New system teething problems

PureAppleJuice · 28 Jul 2011 at 20:08

Hello all,

I've assembled my new system (minus the new case, whacked it in an old one, sigh). So, everything is wired up and it looks ready to go, but upon pressing the power switch the PSU fan spins for all of half a second, then nothing, silence, and it won't spin the fin for that half a second unless the PSU has been off for a little while.

Any thoughts? I might be making some school boy errors here...

Jordan97 · 28 Jul 2011 at 20:11

Motherboard standoffs in correctly?

CPU 12v 4/8-pin connector in?

PureAppleJuice · 28 Jul 2011 at 20:14

Sorry, what do you mean by standoffs? As in, mounted to the case correctly?

PureAppleJuice · 28 Jul 2011 at 20:17

Okay, it looks like it's mounted fine... The PSU makes a clicking sound just after the fan shuts off. Could it be shorting somewhere? I've had a look but can't see anything obvious!

Jordan97 · 28 Jul 2011 at 20:19

Included with the case there should be little gold screws that go into the case. The motherboard is then placed on top of these standoffs and screwed into them. This prevents the motherboard from touching the case and shorting out. They look like this:

PureAppleJuice · 28 Jul 2011 at 20:27

Yep, they're all fine.

Is it worth taking the motherboard out of the case and powering it on using a screwdriver to see if that would work? Could be me crappy temporary case shorting it somewhere...

Jordan97 · 28 Jul 2011 at 20:30

There's no harm in trying I suppose.

What is your entire spec including the PSU make and model?

PureAppleJuice · 28 Jul 2011 at 20:38

AMD Llano A-3850
Kingston HyperX Genesis 2x4gb
OCZ Vertex 30gb
WD Caviar Blue 500gb
XFX Core Edition 550W PSU
Gigabyte GA-A75M-UD2H AMD A75 Mobo.

Any suggestions as to what I should put the motherboard on if I take it out of the case? Unvarnished wood?

Jordan97 · 28 Jul 2011 at 20:46

If you have still got the motherboard box, then put it on that. Otherwise I'm not really sure.

PSU calculator says that you would only need 350W, so you've got enough power. Hmm.. :confused:

PureAppleJuice · 28 Jul 2011 at 20:52

Right- Have taken it out. Same result, really odd. I'd assume dud motherboard? I'd be surprised if it was DOA and as always I was absolutely careful in handling it when taking it out of packaging i.e. discharging static elsewhere and so on.

I'm going to wait until my proper case comes, hopefully tomorrow and see if I get the same result, bizarrely leaving technology alone just... only occasionally... makes it work, haha.

Jordan97 · 28 Jul 2011 at 20:55

Try with only one stick of RAM, if you get the same results, switch them over.

Then try with only one of the drives in. First the SSD, then swap it for the HDD.

PureAppleJuice · 28 Jul 2011 at 21:07

Okay, tried it without any other components in. I.e. the set up consists of the motherboard, PSU, CPU and that's it. The system should still power on like that right? But alas, nothing.

RMA the motherboard?

Jordan97 · 28 Jul 2011 at 21:25

It would need RAM for it to power on. Do you get any beeps at all? If not, then I think the RMA may be necessary :/

PureAppleJuice · 28 Jul 2011 at 21:28

Nope, nothing! Time to RMA. Back to the drawing board, sigh!

Jordan97 · 28 Jul 2011 at 21:32

Yep, I would say that the motherboard is definitely dead and that an RMA is in order. Good luck!

PureAppleJuice · 28 Jul 2011 at 21:37

Thanks- hope OcUK sort it quickly cough hint hint for any staff who are reading

nelviss · 28 Jul 2011 at 22:14

like you say strip it all down and give it a good talking to (then let it sit over night thinking), once the compolants have absorbed you threats then all may be fine, if that dont work then a RMA

PureAppleJuice · 28 Jul 2011 at 22:22

Haha, yes, I have boxed my goodies away and shall try over the weekend, will RMA it on Monday methinks!

Is there anyway to check that it IS the motherboard not the PSU? Sadly I don't have another desktop to test with!

Jordan97 · 28 Jul 2011 at 22:28

Well there is the paper clip trick if you want to try it. You will have to follow instructions very carefully though otherwise you might ending giving yourself a nasty shock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FWXgQSokF4

Although it says for Corsair PSU's it will work with any make.

PureAppleJuice · 29 Jul 2011 at 21:13

Right- After receiving my case, set it all up. PSU fans don't even move. Anyway, tried the paper clip trick- nothing, guessing the PSU is a dud, not the motherboard. I'm just hoping that where I set the lot up that somehow the PSU didn't take the other components with it...