Ok, I built a PC for my brother. OS is XP Pro 32 bit. Parts are:

Asus M3N-HT Deluxe
AMD 9850 quad core
4 Gig of Corsair XMS2 memory
300 Gig WD VELOCIRAPTOR HD
EVGA Geforce 260 (x2 though only 1 is installed atm) video card
Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-FI Fatality Sound Card
Coolmax 950w modular power supply
Thermaltake Max Orb CPU cooler

I do have Windows defender, spybot search and destroy and Avast anti-virus installed. The issue I'm having
(listed below) was happening even prior to the installation of that software.


Here is the dilemma. EVERYTHING is running. I took out the SECOND video card due to a possible power consumption issue with such a large video card going SLI, but when we start up the PC it cycles on/off 3-4 times before it finally just STAYS on. What could cause this? I've pulled memory sticks out to see if they might have been defective. They weren't. I've checked all power connections and yet again nothing. The OS is stable, but the only things I can come up with might be a failing PSU (even though its brand new?). Any advice in a direction would be great to alleviate the problem. The PC itself, after its up and running, runs beautifully, but I've never had a PC cycle on and off before staying on before. I'm concerned with damage to the hardware or the CPU/Motherboard from the constant power cycling.

Thanks in advance.

GerryTry CHANGING the boot menu in biosDid you use Thermal Compound assembling the heatsink and CPU ? ?

Is the MaxOrb seated correctly ?Patio:

I used thermal compound on installation. The Max Orb was a little rough to get in, but it finally had properly seated during assembly. The cycling had been happening from just about the get go after assembly and after the first reboot of the windows install.


Xavier:

As in change the boot order? or? Sorry not understanding fully what you're suggesting.

BTW, thanks for the quick replies.

If this CPU shipped with a stock cooling fan i would try that first...
You will need to clean off the Thermal Compound completely and re-apply...
Not fun i know but it will help narrow down the culprit.