Jimi, Just a thought, have you tried another monitor? Since you've changed parts out, I assume you've had to re-connect the monitor which would probably rule out the cable connection. -Phil- On 3/2/09, jimi moore <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Great ideas once again Dean. I have tried a couple of them already. The HD > and Graphics card are still fine. New PS checks out also. I may have > mis-wrote in my first post. The computer never GETS to post. I get nothing > but a black screen. The cpu and case fans run. No error beeps. I have left > the power on for up to ten minutes. No smoke or smell, I touched the ics > chips and they were cool. I just have two 2048 matching ram sticks and have > interchanged them a few times. I haven't pulled the cpu yet so I may try > that. I have replaced cpu's before and I think I got the paste on right but > who knows. It just acts like the mb is dead. > > Thanks, > > jimi > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Dean Kukral" <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Sunday, March 01, 2009 12:41 PM > Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] New Build > > >> This is bad news because the only parts that you are re-using are, as I >> understand it, the case and power supply (now replaced), >> HDD, and graphics card. >> >> The HDD and Graphics card checked out okay on another computer, and the >> power supply was replaced. HMM. >> >> I would go back and re-test the HDD and graphics card on another computer >> just in case the failing (?) power supply smoked them. >> Not likely unless the graphics card has it's own power connector. But I >> would try it. Also, you are actually able to SEE stuff on >> the screen, because you know that you are seeing the POST, so that the >> graphics card is okay. >> >> Now, after a good scream and, perhaps, a cry, I would do a few more >> things, one at a time. I don't know how experienced you are, so >> I'll just give you the spiel. >> >> First, I would re-install the cpu and cpu cooler, making sure that the >> heat-goo (artic silver or whatever) has been properly >> distributed. I have done this many times, but the last time I did it (I >> replaced a crummy ASUS motherboard with an EVGA) the >> computer shut down very fast, but after the POST. Looking at the cpu, I >> discovered that somehow part of the cpu did not have the >> artic silver on it thick enough. After cleaning it off and replacing it, >> the computer worked much better. It had been shutting >> down automatically when the cpu got overheated. It is conceivable that >> your cpu is overheating very rapidly for some reason. Boy, >> I hope that your power supply did not trash the cpu! I doubt it, because >> it did get that far. I mean, you got a bios notice at the >> top and then a description of the basic system and then the POST and then >> no further, right? >> >> Then, disconnect as much as you can and still get the computer to boot up >> to the POST. You'll need to keep the video card and one >> stick of memory. Test it, then test the other stick. One at a time. See >> >> if you can get farther than the POST. You might have to >> have the hard drive connected to give the power supply a load. The less >> that you have connected the better. No cd or DVD drives or >> sound cards or anything if you can help it! Not even the internet or >> printer. You do need the keyboard, but not the mouse. >> >> If you can not get past the POST with the stripped system, then you have >> something fundamentally wrong. If the graphics card and >> HDD check out on another computer, then it is your motherboard, cpu, or >> memory. And if the system fails with both sticks of memory >> (I assume that you have two or more), tested one at a time, then it is >> probably not the memory as it is unlikely that more than one >> stick of the memory failed at the same time (unless the power supply some >> how cooked them). If you have success, then add pieces >> one at a time to see if you can find the piece that is causing the >> trouble. >> >> Of the above, given your description, thermal shutdown seems most likely. >> >> There is another possibility that you need to be sure to check. If this >> is a new motherboard and you have a large amount of memory, >> are you certain that the POST is not doing a full check? When I build a >> new computer, I always run the full POST to make sure the >> memory is okay. This can take a long time. (Five minutes?) Then, I go >> into the cmos settings and tell it to use the quick POST, >> which bypasses the memory test. If your old computer had its cmos battery >> >> fail (they last about three years give or take a few >> years), then the cmos settings are lost and you likely default to the full >> >> POST with the long memory test. >> >> I'm sorry if you know all this already. If it is all new to you, then >> feel free to ask any more questions. It never hurts to have >> someone else go over things that you might have missed. >> >> >> Dean Kukral >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "jimi moore" <[log