On Sat, 28 Jan 2006 09:26:55 -0500, inkleput{at}isp.com wrote:

>I put my old mobo back in my main machine so I'm back to the familiar
>territory of OS/2 apps.  (Boy I hate doing newsgroups in TBird.  Email
>isn't too bad.)
>
>I have another question (besides any trick starting an auto-start
>capable mobo the first time) about the problem (running for only 3 or 4
>seconds then shutting down).

Usually when this happens, it's an auto-protect feature kicking in...
the motherboard recognizes there's no CPU fan plugged in, and shuts
down to avoid thermal damage.  An uncovered AthlonXP CPU can/will cook
itself to death in under 8 seconds...

>As a last idea I tried starting up with the CPU power unplugged.  The
>fans kept running, but of course there was no POST.  When I plugged the
>CPU power back in the fans stopped instantly.

What do you mean by "CPU power"?  The main 20-pin plug to the
motherboard, or the fan header for the CPU?

Are you plugging this stuff in while the power supply is "live"?  Oy!

Sounds like a faulty motherboard - you need to isolate parts from each
other to troubleshoot.  Try a different power supply with the same
motherboard, or (if you really like risks) another motherboard with the
same power supply.

Antec makes a PSU tester you can safely plug in to get voltage readings
without risking a motherboard in the process:

http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=77203

for US$19.95 + shipping from their online store.


Generally, if a particular voltage is out (+ or -) by more than 10%,
the motherboard's Voltage Regulator Modules (VRMs) are unable to
compensate, and you won't get a POST.

I've seen various supplies give me 4.1V on the +5 rail, and 13.9 on the
+12V... swap 'em out, and the machine boots up first try.  A very handy
little tester gizmo.

Hope this helps!

-Derek

Derek W. Keoughan,
Finnegan Software, Inc.,  Brampton, Ontario, Canada  http://www.finnsoft.com
416-410-4774 phone - 800-258-0033 toll free - 905-846-5516 fax

Consulting, Networking, Cabling, Internet, Hardware, Software, Tech Support
eComStation, OS/2 Warp/Server, WinXP/2000/NT/Me/9x, Linux
Customized PURRformance PC's & Servers, OnSite Services, Installations
and Upgrades

= Celebrating 10 years of "happily purring" computing - Founded
1995-02-02 =

FinnSoft "CyberCat" logo clothing and more -
http://www.cafepress.com/finnsoft




 
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