Possible dodgy CPU/motherboard? Advice appreciated!

Evening,

I've recently built a new system around the following parts (it was designed to be a development workstation - not a gaming rig):

* Q6600 G0
* Supermicro C2SBA+ board
* 4GB OCZ 800Mhz DDR2
* ATI x1650 PCI-e
* A handful of raptors
* Antec Atlas case (with TruePower Trio 550W PSU)

Now, all was great until about a week ago. Then the box just powered off (instantly) whilst I was using it. I'm pretty familiar with things going pop, so I assumed the PSU was gone. Sure enough it smelt like burning. Attempting to power up the PC again (silly, I know) caused the system speaker to make some funny noises, and then give up again.

I tried another PSU - this time a Macron 400W (with the shorter ATX connector without the 4 pins extra pins at the end, but still with the 4-pin header that goes near the CPU). The board powered up for ~5 seconds, then powered off, and repeated this process indefinitely without any interaction from me. I tried another 460W PSU and the same thing happened. Interestingly, if I boot it up without the 4-pin header attached it stays powered, but doesn't boot.

To me this sounds like the board is dead. Unfortunately I don't have another CPU or board here to check with. Could the lack of a PSU with the newer and longer ATX header be causing such an issue? Or should I just order a new board? (Sadly I can't return it as I foolishly bought it in the USA and assumed that Supermicro meant indestructible!)

Thanks,

Sam

I would check if the MB is correct mounted to the case.
Friend of mine had the same problem, and on one of the screws holding the MB in the case there were electric current.

Other then that, a new powerful PSU, like a Corsair HX620.
And maybe a better MB.

Motherboard may be damaged , as might memory.
I would also be concerned about the macron psu completing the destruction.

Macron 400W ATX PSU [MPT-400] with a £ of $20 & only 15A 12v, i wouldn't use it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Supershanks

Motherboard may be damaged , as might memory.
I would also be concerned about the macron psu completing the destruction.

Macron 400W ATX PSU [MPT-400] with a £ of $20 & only 15A 12v, i wouldn't use it.

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Okay, thanks. I'll wait for the replacement Antec before doing anything else.

You reckon the CPU would still be okay though?

Thanks,

Sam

It's difficult to say. What you might be doing is checking for possible shorts that may have triggered the incident in the 1st place. I don't rate Antec that much, but their products are usually of a standard that don't spontaneously explode:lol:

Check cabling , sometimes a wire can pop out of a molex connection, check standoffs and also the i/o panel, at tghe rear.

Try to remember if you were doing any thing different or poking around, as we all do, before the bang.

luck:)

Im pretty sure that in your case this wont be the problem, but check that the memory is properly installed. My computer kept powering up but not doing anything, and I figured that the motherboard was gone, but it turns out some of the memory had managed to come loose slightly, refitted the memory and it has worked fine ever since.

Cheers for the advice guys. The PSU is being replaced this Friday.

I'm trying to RMA the board with Supermicro... Supermicro say talk to the supplier, and the supplier says talk to Supermicro. Paying a premium for Supermicro looks like to be a complete waste of time now...

Thanks

Sam

Normally rma is to the supplier, howeverr it usually tends to add some weight if you have already spoken to the manufacturer.

Hope all goes well, keep us posted.:thumbsup: