E835 one second it's working, the next it isn't. It's definitely the microphone, not the cord, snake or soundboard. I checked for continuity between the xlr pins and the internal wires that are connected to them. It looks like the problem is in the head. Any suggestions?

SOURCE: Hi, I have a Shure Untdyne

Amphenol -> XLR
Pin 1 -> Pin 1
Pin 4 -> Pin 2
Pin 3 -> Pin 2

SOURCE: i got a cable to hook my MXL 990 condenser

Professional condensor type mikes require a phantom power source to work. That will be a balanced (read XLR) connection from source to preamp and the preamp must be capable of supplying the power. These units cannot be used in an unbalanced circuit (like 1/4" or computer mini-pin). Your best bet for the setup would be to get an external power supply box that can also convert the signal from balanced to unbalanced. That would be what the mike plugs into and then that plugs into the computer. You're probably looking at about 50-100 for even a cheap one that will work well. Companies like Sweetwater and B&H should be able to steer you toward a decent basic unit. If you happen to have a mixer (which is why you bought the good mike) then it may have phantom power for some of its mike inputs.

SOURCE: Microphone came with male XLR not soldered. What

http://pinouts.ru/Home/xlr6_pinout.shtml That should do it.
Good Luck, Cody J.

SOURCE: im doing some audio recording

Phantom Power (or an internal battery) is needed to operate 'Condenser' type microphones.
The E835S from Sennheiser is a 'dynamic' microphone and, as such, does not require any power source for it to operate.
If you are using several different types of microphone together (dynamic and condenser) it should be quite safe to have phantom power on - it won't cause any damage to the Sennheiser.
However 'ribbon' microphones will be destroyed by phantom power