Computer Shutting Down During Start-Up

TheStoryteller

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Dec 11, 2013
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So, in the past few months, while playing graphically intensive games, my computer has shut down without warning. It seemed to be a heat-related problem with my CPU, so I thought I should upgrade the fan.

I ordered the new fan, and it came in the mail. Being the peon that I was, I unscrewed the fan mount (http://tinyurl.com/lvd3jz3) to take off the fan. When returning the mount, after realizing it was unnecessary to remove it to un-clip the stock fan, I noticed that only two would go in. For some reason, the bottom screws could no longer be screwed in. On closer inspection, I noticed that the holes that the screws were supposed to go into no longer had the holders that they screwed in to. They didn't fall out, so I have no idea what happened.

When attempting to turn on my computer, it will run for around 10-15 seconds, before shutting off completely. Not to mention, it has gotten to the point where it gets to the MSI splash screen, stops progressing through start-up, and doesn't boot up to Windows.

I DID add a new layer of thermal paste after removing the old layer.

And, I don't see any way to fix the screws. It's hard to explain.

They don't connect directly to the motherboard. There are little "mounts" or "holders" for the screws which they screw into, which are like, under the motherboard, and two of them just are no longer there. I have no idea how I would fix that problem.
 
Solution
well sadly I think the only solution is going to be to remove the motherboard so you can fix that bracket then put it all back together.
its not that hard to do but ill take a little time and a screw driver.
all you have to do is
1. unplug computer
make sure you discharge yourself of static electricity by touching metal case before handling the components
2. remove any cards installed (video card, pci cards) you should be able to leave ram in place just anything that goes between case and motherboard should be as simple as removing one screw then wiggling the cards out.
3. unplug power supply wires from power supply to motherboard(they will have a little tab you have to push to remove them)
4. remove any motherboard to fan plugs and...
well it sound like cpu is not making good contact with heatsink. so somehow you have to fix that mount so that is stays firmly attached to the motherboard without damaging the motherboard. that bracket controls the heat sink to cpu distince. if its loose then the the gap will be to big and heat sink compound is not ment to fill up a large gap only a very thin one.
 

TheStoryteller

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Dec 11, 2013
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10,660


I have no idea how to fix this problem, as it has to do with things that are seemingly under the motherboard.
 
well sadly I think the only solution is going to be to remove the motherboard so you can fix that bracket then put it all back together.
its not that hard to do but ill take a little time and a screw driver.
all you have to do is
1. unplug computer
make sure you discharge yourself of static electricity by touching metal case before handling the components
2. remove any cards installed (video card, pci cards) you should be able to leave ram in place just anything that goes between case and motherboard should be as simple as removing one screw then wiggling the cards out.
3. unplug power supply wires from power supply to motherboard(they will have a little tab you have to push to remove them)
4. remove any motherboard to fan plugs and hard drive cables to motherboard.

at this point nothing should be connected to the motherboard

5. remove the motherboard screws, take your time to make sure that you don't let the screw driver slip off of them and damage motherboard

6. try to lift motherboard out gently. you should not have to pry it out it should lift out freely. if it doesn't simply lift out stop and look over motherboard again looking for missed screws.
(make sure you sit motherboard and cards on hard surface like wood table or cardboard. don't sit it on cloth or carpet as there is the static electricity risk from them surfaces)
7. with motheroboard removed see if you have the pieces to put your heat sink bracket back togheter right. and put it back on while motherboard is out.

8 reassemble in reverse order the way you took it apart.

take your time. hook all cables from where they came out of. if you don't think you will remember where stuff came from take pictures or make drawings or write stuff down.

if all goes well you then should be able to reattach your heatsink properly and computer will run again. also make sure you don't over do it with the heat sink compound. you should only be using a pea size amount if that. theres a toms hardware article on it under the cpu section
 
Solution