in to unmask]> >> >> >> Thanks Dean for your insightful reply. In fact we got a PS tester and the >> ps >> was bad! We bought another one..checked it before installing it and it was >> fine...low and behold. The same results for the system..can't get by post! >> This was a bundle from tigerdirect which i've never had a problem with >> before but i'm starting to wonder now. >> >> jim >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Dean Kukral" <[log in to unmask]> >> >> >>> It sort of points to the power supply, doesn't it? You had the same >>> problem with the old system, and the other two parts test okay >>> in another system, so it is reasonable to suspect the power supply. >>> >>> Also, your two basic "known's" are not correct. First of all, some >>> things >>> could be going and/or lit up, but the power supply still >>> could be weak enough to not be able to boot the whole system. Second, >>> things could have come dead on arrival. Many of the bad >>> reviews on NewEgg.com come from people who got bad products. Some even >>> returned the product and got another bad product >>> replacement! I think that you are right to think that this is rare. But >>> I can tell you that I once got an ASUS motherboard, which >>> in the past was known for quality, with bad networking hardware right out >>> of the box. >>> >>> One thing that you might try is to unhook the power to the hard drive and >>> see if you can get past POST. That would indicate that >>> the power supply can supply a little power, but not enough to get the job >>> done. The one problem with this test is that some power >>> supplies need a load to start up, and the motherboard may not be enough >>> of >>> a load by itself. >>> >>> http://www.pcpower.com/support/ATX_troubleshoot.htm has a check for a >>> power supply, but it is a very poor test. Your power supply >>> could be failing and still pass this test. (I have had a power supply >>> that passed this test but was no good.) You might try it >>> anyway. If it passes, then that does not mean anything, but if it fails, >>> then you know that the power supply is bad. >>> >>> Make sure that the motherboard is standing well off of the case so that >>> there is no chance of the traces on the bottom of the >>> motherboard touching the case, except where the stand-offs are screwed >>> in. >>> >>> If you can borrow a power supply to try the system out, then that would >>> be >>> ideal. Swapping in new parts one at a time can get >>> expensive. Cheap power supplies are not too bad (nice to have a spare), >>> but powerful game power supplies can run pretty expensive. >>> >>> And, of course, there is the time-honored technique of disconnecting >>> everything and adding components one at a time, with the caveat >>> that the power supply may need a load to run at all. So, you may have to >>> leave a drive connected. >>> >>> HTH >>> >>> Dean Kukral >>> >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "jimi moore" <[log in to unmask]> >>> >>> >>> I've recently started building a new computer. I believe I've assembled >>> all >>> of the parts and connections correctly. The problem however is that upon >>> booting up, the system doesn't past POST. There are no sounds, and no >>> beep. >>> There is also no red light showing at all. However all of the fans are >>> spinning, and there is a green light on the motherboard, so I know it's >>> getting power. My system specs are as follows: >>> >>> Power Supply: 700W GameXstream >>> Motherboard: Asus P5N-D >>> Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 >>> RAM: Two 2048MB sticks of DDR2 Corsair RAM. >>> Graphics Card: Nvidia 8800 GTS >>> HDD: 500 GB Western Digital Caviar >>> >>> The HDD, Graphics Card, and Power Supply are from my old system. Now, the >>> reason for building a new one in the first place was that my old one was >>> having the exact same error. I know the HDD works, because I've tested it >>> in >>> another machine. I've also tested the Graphics Card in another machine. >>> Both >>> worked flawlessly. I highly doubt it's the Power Supply, because of the >>> green light on the motherboard and the fact that all of the fans spin. I >>> also doubt the new parts I've ordered were shipped dead on arrival. Hence >>> we >>> have a problem that really confuses me. I am getting the same error in my >>> new machine as I was having in my old, but the only things that could be >>> the >>> problem I'm certain are not. >>> >>> So, can anybody help me out here? >>> >>> Jimi Moore >> >> The NOSPIN Group has added a new feature on our website, >> web based bulletinboard for questions and answers: >> Visit our sister website at http://nospin.com > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.5/1978 - Release Date: 03/01/09 > 07:04:00 > > PCBUILD maintains hundreds of useful files for download > visit our download web page at: > http://freepctech.com/downloads.shtml > The NOSPIN Group Promotions is now offering our special coffee mugs and mouse pads with the PCBUILD logo... at a great price!!! http://freepctech.com/goodies/promotions.shtml