home built pc troubles

[jim_campbell]

hello all, i'm having trouble w/ a new home-built pc. basically, it
won't do anything. the cpu fan goes, but there's no picture coming on
the monitor, the HD's don't spin, and the cd drive won't open. ha.

i've taken everything apart so that it is just the mb sitting on a
non-conductive surface, and i only have the CPU, video card, and RAM
installed. the monitor works when i plug it into my laptop, but
nothing happens when I have just those items set up.

it's an AOpen motherboard
(http://global.aopen.com.tw/Products/mb/AK86-L.htm)
AMD sempron 2800+ processor
Centon 512MB PC2700 DDR ram (1 chip)
GeForce FX 5200 video card (AGP)

Please help. This is the 2nd time I've tried to build up a PC, and I
don't want to be throwing my $$ away.

Thank you!

 

[Matt]

hello all, i'm having trouble w/ a new home-built pc. basically, it
won't do anything. the cpu fan goes, but there's no picture coming on
the monitor, the HD's don't spin, and the cd drive won't open. ha.

i've taken everything apart so that it is just the mb sitting on a
non-conductive surface, and i only have the CPU, video card, and RAM
installed.

Dumb*ss, you will also need a power supply.

the monitor works when i plug it into my laptop, but

nothing happens when I have just those items set up.

it's an AOpen motherboard
(http://global.aopen.com.tw/Products/mb/AK86-L.htm)
AMD sempron 2800+ processor
Centon 512MB PC2700 DDR ram (1 chip)
GeForce FX 5200 video card (AGP)

Please help. This is the 2nd time I've tried to build up a PC, and I
don't want to be throwing my $$ away.

Did you use a power supply on your first build?

 

[Jan Alter]

Hi,

Your computer does not need to have the hard drive or cd-rom connected
to get a picture on the monitor so disconnect them (power off of course).
Additionally, re-seat the video card. One of the prime reasons for
everything running but no picture is a poorly seated video card. Further,
there is a 4 prong squarish connector for cpu power on newer boards. This
must be connected if you're to get the cpu running. Good luck.

 

[Kadaitcha Man]

Jan Alter, <[email protected]>, the sybaritic, horizontally enhanced
miscreant, and person employed to tap the heads of nodding dog ornaments on
the dashboards of Volvos in sales yards, cried:

Further, there is a 4 prong squarish connector
for cpu power on newer boards. This must be connected if you're to
get the cpu running.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! PMSL

 

[jwcampbell]

Actually, when I connect that additional 4-pronged connector the the
mb, the system shuts down. the cpu fan stops spinng altogether. I've
tried connecting it to the mb each of the 4 different ways that it
could possibly go, with the same result each time.

Also, my friend and i tried seating and reseating the video card, so...
I'm not sure if that would be the problem.

Thanks for your help.

 

[jwcampbell]

Of course... I have a 400W power supply.

 

[Mike Hollywood]

I put one together once and put the heat sink on backwards, on an AMD chip,
not realizing the pad wasn't in the center of the heat sink. What happened
was the system would start to go and then shut down after a few seconds, but
that doesn't seem to be your problem, but I'd look at the CPU/heat sink
assembly anyway just to be sure. Maybe reseat the CPU.

Plug a keyboard into it and watch the keyboard when you hit the power
switch. I read somewhere that if the lights on the keyboard flash that
indicates the cpu\mobo is OK, but I never was able to verify that.

I'm assuming it doesn't POST. (power on self test gives a single beep if
all's OK. from the mobo's logic point of view.)

After the post it goes and looks for an operating system.
The mobo supplies the video stuff during POST, so if there's no video it's
gotta be one of the components you're down to.

The first thing we need to know, does it post?

Mike

 

[jwcampbell]

Thanks, Mike. Unfortunately, it does not post. The keyboard would
light up when connected to the mobo, if that means anything.

 

[Sparex]

easiest test i know to see if your MB is defective.. power off,
disconnect all drives, and remove the ram..

if you get beeps.. your good.. no beeps.. your MB is probally dead...
or using one of those wierd and rare voice posts (had an Abit board
with one of those.. No beeps but when you plug in speakers you get
voiced errors Like "System Fail Cpu Test" or "Boot-up Complete, Loading
Operating system").. if you think it might have one of those.. plug in
your speakers to the on-board sound and listen.. if no sound at all no
POST beeps or voices.. then that would leave me to belive your MB or
CPU is dead or improperly setup. Check EVERYTHING. even the CPU remove
it and look for bent pins or poorly applied termal if you put it on
yourself, Artic silver needs to be a thin film on the top.. not a thick
gooey mess.. See below for more troubleshooting info..

you get error beeps, dont worry about what ones they are.. it's obvious
what ones they are.. the RAM codes. power down, plug in 1 stick of ram
and power up again.

Test Setup: (and Troubleshooting info/tips)
MB (properly configured, Check your manual to make sure jumpers are
right and settings are correct, if jumpers are right, reset your BIOS)
CPU (installed properly and CPU Fan pluged into CPU fan port, you have
a smart BIOS, no CPU fan sensor.. no boot cause it assumes you dont
have a fan and fails the system.)
1 Stick of ram (for testing, out to test MB, IN to test everything
else)
Video Card (properly seated and powered if it has the power port but i
dont think yours has it)

with that setup, if you got beeps on the no ram test, then its probally
your video.

