My computer is home built, and 6 months old. It was all running fine until last night when i tried to re-install Windows XP. Everything seemed to install fine until the computer had to re start and since it hasn't been getting past the windows logo loading page. The computer just turns off as it would if it was over heating.

Then after a few attempts to get it working the fans stopped starting up. The BIOS seem all fine but I'm left with fans which don't start at all and a computer that starts booting up for 10 seconds before turning itself off.

I'm not sure if it's to do with the (Abit aa8 duramax) motherboard or to do with trying to reinstall windows. But the computer won't stay on long enough to have mess about with in hope of finding a solution. I think it's the overheating issue as it stays on longer if left to cool down for a while... but as I said, I can't see a problem in the BIOS.

I'm stuck.... anyone know what the heck is wrong with it and how I can go about fixing it and getting the fans working?

Why did you reinstall XP?

Try this - if there is a power switch on the back of your PC power supply, turn it off. Unplug the power from the wall, then hold down the PC's power button for about 3 secs.. After a few momnets, plug the power cord back into the wall and see what's going on.

You would think that if it was an overheating issue, it would have done it during the XP install. The install is pretty machine intensive and utilizes the CPU, drives and memory quite a bit.

Check installation of the components, memory, CPU, motherboard, etc. When things get warmer, they expand and can exhibit symptoms. Check to see if motherboard may be shorting against your case.

Rule #1: Good Computers don't go down.
Rule #2: There is no such thing as a good computer.