boot display problem

[miceormen]

Hi all

Just built the following system using an old mobo + cpu i had laying around, both serviceable last time used:
AMD 939 3500 (used)
Asus A8N-E (used)
Corsair xms3200 2x1gb sticks (used)
Corsair 400w psu (new)
Ati hd4550 (new)
Caviar blue 500gb hdd (new)

All connected as far as i can see, tried connecting 2 different monitors (to vga and dvi) and even a telly to the S-Video, but despite the box booting i see nothing on the screen.

Any ideas?

 

[miceormen]

I can't set the hdd as the primary boot device in the bios, because i can't SEE the bios. I'll repeat. Everything is connected, i press the power button, the fans on the northbridge, cpu cooler, psu and gfx card come on, the hard drive spools up. But nothing appears on screen. The monitor states there is no input.

I've just reseated the graphics card, still nothing on the screen. There isn't a beep from the motherboard either, of any sort. The motherboard's green light is on, but I know all that does is register the presence of the 5v output, correct? Could it be the battery needs replacing?

The gpu doesn't need any pci-e power beyond that provided through the motherboard.. Or rather, there is no socket present on the card. So short of splicing wires i'm assuming its like my old 6600 and doesnt need any more oomph.

I don't want to believe its a dead mobo. The ram has always been exceptional as well, though i'll try your idea Ast3r. I've got my 88gts out of my old rig now, gonna give that a try.

 

[miceormen]

Its sorted. : )

Took it all apart, reseated the cpu and tried individual sticks of ram, tried my 88gts to no avail, tried a fourth monitor and running a variety of primary ide n sata connections.

Then realised I hadn't plugged the psu into the 12v connector on the motherboard. I'd been ignoring it because on almost all my other mobos its lined up next to the main power socket. Doh!

Plugged in a 6pin output, put the new gpu in, all working FINE. Have to say the WD Caviar Blue is a fantastic hard drive. I've used a velociraptor amongst other fast single platter drives (HD322HJ's) before and neither were close to the time it took to fully format and install XP this BIGGER drive. Got it installed in a little under 50 minutes.

Cheers for all the suggestions guys. Next time one of these problems occurs with me or anyone else we should just ban us from the forum until we wake the **** up. : )