance.) So I try the power button...
The comp will not boot. No signal to monitor, that is. All electronics are flashing and going, but no response. Crap. Something was up- it was either the heatsink, the power (since my AGP card required a four-pin), or something with my motherboard and how it treated AGP. However, after around 45 tries to start up the machine, the BIOS loads, and I resume Windows. So boot is definitely possible... but it's highly unstable.


:confused:

  • 3 Contributors
  • 5 Replies
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  • Latest Post Latest Post by RGPHNX

Dani AI

Generated

Good catch by and solid troubleshooting leads from and . Aftermarket coolers that use backplates, long screws or metal washers are a common source of intermittent failures: a screw or washer can contact a trace, via pad, or create a conductive path between layers and cause no-posts, flaky cold-only/heat-sensitive boots, or random recovery after many power cycles.

Practical diagnosis (safe, step-by-step)

  • Power down, remove AC, and ground yourself.
  • Bench-test the board outside the case on cardboard or the motherboard box with minimal parts (CPU, one RAM stick, PSU, and video). If it POSTs reliably without the aftermarket cooler fitted, the cooler/mounting is the likely culprit.
  • Use an ohmmeter between the cooler/backplate (or mounting screws) and the board’s 5V/3.3V rails and ground. Low resistance to a live rail indicates a short. This follows ’s suggestion and isolates conductive contact.
  • Inspect the PCB where the backplate/screws sit: look for scratched traces, solder splashes, pushed-down caps, or foreign metal. Also check the socket area for bent or pushed pins (LGA sockets have delicate contacts).

How to fix and prevent it

  • Replace any metal washers that contact the PCB with nylon/insulating washers or use the non-conductive spacers the cooler vendor recommends. Place insulating washers both under screw heads and on the backplate side if possible.
  • Ensure correct-length screws and the correct backplate orientation for LGA775; don’t over-torque—tighten evenly and only to the manufacturer’s spec.
  • If intermittent problems remain, swap in a known-good PSU and test voltages under load; marginal PSU rails can produce similar cold-boot/heat-sensitive symptoms (as observed).

Safety notes
Always remove power before working on the board, avoid conductive work surfaces, and if uncertainty persists have a technician check continuity with an ohmmeter before reassembly.

Member Avatar for RGPHNX

Hi BeastOverlordH6,
If everything was installed correctly & configured properly then..
Sounds like a motherboard grounding short. You need to have a technician check it out with an ohm meter.
Hope this helps :)
RGPHNX
-PS- you could also check out the troubleshooting guide at my website..it's step by step.. maybe you'll find some answers.

Member Avatar for Blackhawk327

Had same issue with this card in system with AMD xp2000, nForce2 and new Thermaltake 420 PSU. Changed PSU to new Rosewell 450 and will boot only when cold. Looks like card is very sensitive to the power.

Member Avatar for BeastOverlordH6

Surprisingly, of the components, I actually found the source of the issue. The Zalman heatsink, which I applied at the same time of the other components, shorted the board. Unlike the standard Intel heatsink, the Zalman required the board to come out and the use of washers. I recently reinstalled the heatsink and found that I needed to use a different size of washer.

Member Avatar for BeastOverlordH6

Cold boot only? I find that a very strange condition. Warm boot is just a reset of the motherboard...

Member Avatar for RGPHNX

re:

I actually found the source of the issue. The Zalman heatsink, which I applied at the same time of the other components, shorted the board

...SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED.. :cheesy:
Happy computing BeastOverlordH6 !

RGPHNX

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