Need help with shutdown at boot.

[Opus007]

Here are my specs:
1. Asus Maximus hero V1 Motherboard
2. G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)
3.Thermaltake SMART M Series SP-850M 850W Power Supply
4.Intel 4770k CPU
5.Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
6.WD3200AAJS WD 320GB HardDrive
7.Evga GTX 650 TI

Usually from a cold boot computer starts for 5-10 seconds, runs through codes and gets to 99 then 00 and then shuts down. Does not happen all the time .Also happens when I boot to a usb flash drive to run a live Linux OS. Things I have tried:
The only OC I have is letting the i4770k run in turbo.

Clear CMOS
Reset bios to default
Run memtest and on both memory modules separately
Reflash bios ...version 1402
Run 1 stick of ram
Reapply artic silver paste
Check motherboard cpu slot and cpu for damaged pins
Run XMP profile
Enter ram settings manually
Check motherboard is not shorting from posts placed improperly
Redo all motherboard jumpers and cables
Set cpu fan to ignore the speed.
Ran prime95
Ran tests on hard drive

So I am at a standstill and have been dealing with this ever since I built this setup. If I push the power button and it shuts down it will usually boot on the next try or two. Once booted I have no problems. Computer runs fine. It is just a pain in the ass as I like to hit the power button and let windows load before I sit down. I am really wishing I would of never bought this board. Anyway... any thoughts or help is appreciated before I go a different route. Thanks.

[MeanMachine]

Hi 0pus007. A frustrating issue and difficult to diagnose.

Super IO Initialization failure Qcode 99 can result from a number of things.
Pore thermal conductivity to CPU or a Dead or failing CPU (check CPU on another MB)
A failing or insufficient PSU (Try another more powerful PSU)
Dead CMOS battery. (Swap)
Failure to populate both 4 and 8 pin MB sockets.
Insufficient cooling.
Component failure on MB.
Conflict with Aisuite (uninstall)

You just about covered everything else so, should the extra checks prove futile, then RMA if under warranty.
Did you also benchtest outside the case?
What were results from Prime95.?

Maybe others will come on with other suggestions.

[Opus007]

No. Never bench tested out of box and do not have the results saved. I have been messing with the memory and for some reason the computer when in windows seemed sluggish. I have been running just one stick of ram for a few hours now and win 7 is a lot faster. Have switched to the other ram module and result is same. Have not gone back to both sticks together yet. But still getting shutdowns at boot and now it does not have to be a cold boot as I can turn the computer off and then back on and it shuts down. It is more often if I remove a piece of hardware and re plug something back in. And as I said if I put in a usb flash drive it shuts down in seconds. Think it is time to start over and remove it from the box and add one piece at a time. Very frustrating and not sure if I can RMA as not sure how long I have to RMA it. do you think I should update to latest bios?Thanks for the help.

[MeanMachine]

I thought you flashed your Bios? If not then update,set to defaults.
Flash Bios from USB stick to ROG Connect port.

http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?4808-ASUS-Worldwide-RMA-Guide&country=&status=

[Opus007]

Thanks MeanMachine for your help. I decided to remove the mobo from the case and disconnect everything . I then set the power supply and mobo up on table. Added 1 stick of ram, video card and hard drive. I used the start button on the mobo to power it up. Doing it this way I could not get it repeat the shut down behavior I have been experiencing. I put in a usb flash drive in the rear usb ports and it posted every time. I then added my other stick of ram. No problems. Added second hard drive. No problems. To make a long story short I then started to add the front panel power button and audio. I moved the case close to the mobo so I could do this and Problem. As soon as I plugged in the power switch and turned the power on using the front panel power button it powered up and shut down. So I removed a power switch from another computer and used it and all works great now. Just amazes me how a bad or shorting power button can cause such havoc.
It has done this since day one of this build . The computer is faster than ever and temps are 28c at idle and 50-55 on load. Spent the whole day on this today but could not be happier as I have it all back together and running like I expected and wanted it to from day one. This can be marked SOLVED and thanks again.

[MeanMachine]

That's good news 0pus007 and thank you for your feedback.

[Opus007]

I did flash the bios from USB using the flashback port and button on back panel of computer. Then reset all to defaults. I flashed it 1402 or should say reflashed it to 1402. Made no difference.

[HiVizMan]

Well done both. Have repped you MM