[quote=“walter,post:22,topic:39856"”]
And it gets more interesting.
I pull the case, and swap HDs. I notice that the CPU fan (~3 month old Intel unit that came with the CPU) is acting like a retard on ridilin. It sort of moves, but never spins up.
I try loading with the new HD and get the same issue. On a fresh HD.
Can it be that the mobo is sensing that the fan is not working properly, and shutting everything down?
[/quote]
Go into the BIOS and check the thermal shutdown tolerances. Usually you can change when the system shuts down. I would venture to guess that you have identified the problem. A good test would be to open up the case, have a fan blow directly into the case and see if you can get it to boot. If so, you know what the problem is. Regardless, get that heatsink/fan replaced.