Abit VA-10 Not booting POST Probs?

P

Phillip Parr

Hello, when I turn on this newly built PC all devices appear to function
except the screen does not come on and the PC doesn't appear to boot. I have
removed all devices and trid again, cleared the BIOS and even tried to boot
without ram, just cpu+fan. The motherboard does not beep, it simply seems to
do nothing. Any ideas?
 
J

Jim

This can happen if the polarity on any internal USB cable is reversed, check
your motherboard USB connections (if any) again.

Jim
 
P

Phillip Parr

There are no usb connections. I've come to the conclusion that either the
motherboard or CPU is duff. Or both.
 
U

user

Phillip said:
There are no usb connections. I've come to the conclusion that either the
motherboard or CPU is duff. Or both.

Assuming that you have installed the proper RAM and a video card
correctly along with a working processor chip, disconnect ALL drive
cables going to the MB and remove all other plugin cards. Attach the PC
speaker to its connector pins on the MB. Do you hear any beeps when it
is powered up?? Do you now see ANYTHING on the monitor?? If you do,
add one cable at a time until you fail to see something on the monitor.

If you do not see anything on the monitor or hear any beeps, you have
what is called a fatal error. This can be the processor being no good
or the switches used to control it being set incorrectly or bad memory
in that it is not working, or being asked to operate faster than it is
rated. (It goes without saying that the power to the MB is attached
correctly.) Simplify your setup rather than entering many variables to
the situation. If this is the first time the MB has been powered up in
the case, it might be wise to remove it from the case and power it up on
a piece of paper. Sometimes shorts occur to the bottom of the MB due
to standoffs that will prevent its function and the installer is unaware
of them.
 
K

kony

Hello, when I turn on this newly built PC all devices appear to function
except the screen does not come on and the PC doesn't appear to boot. I have
removed all devices and trid again, cleared the BIOS and even tried to boot
without ram, just cpu+fan. The motherboard does not beep, it simply seems to
do nothing. Any ideas?

You absolutely MUST have memory in it to get it to POST, let alone boot.

It's "newly built", but which parts are new? Anything already tested and
proven to work?

Have you tried disconnecting all non-essential (to POSTing) components?
Try it with only the CPU, heatsink/fan, one memory module and the onboard
video. Keyboard/mouse/etc disconnected. Case switches and LEDs also
disconnected. Short the two power switch pins together to try turning it
on.


Check the Clear CMOS jumper, confirm that it's in the correct position.
Rarely a manufacturer might put a plastic insulator under the battery,
remove the battery and confirm that this isn't the situation. Also
double-check any other jumpers, if there are any.

Is it mounted in a case? Is it possible you have extra motherboard
standoffs installed where there shouldn't be any?

if there's a jumper for FSB speed, you might try setting that to the
minimum speed setting, which could be underclocking the CPU but for the
time being the goal would be to simply get the board to POST.

How about the power supply? New or confirmed working? If new, have you
checked the AC input voltage switch on the rear (if it has one)? Is it a
known good name-brand with adequate capacity for the system? If there's
any question about it and you have a multimeter, take voltage readings.
 
P

Phillip Parr

I've done everything everyone's asking me to do, it may be a new system but
I'm not exactly a novice! It's definatly a fault with something, I'll send
it back and tell you what their opinion is!
 
U

user

Phillip said:
I've done everything everyone's asking me to do, it may be a new system but
I'm not exactly a novice! It's definatly a fault with something, I'll send
it back and tell you what their opinion is!
Philip,

It is very difficult to tell that a poster is not a novice when there
are very few details given. The more information a poster gives, the
more likely it is that others will be able to help.
 
P

Phillip Parr

I'm sorry. The solution was simpler then you'd think too... I bought a new
PSU with both types of power connectors as the motherboard has plugs for
both (the manual says only one is required to be plugged in). Funnily enough
it works just fine with both, so the manual was lying! Thanks for your help.

Phillip said:
I've done everything everyone's asking me to do, it may be a new system but
I'm not exactly a novice! It's definatly a fault with something, I'll send
it back and tell you what their opinion is!
Philip,

It is very difficult to tell that a poster is not a novice when there
are very few details given. The more information a poster gives, the
more likely it is that others will be able to help.
 
K

kony

I'm sorry. The solution was simpler then you'd think too... I bought a new
PSU with both types of power connectors as the motherboard has plugs for
both (the manual says only one is required to be plugged in). Funnily enough
it works just fine with both, so the manual was lying! Thanks for your help.

Regardless of what (any board's) manual says, the 12V connector should
always be used.
 

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