on-off loop in new computer

[DarklordKyo]

Not exactly sure what you mean.
Impossible for us to tell if dropping your graphics card will have damaged it.

When you have the old components setup;
Does the onboard graphics of the old MB work?
Does the old graphics card work?
Does the new graphics card work?

It is some-what common to get dead components out of the box, so these issues may be caused by a faulty CPU.
However your dad having to 'improvise' to get the cooler on points to incorrect CPU installation.

Have you checked the pins on the CPU are not bent?
Have you attached a speaker to hear the post beeps (they are error codes)?

http://www.gigabyte.com.au/support-downloads/faq-page.aspx?fid=816

I had full old parts when the "no display, but no restart" thing, so can't be faulty placement (since the old parts were assembled by a dood with actual competence, as opposed to me).

Also, the cooler problem shouldn't be faulty placement since I made sure to check for the triangle before placing the cpu. It slotted easily, don't know why the cooler had attachment problems.

 

[DarklordKyo]

If that's the case then just remove the GPU, your current CPU is an APU meaning that it has an integrated graphics chip.

As an aside, sorry I was a dick. I was pissed at myself for being incompetent, and there's no good reason to lash out like I did.

 

[TechNoFear]

Also, the cooler problem shouldn't be faulty placement since I made sure to check for the triangle before placing the cpu. It slotted easily, don't know why the cooler had attachment problems.

There are 2 scenarios; you have a dead component OR you have not put the PC together correctly.

Impossible to tell which it is.

IMO you need to try to eliminate any error on your part first.

Have you taken the new PC completely apart and put it back together again?

In these situations I first try to step away for a moment to get a fresh perspective.
I try to get any more info I can, check for some videos / tutes / etc.
Try to make these as specific to your hardware as possible.

Then I take the PC completely apart and start again fresh.
I take my time and give myself the best chance to get it right.
I build the minimum working PC (only PSU, MB, CPU + cooler, 1 RAM in slot 1, 1 HD, nothing else) and test it.
If the minimum does not work then I try to isolate the issue (see the tests in my previous post).

If it still does not work it is then time to get someone else to help.

How hard is it to return the parts?
(Can you go to the assembled PC shop and ask them to take a look? Do you know anyone else you can ask to take a look?)

 

[Laughing Man]

Nope, the only other PSU I have was the piece of crap I replaced with the current one.

Your PSU is dead, the guy in the second post nailed this one right off the bat. It's hard to say exactly what has failed without seeing the setup of the leads but I am guessing that one of the rails on your PSU is either duff or not up to the task. With the new card and parts the computer just flicks back and forth between booting and shutting down instantly. With the old components the computer is booting but their isn't enough power to get your graphics card to boot up.

Quick and easy test, the PSU has two rails, not to get in to too great a depth but rails are basically power supplies, with a maximum amperage / wattage that can be pulled on each rail. If you pull more amperage or wattage than the rail can provide you get issues.

Since the biggest draw on the PSU is the GPU and given that you have had issues with your old GPU once reinstalled I would start by finding the cable / s that plug in to the GPU, trace them back to the PSU and if it's a modular unit unplug that cable from the PSU and plug it in to another socket on the PSU. If it isn't modular have a look and see if their is another set of GPU plugs, if their are then give them a try.

Best option though would be to flat out replace the PSU.

 

[DarklordKyo]

Your PSU is dead, the guy in the second post nailed this one right off the bat. It's hard to say exactly what has failed without seeing the setup of the leads but I am guessing that one of the rails on your PSU is either duff or not up to the task. With the new card and parts the computer just flicks back and forth between booting and shutting down instantly. With the old components the computer is booting but their isn't enough power to get your graphics card to boot up.

Quick and easy test, the PSU has two rails, not to get in to too great a depth but rails are basically power supplies, with a maximum amperage / wattage that can be pulled on each rail. If you pull more amperage or wattage than the rail can provide you get issues.

Since the biggest draw on the PSU is the GPU and given that you have had issues with your old GPU once reinstalled I would start by finding the cable / s that plug in to the GPU, trace them back to the PSU and if it's a modular unit unplug that cable from the PSU and plug it in to another socket on the PSU. If it isn't modular have a look and see if their is another set of GPU plugs, if their are then give them a try.

Best option though would be to flat out replace the PSU.

It ain't the psu, considering there was no reset loop when I put the old parts back in.

 

[Laughing Man]

It ain't the psu, considering there was no reset loop when I put the old parts back in.

Okay I am still putting my money on a duff PSU, the fact that it booted (although the GPU didn't power up which should be ringing alarm bells) the old parts doesn't mean that the PSU can't be duff it just means that the old parts aren't drawing enough power to expose the issue.

However,

The most likely causes of power cycling in order of how much a pain in the arse they are to fix, based on the fact that you have already had the mobo out a few times and confirmed that you haven't shorted the motherboard on the case or stand offs, are

1). A CPU cooler not being detected, you mentioned you had issues with your CPU cooler install, check that the cooler fan header plug is plugged in correctly to the correct CPU fan header on the motherboard and is it a three pin plug rather than a two pin plug?
2). The aforementioned PSU issue, a PSU can be bought for ?20 I am not suggesting you use it from that point onwards but it at least lets you test the system with a different PSU, if it is the PSU then you can either then buy a new decent PSU or Warranty your old duff one.
3). Your motherboard is damaged or otherwise fucked, time to get that RMD'ed

GPU, and RAM faults usually result in POST beeps or error messages, issues with the CPU not being installed correctly will result in a system that won't do anything it wouldn't even power cycle as you are describing and a damaged CPU will usually result in issue at POST or during operation.

I've built dozens of computers from scratch over the years and have had two computers do what you are describing, push the power button everything springs in to life, the lights come on the fans spin up, the drives flick in to life and it seems like it's going to all kick in to life only for it to then shut down a few seconds later and then restart the process only stopping when you physically flick the power switch on the PSU. IN BOTH instances replacing the PSU resolved the issue.