Thats it.. No data cables at all going to the MB no power to drives.

if you still get no where.. test all your parts that you can test in a
working system.

 

[Bob M]

Of course... I have a 400W power supply.

Ok but just because it's a 400w PSU doesn't mean that it's a good one.
What brand PSU is it?

Bob

 

[DaveW]

As you've discovered, building a computer by putting the parts together is
not that hard. It's the TROUBLESHOOTING skills that are required when it
doesn't work that are what it's all about.

 

[Ruel Smith]

Of course... I have a 400W power supply.

What brand? It makes a difference...

 

[djs0302]

hello all, i'm having trouble w/ a new home-built pc. basically, it
won't do anything. the cpu fan goes, but there's no picture coming on
the monitor, the HD's don't spin, and the cd drive won't open. ha.

If the cpu fan is working but the hard drive and cd rom aren't you
could try checking the power connections to those devices. Have you
checked to see if the hard drive and cd drive work in another computer?
If you're not getting a picture on your monitor have you considered the
problem may be with the monitor itself? Is everything connected
properly? Does the video card work in another computer?

 

[Bob Kruse]

the cpu fan goes,

Dumb*ss, you will also need a power supply.

Matt can't read. That doesn't mean he's a dumb*ss, mind you. He just
can't read

Does the monitor light not come on when you turn everything on? Based
on what you've written, it should be a yellow light.

Also, does the power supply fan not come on? You said the cpu fan
comes on but that's all. Based on that, I'd say there's a big problem
with the power supply.

What's throwing me is that the two issues are separate and not
connected at all unless you have the monitor and the cpu connected
through a faulty power strip or UPS.

So, if the monitor doesn't come on AND only the cpu fan runs, I'd
change what they're plugged into and see what happens.

If the monitor light comes on but it's yellow and the cpu fan only
comes on (and not the power supply fan), I'd replace the power supply.

If the monitor light is yellow, the power supply fan comes on and the
cpu fan too, check your connection of the power supply to the
motherboard (and all the other connections while you're at it) and
then try powering up again. If still nothing, it may be the
motherboard is bad. But before I returned it, I'd take the power
supply in to Comp USA or somewhere that will test it. That way you
will know for sure before you return the motherboard.

Bob

 

[Matt]

Of course... I have a 400W power supply.

Oh, silly me, of course, you said the CPU fan was turning. Besides, I
should have expected you to know that you needed a "power supply".

 

[Matt]

the cpu fan goes,



Matt can't read. That doesn't mean he's a dumb*ss, mind you. He just
can't read

Quit calling me a dumb*ss.

 

[Matt]

Actually, when I connect that additional 4-pronged connector the the
mb, the system shuts down. the cpu fan stops spinng altogether. I've
tried connecting it to the mb each of the 4 different ways that it
could possibly go, with the same result each time.

If you plugged that connector four different ways and turned the system
on each time, I would say that you burned something or tripped a circuit
breaker. Two of those lines are ground, and the other two are 12V.
Doubtful that it's even possible to plug it more than one way without
cutting molex.

 

[djs0302]

Actually, when I connect that additional 4-pronged connector the the
mb, the system shuts down. the cpu fan stops spinng altogether. I've
tried connecting it to the mb each of the 4 different ways that it
could possibly go, with the same result each time.

Now how on earth could you do that? My 4 pin connector has two yellow
and two black wires connected to it and it has a clip on the end so it
can only be connected to the motherboard one way. You've probably
damaged your motherboard and/or processor when you connected the 4 pin
connector the wrong way. If you've tried building a computer twice and
failed both times it sounds like you need more hands on help than what
can be given here.

 

[jaster]

hello all, i'm having trouble w/ a new home-built pc. basically, it
won't do anything. the cpu fan goes, but there's no picture coming on
the monitor, the HD's don't spin, and the cd drive won't open. ha.

i've taken everything apart so that it is just the mb sitting on a
non-conductive surface, and i only have the CPU, video card, and RAM
installed. the monitor works when i plug it into my laptop, but nothing
happens when I have just those items set up.

it's an AOpen motherboard
(http://global.aopen.com.tw/Products/mb/AK86-L.htm) AMD sempron 2800+
processor
Centon 512MB PC2700 DDR ram (1 chip)
GeForce FX 5200 video card (AGP)

Please help. This is the 2nd time I've tried to build up a PC, and I
don't want to be throwing my $$ away.

Thank you!

After reading what you've tried and others suggestions at this point I'd
exchange the motherboard and cpu for replacements. Tell them it parts
were DOA.

I don't think you read the manual that came with your motherboard or was
on the CD, so READ THE MANUAL. It's unusal to damage a board, cpu, psu or
memory unless you plug in the wrong electrical connections or physically
damage the part. But you might have damaged some or more of your high
quality components.

I think if you connected the power wiring correctly and only added the
video, cpu, cpu fan, memory and didn't get video or beeps then you
didn't seat the memory or video securely. One or two beeps indicates no
memory.

You could try connecting those basic components and a case fan again but
if it doesn't boot it could be anything, but spinning fans (psu, cpu,
case) would indicate power passing through the m/b and cpu.

Some stores (Frys, CompUSA) for a fee will test your components for you.
If you've mail ordered your parts you're between a rock and hard place.
Manufacturers will usually replace boxed components, thoug return
fees add to the overall cost.