Just wondering if anyone could help me, i just built a new system: p5gdc deluxe mobo, 3.2 ghz p4 CPU, nVidia 6800GS vid card, 250gb western digital sata hard drive, 8x dvd burner, 52x cd burner, 1GB DDR2 533 RAM, and a new antec sonata 2 450w PSU case... i put everything together and now when i try to boot the computer up, it stayed on for about 30 seconds and then shut itself down, everything ran fine up to that point, now, the CPU fan isn't all the way fastened onto the mobo, with the socket 775 CPUs the fan goes around the outside of the CPU on the mobo, and i can't get all the fasteners into place, i can get 3 of them into place, but NEVER the 4TH... so do you think it could be that the thermal compound isn't evenly distributed over the CPU and it's heating up and the computer is shutting down? i've retried putting the heatsink/fan on and no luck... i also noticed that the thermal compound is looking really thin under there, could it be that i need more compound on there? thanks for any help,
MIKEAre you able to turn it STRAIGHT back on?
Can you get into the BIOS and check the hardware monitor to see whet the cpu is running at?

I would say if it has FOUR tabs then you need to use all of them, it wont be dispersing the heat properly and if it heats too much can fry your cpu.
You shouldn't need too much compound, and with even pressure it will distribute itself properly.

Try clamping the fasteners in criss cross patterns, and alternate which one you start with if it doesn't work the first time.Michael Olson.....Without being there and seeing whats going on ...it sounds like the CPU isnt properly seated in the socket ......and the overtemp sensor is shutting things down ...... Have you doublechecked the pins on the PROCESSOR to be certain the one or more aren't distorted or bent slightly ...preventing the CPU from seating properly .   The thermal paste should be applied evenly according to the manufacturers recomendation.

let us know

dl65  Maybe a look here may help>http://www.overclock.co.uk/customer/product.php?productid=18721

or dabs .com/scan......ukIf the cpu isnt in place and the heatsink and fan isnt seated right, you will get this problem.More thermal goo can make it actually run hotter than cooler. Of course getting everything properly attached is a MUST!