Chaintech SLI Motherboard Install problems

[James Markum]

I need some help. I have been making a new computer with parts I have
purchased, and so far it has felt like a total train-wreck. First-
here's the parts list for my busted down PC..

Chaintech VNF4 nForce4 Skt 939 mobo (PCI Express)
AMD 64 3200
AMD Heatsink/fan (came with CPU)
Ultra 512 x 2 3200 DDR SDRAM
XFX GeForce 6600 GT (PCIe)
Diablo 450-watt SATA-ready Power supply
Seagate 120 GB SATA hard drive
Asus CD-S520 CD Rom
Diablo Tek Bio ATX Mid-Tower
Mouse, keyboard, etc etc..

Okay- started building the PC.. got out computer repair tools,
anti-static mat & grounding wristband etc. Set up Jumpers (well
not really- left them at default settings for most), put in CPU and
Fan, Ram, blah blah blah- Pretty much most of the construction went
without a hitch.

Then I got to adding the Power supply, and found that the Motherboard
had a 24-pin power-supply socket, and my powersuply is only 20-pins.
I called Tigerdirect.com (who had sold me the parts) and their tech
desk said to put the power-supply in the middle (using the 3-22 pins)
of the socket. I did, and my 3 case fans and Power-supply fan started
running.. and I could smell something burning.. Okay.. that was a bad
idea.
Later on I was able to check online and found that several sources
said to plug in the power-supply on the first 20 pins, and leave the
last 4 empty. I did so, and walah- I have power. Next I hooked a
monitor up to the DVI->VGA adapter, and attached the adapter to
the Video card.

Turned the power on again, and no video. All of the fans, including
the CPU fan, work.. the Video card is getting power, because its fan
also works. Tried re-seating card,
cleaning card socket..

Oh, and although the power works.. it's a little touch-and-go. it
works, then it doesn't- so I unhook the power for a few minutes, plug
it back in, and it's good. Also- I read elsewhere that you should
plug in a 4-pin power cord to the mobo also?

So I'm wondering.. is the Video Card fried? Or is the Mobo Fried? If
it was the CPU it would power down immediately, right?

It doesnt' appear there's a FSB jumper on this motherboard, so I don't
think that has anything to do with anything. And even if so- it would
boot and report the wrong speeds or some error on the bootup screen.
All I want at this point is some video period.

Mind you- it has a S-Video port I haven't tried yet, although I don't
think I'd want to hook my PC up to a TV anyhow..

Any ideas anyone has would be great. thanks!

 

[James Markum]

Oh- another thing- The speaker does not beep when it boots up.. could
that reflect something with the CPU installation?

 

[Conor]

So I'm wondering.. is the Video Card fried? Or is the Mobo Fried? If
it was the CPU it would power down immediately, right?

The burning smell from the incorrect connecting of the PSU power is a
bit of a clue don't you think?

 

[Michael Hawes]

The burning smell from the incorrect connecting of the PSU power is a
bit of a clue don't you think?
--
Conor

An imperfect plan executed violently is far superior to a perfect plan.
-- George Patton

As the supplier told you to connect the PSU that way, take it all back
and tell them to sort it, motherboard and PSU most likely suspects. Yes you
need to connect the 4pin power connector. If motherboard does not have 4pin
socket you need CORRECT model PSU or a converter plug of some sort....
eg. http://www.casetech.co.uk/product.php?productid=17421&cat=295&bestseller
Mike.

 

[James Markum]

Forgive my ignorance- I've never fried parts before (I suppose I've
just had really good luck?) but... with the smell, although I powered
it down rather quickly after smelling it (also- no smoke was present),
what are the chances - Theoretically - that I toasted my Mobo or the
PSU?

As far as the pin connectors go- I have the one 24 pin connector (and
the incorrect 20 pin power supply) and also a 4-pin connector on the
board. So connect the 20 pin supply, and match the 4-pin (which I
understand is normally for Pentium mobos?) to it's socket?

thanks for the replies, btw!