New Build Will Not Power Up

[Deaddog]

I am building a new PC, haven't done this since the mid-90's. I have an
Asus A7N8X-X board and a 400w power supply. When I try to power up the
system I get nothing. I have checked and double checked that the power
switch cord and the restart cords are going to the right connectors. I have
also pulled in a known good PS and that did not start up the system. I've
also removed all devices (except the processor) and tried to power up the
board by itself.

Has anyone with this board run into this kind of trouble? I'm fairly sure
that the problem is some configuration issue on my end and not a HW issue.

Thanks for your time,

George

 

[Jan Alter]

Lots to consider.
Check that on/off switch connector is truly connected to the correct pins
on the mb.
If, remotely the switch is dead you could tryp powering on with a screw
driver blade touching the two contacts for power momentarily.
Check that there is a HSF connected to the mb. Many boards will simply not
power up if they sense that there is no CPU fan.
The voltage switch on the PS should be either 115 or unmoveably set.
Reread the manual to see if all jumpers are truly set to their default
positions.
Reseat the video card, or try a different one.
Check that RAM is seated fully.

 

[obiborn_kenobe]

Does the light come on to indicate AGP card seated? (red for no, green for
yes) This would indicate if there is power to the MoBo
Do the fans spin at all?
Is the CPU fan sensor connected to MoBo correctly, remember on this MoBo
there are 3 fan connectors (CPU, PSU & Chassis) it will not boot if it
thinks there is no CPU fan

try pulling out the case power leads i.e on switch, restart and IDE activity
LEDs. I have this MoBo and it completed a POST with only CPU, Fan, RAM and
AGP card in situ.

Try to powerup with MoBo out of case (ensure it is not touching metal
underneath) this will eliminate any short circuit issues.

Mark

 

[Jeff Heyen]

To build on what Jan Alter replied, here's some other things I'd check:

- Make sure you have a case standoff for each and every mounting hole in
your mobo.
- Try to boot w/ the bare minimum: video card, one stick of memory, no
drives.

If that doesn't do it, take everything out of the case and set it on a
non-conductive surface,
such as the foam shipping pad that came in the mobo box.

If that doesn't do it, clear the CMOS via the jumper (often times the only
jumper on a board
these days).

FWIW I just went through this. Nothing seemed to make a difference. After
one flakey boot,
nada. Ended up my new board )EPoX EP-4PDA2+) had ten mounting holes, while
previous board had nine. After installing a tenth standoff, and clearing
the CMOS the board has now been rock-solid for three weeks.

Jeff