I recently bought a brand new Intel Core 2 Quad 9550.  I've turned the pc on twice to try and adjust some settings in the bios screen, but the computer shuts down after 5-10 seconds!  Here's my specs:
 
ASUS P5N-D Mobo
8GB DDR2 RAM
EVGA GeForce GTS 250 1GB
600 Watt PSU
Windows 7 Ultimate Edition 64bit

do you see the post screen?

^ i was just about to say this also any beeps from the motherboard?

You put themal paste on it right?

I tried a third time and got to the windows splash screen but that froze and pc shutdown again. I didn't hear any beeps. Do you think the new thermal compound needs to just work itself in?

The thermal compound should work correctly. I'm guessing it's overheating somehow. Maybe you didn't put on the heatsink properly, even if you put on thermal paste. Just try to reseat your cpu heatsink and try again. Also I hope you didn't bent any of your pins.

The heatsink had pre-applied compound on it, i'll go reseat the heatsink fan though and see what happens

If you can get into the BIOS check cpu temps. Also make sure your heatsink is on right.

hmm first thing i'd try is craking open the case reseat all the cables and components then try again if that doesn't work seems like a job for google because it could be any number of things. 
 
Edit: Also if you have the old CPU to hand try re-installing that if everything works fine it sounds like you got a dead one,it's rare but it happenes, when i got my first 8800 i tried for hours to fix it just to find it was fooked before i even got it.

 Alright i'm back on my native pc (Jenkins 2.0) and i reseated the heatsink; then i ran system repair.  Restarted and everything works fine, should i just let this baby run for a bit to work it in? Or just play games nao?    

I knew it was the heatsink, do what you want it's your pc, it shouldn't be a problem now.

Thanks everyone, it's nice to know that there's still a portion of PC gamers that aren't elitist jerks and will help others lol

" Thanks everyone, it's nice to know that there's still a portion of PC gamers that aren't elitist jerks and will help others lol "

you should have bought a console instead BOOM

" you should have bought a console instead BOOM "

" you should have bought a console instead BOOM "

"  Alright i'm back on my native pc (Jenkins 2.0) and i reseated the heatsink; then i ran system repair.  Restarted and everything works fine, should i just let this baby run for a bit to work it in? Or just play games nao?     "

yay PC. sorry heard someone yell flamebait. 

" @trophyhunter said:

" you should have bought a console instead BOOM "

PC's aren't for everyone and consoles aren't for everyone.  We can all find our own comfy habitat "

Those Intel push pins are a bastard aren't they?  IMO the best stock HSF mounting system was the lever system used on AMD's socket 939, made it impossible to put the heat sink on wrong and made the progress a cinch.

download prime95 and run it for an hour or more. I do this with every  new CPU even when it's not overclocked. Good way to burn it in.

I have to say very good choice with the motherboard. :)

i have another push pin that i bought but it's so wobbly now so i'm just gonna use the stock intel one and not overclock

" download prime95 and run it for an hour or more. I do this with every  new CPU even when it's not overclocked. Good way to burn it in. "

If you're going to reseat the cpu, use some good aftermarket thermal paste. Arctic Silver works wonders.

glad to hear you got it woking, my personal way too stress test is install one of my favourite games and smash it for a few hours. No crashes means everything should be fine enjoy.

" download prime95 and run it for an hour or more. I do this with every  new CPU even when it's not overclocked. Good way to burn it in. "