New PC not booting

[Orion]

Hi, I put a computer together today with almost all new components. The only component that isn't new is the PSU but it was working late last year.

The issue I'm having is when I try to turn the computer on all the fans spin for about a second or two then turn off and spin again, so on and so forth.
I've tried without ram to see if I get any beeps and there were none, tried with and without the graphics card, same thing.

The current components are

450-500w Thermaltake PSU
Nvidia gtx 660 Graphics Card
DDR3 4 or 8gb ram(can't remember>_>)
Gigabyte B85M-D2V Motherboard

*edit*
I forgot to mention, the ram I'm using has two red lights in either side and they do light up when I try to turn the computer on.

[Orion]

I also bought a new PSU, problem still persists.

[Geek-9pm]

Well... you have done what seems reasonable.
Your tried no graphics.
You tried no RAM
You replaced the PSU.

You also need to  test the Hard drive and anything else connected to the computer.

You may have to contact the vendor and request a RMA for the motherboard.

[Orion]

I got the board replaced but the problem persists, I'm really not sure what the issue could be.

[Calum]

You haven't mentioned what processor you're using, that would be useful to know.
Only other thing I would suggest is to try the motherboard, CPU and RAM only, outside of the motherboard on a nonconductive surface such as the motherboard box.  Hook it up to the PSU and use a screwdriver to briefly short the power switch pins on the front panel header to turn it on.  This would rule out a grounding/shorting issue inside the case.

[Orion]

I'm using an i3 4160, I've tried with just motherboard, cpu and ram on a box, did all that didn't change anything.

[Calum]

Based on what you've said - that you've tried everything outside the case, tried two different PSUs (one brand new, one was working not so long ago), and two boards - I'd say that assuming you have tried each stick of RAM individually, the only thing left is a dead CPU, however unlikely that is.  I've built over 3000 computers and I can't recall ever getting a CPU that was dead out of the box, but it's not impossible.  The only other suggestion I could make is to try that processor in another compatible board and see if the other board POSTs or not, just to make absolutely sure.

[Orion]

Would a faulty/dead cpu cause the fans to spin then stop then repeat indefinitely? I've never experienced a faulty cpu before.

[Calum]

It could do yes, could also be a faulty board, PSU, cables not plugged in, a short, CPU not recognised (BIOS update required), or several other things. but you've pretty much ruled out everything else.

[turchmania]

I am having this exact issue.  All new components in old case.  It sounds like i should be looking at the case.
Do you suggest shorting across the on-off switch pins to rule out a bad switch?  Is that what I'm reading?

[Calum]

Partly, but partly because it'd be difficult to use the case's power switch if you're testing outside the case
I have seen faulty power or reset switches cause issues before though so it's always worth ruling them out.

[patio]

I am having this exact issue.  All new components in old case.  It sounds like i should be looking at the case.
Do you suggest shorting across the on-off switch pins to rule out a bad switch?  Is that what I'm reading?

You need to start your own Topic so it can recieve the proper attention...

[Orion]

I'm really at a loss here, tried a new cpu and the same happened.

[PCdoc]

From my experience, I have seen that the main connector coming from the PSU fits sometimes lose. Because of which the fans rotate and stop immediately.  Holding that connector or movingthe connector or wires a little bit sometimes powers on your machine. But as soon as you take your hand away from that connector, the fans stop.

[Orion]

I've tried that, I've used two power supplys and both have the same issue... it really doesn't make sense.

*edit*

Well after some searching with my specific motherboard model it turns out they need to have the F3 bios version but are shipped with F1 or F2... how do I upgrade the bios now?

[Geek-9pm]

You have a
Gigabyte B85M-D2V Motherboard
And you are using a i3 4160 CPU.
The CPU pins may have be bent or damaged.
The socket looks like this:

Photo from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_1150
At this point you need to confirm that the CPU was properly placed in the socket.
You have already eliminated most other possibilities.

[Orion]

Not sure if you saw my edit on the first page but I've discovered the motherboard I have got isn't shipped with the correct bios version for my cpu... I bought revision 1.1 which apparently is shipped with f1 or f2 as the bios or something... I need to upgrade to f3 or more in order to use my i3 but I doubt there is any store that sells an old enough cpu that will work.

[Geek-9pm]

If you ordered it with the right BIOS, they should have shipped it with that in place.
In general, a motherboard has to be working to upgrade the BIOS.
So the older BIOS will not work with a newer Intel i3 chip?
Does it say that in the documentation?
Do you know of  a link for the manual?
I would like to look at it.

[Orion]

http://download.gigabyte.eu/FileList/Manual/mb_manual_ga-b85m-d2v_e.pdf

According to what I've read the 1.1 revision of the board doesnt ship with the F3 bios which is needed for most new chips(read in threads that is).

http://www.gigabyte.com.au/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4729#bios

The motherboards are fully functional but have a old bios version which won't read the i3, that's my understanding.

[camerongray]

Just to be clear, you have tried each stick of RAM separately and you are sure that you are connecting both the 24pin and the 4/8pin CPU power connectors from your PSU to the motherboard?

[Orion]

Yes, I am currently using the ram sticks in another computer for the time being.

I'm almost certain it's to do with the bios now, multiple people have had the same issue with the specific motherboard model I'm having the problem with.

[DaveLembke]

If you know of someone with an older CPU to borrow that is supported by this board you could boot the system off of that CPU and flash the BIOS and then perform the upgrade. Many years ago I even bought a cheap Celeron CPU that no one wanted on ebay for $8 that was supported under all BIOS versions for the Dell Inspiron and used that as the temp CPU to allow the flash and then was able to upgrade to the better Pentium 4 HT CPU that wasnt supported under the initial BIOS version on a Dell tower. I havce also loaned an older Socket AM2 CPU to a friend who had an older ASUS motherboard that supported Dual-Core CPU's with specific BIOS version and he was able to use the Athlon 64 3500+ single-core to flash his BIOS and then install the better AMD Athlon 4850e dual-core.

[coastie65]

Hi, There has been some good input here and I feel lie something is being overlooked. I would start by Breadboarding it again ( outside of the case ). Make sure your CPU is properly installed ( I have seen them installed wrong, and they worked ). Your Processor had Integrated graphics. so I would just hook the monitor up to that port. Plug in one stick of ram. Make sure the PSU 24 pin Connector is in an snug to where the clip is engaged. The same with the PC Power Cables. Do not hook anything else up. Turn it on. It shoiuld POST to the manufacturer's splash screen and you wil get a single beep. If you get anything else, make a not and post it here.