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PC won't start

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15 replies

by g... 1 view

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Hei all!

I'm actually having a problem with a computer I built. It just won't start.
The MB (ASUS A8R-MVP), CPU (ATHLON 3500+), RAM (2x1GB APACER), the Graphic card(ATI all in wonder) and tower (X-Gear Xyclop) are new. The rest(HD and DVD) is taken from the "replaced" PC.
I put it all together, it has the LED on the MB on but when I press the button, there's only the fan at the back starting for just a moment.

I tryed with only CPU, 1 RAM and video on but nothing there either. I checked and everything is plugged in correctly. (the PWRSW also)

I do think it's the PSU not working properly but it may be anything so the question is:
Is there an easy way to check where the problem is coming from? Like current in the CPU or MB without electrician tools...

Tx

15 replies

by mjd420nova

The only way to check the P/S without a meter,
is to replace it. That's what it sounds like.
With the monitor on before the CPU< turn it on.
If all is well, the video BIOS and amount of
memory it has should be the first display you
see. IF not, the MOBO can't start and you
have no display at all. The fact that the P/S
tries to start says maybe it is a bad MOBO or
video card, try another video card in a different
slot too.

by g...

I thought of that (with the "try each elements alone in a working PC") but I'm looking for an easier way meaning that I don't really want to open another box to check the first one.
But thanks anyway

by zlitocook

First if it is a new motherboard it has a P4 connector on it, a P4 is what it sounds like a four-prong connector on the board. This has to be connected to the power supply, if the power supply dose not have one you will need to buy a new one with one. If the memory is not inserted correctly it will do the same thing.

Look at the manual that came with the mother board to make sure all the jumpers are set right, if the jumper for the CPU is set wrong it will not start or the memory. Check the manual to see how to reset the bios.
If it still dose nothing buy a cheap power supply, if that dose not work. You can try things like replacing memory etc. But it may be time to take it to a shop and get a second opinion.

by g...

Like I said: everything is plugged correctly. I did this many times before and the P4, CPU and memory are in as they're supposed to be.
I did check the manual several times and ask someone else to check it as well... to make sure I didn't pass something.

by kawarimi

There is no easy way unless u got the right tools. A not properly positioned processor might give u these kind of symthomps too, since there is power flow throught the mobo now let's check the others, don't forget to configure your proc. speed, a mobo may not start due to higher proc. speed which it can't stand.

by fushigi681

Remove all the cable connections. Observe the motherboard and all hardware installed. Then one by one connect all the cable. Don't forget the power cable, then check all the cable if its properly connected. Then try to power on. Observe what happen.

If no response, please tell me.

by hal 9000

Ring the parts supplier and ask this[b]Is there a Known Problem with ASus M'Board XYZ and ATI Video Card ABC?[/b]

In every case like this that I've run into it is a Chip Set incompatibility between the M'Board and Video Card that is causing this problem another brand of Video Card with the same Chip Set or a different Chip Set Video card will almost certainly fix your problem.

Col

by saihib

Take a good hard look at how your motherboard is installed. From what you describe it may be shorted to the case.

by g...

That was it! I don't really know where it came from but when I took the MB out to test in another box, there was a little "wire" (more lite iron dust actually) between the MB and the box.
Thanl you!

by ozi eagle

My first inclination is to change the psu.
You will have to crack another box for a test unit.

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