PC won't work - I suck

Jimmy_S3 · 4 Apr 2013 at 23:08

Hi,

I made an attempt to build my own PC and it seems to have completely failed. I would be very grateful if people could advise me about the possible causes of my problem and how to diagnose it.

When I press the power button, the computer bleeps, the cpu fan starts to spin and the case fan starts to spin. But after 2 or 3 seconds it all stops - including the case light going off.

Then about 5 seconds later it does the same thing. In fact, it keeps on trying and failing.

Specs:
Corsair Builder Series CX 500 Watt ATX/EPS 80 PLUS Bronze Power Supply Unit
Corsair CMZ8GX3M1A1600C10B 8GB (1x 8GB) Vengeance DDR3 Memory Module Kit - Blue
Gigabyte SKT-1155 Z77-DS3H Motherboard
Coolermaster Elite 361 Mini Tower Case for PC - Black

I would be so grateful for any help

Bacon? · 4 Apr 2013 at 23:08

What CPU do you have and do you have a GPU?

trickynickyuk · 5 Apr 2013 at 00:08

have you tried resetting the bios also what CPU and GPU do you have, you could also try an alternative PSU to see if it is that

bremen1874 · 5 Apr 2013 at 00:16

It's often a missing power lead, either the 4/8 pin to the motherboard, or the PCIE connection to a GPU.

jamieoliver22 · 5 Apr 2013 at 00:51

One thing to note, you say it bleeps then turns off. Is it a single bleep or do you hear multiple bleeps? Do you recieve any errors at all?

Make sure all cables are fitted correctly, make sure none are missing.

nuzik · 5 Apr 2013 at 01:23

Has to be an error with the connectivity, has the hdd plugged in?
Do you have your keyboard or mouse plugged in (my old pc won't boot without a mouse)

skylineboy · 5 Apr 2013 at 01:24

If you could take a photo that would really help. Likewise can you let us know the full spec of components...

Jimmy_S3 · 5 Apr 2013 at 07:43

CPU: Intel i5 3570k
no gpu
Using an old maxtor hard drive (see image) whilst I set it up, but my intel 128gb ssd not working either

img: https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=F6C7369DA7E4CDD9!201&authkey=!APY9EaqVXRPcW0U

img2 (close up): https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=F6C7369DA7E4CDD9!202&authkey=!ABpFo5CC6M4CFSo

snips86x · 5 Apr 2013 at 07:57

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the 12v rail in your picture appears to be using an 8pin EPS from the PSU. The manual is only showing it as a 4pin EPS on the motherboard itself.

There should be a 4pin 12v rail or an 8 pin from the PSU and the 8pin should split into 2x4pins.

Can you check this?

Jimmy_S3 · 5 Apr 2013 at 08:23

Not sure. Here's another image that should clarify it though https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=F6C7369DA7E4CDD9!203&authkey=!AMDL7P_MHMb-jdg

snips86x · 5 Apr 2013 at 08:26

Jimmy_S3 said:
Not sure. Here's another image that should clarify it though https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=F6C7369DA7E4CDD9!203&authkey=!AMDL7P_MHMb-jdg

That's the one.

Does it split into 2x4pin? Looks like you've connected it correctly however.

Could be an oveheating issue. Have you checked the CPU for bent pins & re-seating the CPU & Cooler?
Removed the plastic cover from the heatsink?

Jimmy_S3 · 5 Apr 2013 at 08:27

Yes, it does split it into 2 2x2 connections. what does that mean?

EyepodI · 5 Apr 2013 at 08:31

Take the motherboard out of the case and test it outside of the case first. A common problem is that the motherboard is grounding out on a misplaced mounting pin. Test with 1 stick of memory, cpu only and monitor to onboard VGA.

Actually looks like you've got mounting pins in wrong place in that picture. Your missing a mounting in mid left by the looks of that picture.

bemaniac · 5 Apr 2013 at 08:34

I bet you just need to reset the bios switch on the motherboard which has unknowningly been used before. Find the 2 pins and short them for a second.

Jimmy_S3 · 5 Apr 2013 at 08:37

bios reset didn't work, so now i'll take the mobo out of the case and do the bare-essentials test.

thanks for all the suggestions.

snips86x · 5 Apr 2013 at 08:40

Jimmy_S3 said:
Yes, it does split it into 2 2x2 connections. what does that mean?

It allows you to use either 4 where 4 pins are required or 8 in your case.

bemaniac said:
I bet you just need to reset the bios switch on the motherboard which has unknowningly been used before. Find the 2 pins and short them for a second.

Do you know it's near impossible to read your signature?

Jimmy_S3 · 5 Apr 2013 at 08:50

I've taken it out of the case, but still has the same problem. anything else?

snips86x · 5 Apr 2013 at 08:53

Jimmy_S3 said:
I've taken it out of the case, but still has the same problem. anything else?

You could be really unlucky & have a dead board!

EyepodI · 5 Apr 2013 at 08:54

Does it just bleep once or series or bleeps? Usually the bleeps will be code for whatever the problem is in the manual

Jimmy_S3 · 5 Apr 2013 at 09:01

It just bleeps once, the fan starts to spin up, then stops after a couple of seconds. 5 second pause then same again.

here's how it looks now https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=F6C7369DA7E4CDD9!204&authkey=!ABmpx68sWkyeNdY

if the cpu is spinning up, that means the board is getting power to it, though?