New computer, first time, won't start properly, would like some help.

[xroots]

Hello, this is the first time I've ever built a computer, and I have an issue, probably a stupid one by these forums standards, but I can't figure out what I should do.

After putting everything together, and turning it on, the fan LEDs light up for a few seconds, then goes dark, then this process repeats.

Here's a link to my build. Also, I'd hope to not see responses like "You should have bought an i7 2600k instead"

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112239 - case - Lancool PC-k62

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188068 - Motherboard - EVGA x58 sli3

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233146 - RAM - corsair vengeance.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697 - HDD 1TB, blah blah.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151233 - DVD drive. blah blah.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181016 - corsair h80 cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012 - PSU - corsair hx650

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130595 - GPU - evga superclocked gtx 570

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116402 - processor - i7 980 Nehalem

After reading http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-boot-video-problems

This is what I ASSUME is wrong, I don't have anything plugged into the CPU fan header slot because, well. For the life of me, I can't find a fan that's 4 pin, not even on the corsair h80. There's probably something I'm missing that's stupid, but I don't know what.

I don't actually know what's wrong, but that's my assumption. This is my first time I've ever attempted to do this, and I messed up.

If it's my assumption, then how do I fix this?

Another possible issue is that the power LED cable was 3 pins when it's only two pins on the motherboard and I do have it plugged in. What could I do about this if this is the problem? Do I even need to have it plugged in?

I will answer as many questions as possible, and all help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-boot-video-problems

 

[sonicfantom]

OP HAS read that thread, he clearly stated so.

A 3-pin fan usually works in a 4-pin header, the motherboard should detect that there is indeed something attached. Dig into BIOS and see if you have "detect fans" enabled, though by the sounds of it you do.

Most motherboards will not POST if there is no CPU fan, to protect it from being burnt to a crisp.

 

[xroots]

OP HAS read that thread, he clearly stated so.

A 3-pin fan usually works in a 4-pin header, the motherboard should detect that there is indeed something attached. Dig into BIOS and see if you have "detect fans" enabled, though by the sounds of it you do.

Most motherboards will not POST if there is no CPU fan, to protect it from being burnt to a crisp.

Oh. I was not aware of this, I tried googling and couldn't find anything, so I came here. I'll try this and report back.

 

[xroots]

Same thing. Plugged the pump into the CPU fan header, case fans start to spin and light up, then it powers down. One thing I am noticing is that the fans connected to the h80 radiator aren't spinning during this process. Is this normal? They are plugged directly into the corsair h80 CPU block, and now the pump is attached to the CPU fan header. According to google, the reason you plug the pump into the CPU fan header is to monitor pump RPMs and alert you of pump failure. My other option would be to plug it into a molex connector.

 

[sonicfantom]

It is not normal.

Assuming that everything is working properly (no dead sticks of ram, etc...) and you haven't overlooked any cables (like that 8-pin CPU power plug - I've forgotten that one at least once) you should at least reach POST.

That is right, with Corsair Hydro heatsinks the pump is plugged into the CPU Fan header. Double check the "31 steps" thread, just to make sure. I can't see any likely hardware incompatibilities.

 

[xroots]

I will, also, I don't know if it makes a difference, but I have two of the 6+2 pin cables from the PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

Going into the GPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130595

Would I only need one? Or should I keep both in? The 8-pin CPU power plug is definitely connected. I ask this because of step 5 on the list.

Also, on the backplate of the corsair h80 there was a plastic film, it fell off, I didn't take it off, and according to google, that should have been kept on. I don't remember which side it was on, if I really do need it on.

Could the h80 be dead(because the fans aren't spinning upon power up)? I could always use the stock cooling if all else fails. Also, about the system speaker, this motherboard seem to have come with one already installed, and if it matters, it did not make any noise when this was going on. The case also came with a speaker, but I don't see anywhere to put it (probably due to the fact that it seems that there's already one on the motherboard)

Another issue is that the power LED cable is 3 pin and the motherboards is 2 pin. Do I even need this plugged in? (yes it's plugged in at the moment)

These are the only things I think I may have had an issue with after extensive research.

 

[sonicfantom]

Regarding GPU power: you need both plugged in, all the time.

The film on the backplate - was that the film over the exposed copper part of the heatsink? If so, that's definitely not meant to stay on after installation.

Try starting the computer with your stock heatsink's fan plugged into the CPU fan header - if the system POST's then you have a faulty H80, or it's not compatible with the mobo for some odd reason.

I have never seen a 3-pin power LED - it's possible that this is shorting out your power/reset switches due to the way it's installed. You can unplug it without any consequences, other than having to check whether your computer is on by seeing if the fans are turning.

 

[xroots]

Best answer selected by xroots.

 

[Gene5is]

i have a similar setup and a similar problem..

i got everything plugged in, (mb, vgas, rams, cpu, ssd, hdd etc).. when i plug in the power cable everything lights up(the shinny E on the motherboard and the blue LED right down under the sticks of ram).. but when i hit the ON button, nothing happens.. the H80 looks dead as crap... ive tried already plugging the 3pin cable on any other fan header and still, CPU+cooler looks both dead as hell.. i tried already with another cpu cooler(coolermaster v8) right before trying this one and it worked..

am i plugging things on wrong spot or anything? this is the first time something like this happens to me.. help please =/..

btw ive read the full guide ( http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-boot-video-problems ) and got everything well placed according to that..

im using almost same setup:

EVGA x58 3x SLI classified

Intel Core i7 920

Corsair H80

Corsair AX1200

2 x EVGA GTX 580 SC

Corsair Force GT 120

1tb hdd

12gb Corsair dominator GT in triple channel

 

[sonicfantom]

It sounds like that specific eVGA X58 SLI motherboard has an incompatibility with Corsair's H80.

Try sending an email to eVGA support, see what their opinion on this is - a simple BIOS update might get it to behave. All I can suggest is using the Cooler Master for the time being.