Computer is a vegtable!!!

[Devin]

i just bought an asus p4sdx mobo, 2.4ghz intel celiron chip, western
digital 160gb hd, 52x24x52 cdrw, 16x dvd, 1 dimm k byte 512 ddr333
pc2700 memory, asylum gforce fx 5200 128mb video card (8x agp), and
put it all together. However, after putting it all together, the
computer turns on, but nothing happens! When i say nothing, i mean
nothing. the computer turns on, but no beeps or floppy checks or
anything. the hard drive starts to spin, the fans all go on, but
there is no POST, no video no anything. ive checked all of my
connections and re checked them. i reset the bios and everything else
i could have checked. ive also unplugged all unneccessary
peripherals, (ie. cdrw, dvd, front panel usb/audio, etc.) and that did
not work. i originally had the hard drive hooked up to an ata card,
b/c of its size, but then i just hooked it upto the primary ide slot
just to see if the computer would boot. nothing. also, when i had the
cdrw & dvd hooked upto the secondary ide and the hard drive to the
primary ide or the ata card, the hdd light on the front would be
constantly lit up. Does this mean anything? i also pulled the memory
dimm, and it gave me 1 long beep, so i know that it does recognize the
memory(when it is in) which i thought that it was not doing. i also
tried booting it with just the processor, video card, and memory.
NOTHING!!! i think that is everything. has anyone else had this
problem? could my mobo be shot? could it be a bad processor? what can
i do? i need some help...thanks

 

[Muttley]

i just bought an asus p4sdx mobo, 2.4ghz intel celiron chip, western
digital 160gb hd, 52x24x52 cdrw, 16x dvd, 1 dimm k byte 512 ddr333
pc2700 memory, asylum gforce fx 5200 128mb video card (8x agp), and
put it all together. However, after putting it all together, the
computer turns on, but nothing happens! When i say nothing, i mean
nothing. the computer turns on, but no beeps or floppy checks or
anything. the hard drive starts to spin, the fans all go on, but
there is no POST, no video no anything. ive checked all of my
connections and re checked them. i reset the bios and everything else
i could have checked. ive also unplugged all unneccessary
peripherals, (ie. cdrw, dvd, front panel usb/audio, etc.) and that did
not work. i originally had the hard drive hooked up to an ata card,
b/c of its size, but then i just hooked it upto the primary ide slot
just to see if the computer would boot. nothing. also, when i had the
cdrw & dvd hooked upto the secondary ide and the hard drive to the
primary ide or the ata card, the hdd light on the front would be
constantly lit up. Does this mean anything? i also pulled the memory
dimm, and it gave me 1 long beep, so i know that it does recognize the
memory(when it is in) which i thought that it was not doing. i also
tried booting it with just the processor, video card, and memory.
NOTHING!!! i think that is everything. has anyone else had this
problem? could my mobo be shot? could it be a bad processor? what can
i do? i need some help...thanks

-------------------------------------------------
Hi Devin,

Man that sux.
I'm guessing that the CPU is probably Ok. AFAIK, the CPU has to be going for
the POST beeps to occur when you had the memory unplugged.

Basically, if everything is brand new and unused, then EVERYTHING in the box
is suspect. Even the case itself, if it has moulded humps as the board
mountings, and the case switches/LEDs could be wired incorrectly.

The following is everything I can think of to try at the moment. Will not be
in step by step or logical order. Just as it comes to mind.

I suggest that you persist with the basic setup of Case/Power Supply +
Motherboard + CPU + RAM + Video and keyboard, and get that setup fully
POSTing before adding anything else. Not much to choose from if this basic
setup won't boot.

You could try running the board out of the case (will eliminate case
mounting short circuits), but I definitely wouldn't recommend trying it
unless your 100% sure of what you are doing. It's too easy to short
something out and blow up the lot, if you're not careful. Static damage is
also a risk.

Try booting up without the Video card fitted, should get lots of beeps
indicating a video problem.

Any chance of testing the RAM + Videocard in another PC?

Power supply could be faulty, try another if possible.
Video card could be faulty, try another, even a PCI vga card will do. Just
make sure it's a 1.5V AGP card if trying an older AGP card.
The RAM could be faulty or just not compatible with this particular
motherboard, try another module or a different brand of RAM. Try different
RAM slots.
Did you fully seat the CPU before locking it in place? Did you have the CPU
locking arm fully open when inserting the CPU? Is the CPU heatsink properly
fitted?
I guess the CPU could be faulty in some way, but I think it's unlikely,
unless it was damaged before fitment. I can't recall ever seeing a faulty
Intel CPU, other than ones that were physically damaged or had broken/bent
pins.
If all other fault finding attempts fail, then one could probably assume
that the motherboard is faulty. Try another.

Check that you have mounted the board in the case correctly. ie Check that
there are no extra standoffs/mounting posts under the board that don't match
up to mounting holes in the motherboard. Check the MB holes and mounting
screw holes are aligned nicely. Check that nothing has become stuck between
the board and the case. ie screws, etc...
Check that you have all power supply cables connected. ie the 12V 4 pin plug
and does the FX5200 have it's own power connector too?
Check that the Video card is fully seated in the AGP slot, and the AGP
locking pin/tab is engaged (if this board has one).
Disconnect ALL of the front panel wires except the power switch, just in
case one of the others are connected/wired wrong. - Reset switch could be
faulty and holding the reset line in the reset condition. I think I recall
that an incorrectly connected/wired front panel USB port connector can kill
a board if you are unlucky.
Check that the CMOS battery is ok. A flat battery can cause a board to not
bootup.
Check the clear CMOS jumper is in the normal position.

My guesses in order of what I think would be the most likely problem are:
RAM, Videocard, Power Supply, MotherBoard, CPU, Case(could be more likely if
the case is a dirt-cheapy).

That's all I can think of at this time.
Best of luck.

John S.

 

[GMAN]

i just bought an asus p4sdx mobo, 2.4ghz intel celiron chip, western
digital 160gb hd, 52x24x52 cdrw, 16x dvd, 1 dimm k byte 512 ddr333
pc2700 memory, asylum gforce fx 5200 128mb video card (8x agp), and
put it all together. However, after putting it all together, the
computer turns on, but nothing happens! When i say nothing, i mean
nothing. the computer turns on, but no beeps or floppy checks or
anything. the hard drive starts to spin, the fans all go on, but
there is no POST, no video no anything. ive checked all of my
connections and re checked them. i reset the bios and everything else
i could have checked. ive also unplugged all unneccessary
peripherals, (ie. cdrw, dvd, front panel usb/audio, etc.) and that did
not work. i originally had the hard drive hooked up to an ata card,
b/c of its size, but then i just hooked it upto the primary ide slot
just to see if the computer would boot. nothing. also, when i had the
cdrw & dvd hooked upto the secondary ide and the hard drive to the
primary ide or the ata card, the hdd light on the front would be
constantly lit up. Does this mean anything? i also pulled the memory
dimm, and it gave me 1 long beep, so i know that it does recognize the
memory(when it is in) which i thought that it was not doing. i also
tried booting it with just the processor, video card, and memory.
NOTHING!!! i think that is everything. has anyone else had this
problem? could my mobo be shot? could it be a bad processor? what can
i do? i need some help...thanks

Did you connect both PS cables. I see alot of people either not use the
correct power supply or they forget to connet the little 4 position 12v cable

 

[Devin]

just letting everyone kno...my memory chip was a bad dimm...so i
returned it and got a new one...and success!! it works now...thanks
for all ur help everyone