HELP New Rig Not Booting

Ivan Drago · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:08

I've just built a new rig (see sig) but it won't boot properly - I get nothing on the screen and can't even get into the bios. The screen's LED stays in the orange stand by state instead of turning green. But the screen is all hooked up properly - Same for the graphics card.

Mobo LED comes on and fans all roar which should rule out mobo and psu. I'm pretty sure I can hear the inital churning of the HD. CD-Rom works. I don't have a floppy drive hooked up - could this cause problems??

Anyone have any ideas? Cheers

IAmATeaf · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:11

Try booting up with just a single RAM stick installed, then if it boots up go into the BIOS and set the required volts for the RAM, install the other sticks and take it from there.

Space Monkey · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:19

I had the exact same problem recently, have now RMA'd the mobo and PSU so i'll be finding out soon whats what.

But trying IAmAteaf's idea wont hurt

Hope you sort it soon

Ivan Drago · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:23

Teaf - I tried that and it doesn't help. I still get 'no signal' on the monitor.

DM - is your spec similar to mine? I would be interested to know how you get on.

Any other ideas

neil_g · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:24

does the mobo have onboard graphics as well? it may be booting to that rather than your graphics card.

and does your graphics card require extra power connector(s) and is it plugged in?

Ivan Drago · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:24

Can I rule out the PSU because it is powering a million fans correctly and lights up the mobo LED?

Ivan Drago · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:30

neil_g said:
does the mobo have onboard graphics as well? it may be booting to that rather than your graphics card.

and does your graphics card require extra power connector(s) and is it plugged in?

I can't see onboard graphics mentioned here:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-258-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=913

Anyway, isn't that a preference I would have to set in the BIOS?

Graphics card has a 6 pin power cable hooked up which I assume is all it needs - I don't seem to have the GC manual.

The GC fan is working so I don't think power supply is an issue.

Space Monkey · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:34

Ivan Drago said:
Can I rule out the PSU because it is powering a million fans correctly and lights up the mobo LED?

Cant rule out the PSU i'm afraid as although mine powered my old Dell pc it had another fault with it which a higher end mobo and parts may have not liked.

{edit} My mobo lit up, all fans ran also but mobo stuck on boot post code 8.7. which related to a 12v CPU power problem, but another PSU didnt solve this issue

My mobo was a P35 but an Abit IP35 Pro, PSU was a Tagan BZ 900w.

The mobo wouldnt boot with my other PSU either, so I guess I was unlucky to have 2 dead parts. I seriously think quality control doesnt exist anymore, they mass produce them and take the hit as and when!

neil_g · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:36

it is a bios option yes. if it were the case youd need to plug the monitor into the onboard graphics, change the bios and then swap to the other.

however you dont have onboard graphcs by the look of it.

you dont need to specify which input (analogue/digital) youre using on the monitor do you?

Egon · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:45

Do you get any audio clues from the motherboard, any beeps at all?

Darryl_1983 · 14 Feb 2008 at 15:02

I've had this before on a new build. Try taking the gfx card out and putting it back in. sometimes on a new card you don't get a good contact when first installing it. actually this has happened to me twice before.

Ivan Drago · 14 Feb 2008 at 15:32

The monitor is fine - it was working with a different rig 10 minutes ago and I don't have to specify dig/analogue.

The mobo is silent - no beeps - what does this mean?

Tried to reseat the GC but to no avail - will try it again tonight.

I'm starting to suspect the PSU. It wouldn't boot my old rig either. I just have trouble believing it is faulty when it is brand new and powers all the fans, GFX fan, CD Rom, HD (I think) - can someone explain the logic as to how it can do this but not boot the system?

Also, is there any way to determine whether the CPU is working ok?

I will report back tonight.

Kearney_1988 · 14 Feb 2008 at 15:55

i had a similar problem but with an e8400 on that board, booted up all the fans spin and HD clicks but nothing on the screen and no POST. I took the memory out and it got a no memory POST. Figured out that the bios needed updating, i borrowed an old 775 and put it in. Booted up first time, updated bios and switched back CPU's and it worked fine. Apperently its common with the wolfies but didnt think on Q6600's. anyways its worth trying without your memory in to find out.

Lee

Kyle009 · 14 Feb 2008 at 16:00

you have definately plugged the PSU power connector into the CPU slot on the motherboard havent you?

Kearney_1988 · 14 Feb 2008 at 16:07

yer its worth checking that one. I fell for it too, built everything and realised i had missed it. had to take it all apart as the heatsink was in the way

Egon · 14 Feb 2008 at 16:09

Ivan Drago said:
The mobo is silent - no beeps - what does this mean?

Motherboard beeps can give a good indication as to what is wrong, the motherboard manual might give you list of beep codes that will tell you exactly what the problem is.

No beeps often indicates PSU or motherboard... but not always.

Ivan Drago said:
Also, is there any way to determine whether the CPU is working ok?

Have you tried reseating the CPU?

Ivan Drago · 15 Feb 2008 at 00:39

Kyle009 said:
you have definately plugged the PSU power connector into the CPU slot on the motherboard havent you?

Kearney_1988 said:
yer its worth checking that one. I fell for it too, built everything and realised i had missed it. had to take it all apart as the heatsink was in the way

Spot on guys! I feel like a proper retard now :confused:

I have only had 2 previous motherboards and neither of them had this second power connection - I assumed all you need was the big 24 pin!

Thanks for pointing out the obvious to a noob :eek:

Owenb · 15 Feb 2008 at 01:02

Ivan Drago said:
Spot on guys! I feel like a proper retard now

I have only had 2 previous motherboards and neither of them had this second power connection - I assumed all you need was the big 24 pin!

Thanks for pointing out the obvious to a noob

Made the same mistake myself, took 2 days to figure it out! :rolleyes:

Had built a good few PC's before so i didn't bother reading the instructions and just did what i normally do!

El_Watcher · 15 Feb 2008 at 12:10

Ivan Drago said:
I'm starting to suspect the PSU. It wouldn't boot my old rig either. I just have trouble believing it is faulty when it is brand new and powers all the fans, GFX fan, CD Rom, HD (I think) - can someone explain the logic as to how it can do this but not boot the system?

Basically the PSU could provide all of the required rails (12V 5V etc), and these may provide enough current to power a fan, but it is not providing enough current to power the CPU, or the Northbridge chip or something.

IAmATeaf · 15 Feb 2008 at 12:35

El_Watcher said:
Basically the PSU could provide all of the required rails (12V 5V etc), and these may provide enough current to power a fan, but it is not providing enough current to power the CPU, or the Northbridge chip or something.

I'd think there would be enough power to get the board to boot with the newer 24 pin connector but it may not be reliable which why mobo manufacturers detect for the presence of this connector and won't let the board boot if it's not connected.

**HELP** New Rig Not Booting

HELP New Rig Not Booting