System build problem !

Stolly · 4 Feb 2007 at 15:47

I've just built a PC based on this

Asrock Conroe945G-DVI (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard

GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC5300 667MHz Value DDR2 Dual Channel Kit

Antec NeoHE 380W Modular ATX2.0 PSU

Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB 3200KS SATA-II 16MB Cache - Intel

Celeron D 356 3.33GHz (LGA775)

Its just for web browsing and email etc, so no great performance needed.

Reused case, DVD drive etc etc

Problems started when i turned it on. Fans spun on heatsink, PSU but no life other than that. No beeps, or attempts to light the case power lights etc.

I tried a few things like removing the CMOS battery for 30 mins, and then using the clear CMOS jumpers with no luck. In fact, things got worse because now it powers up, then turns off after 20 secs or so.

Pointers ? Somethings DOA fairly obviously but CPU, Motherboard or PSU ? Or a combination ?

Unless its the case itself causing the problem. The donor case did come from a knackered old PC, but its just a case after all.

Help !

Stolly · 4 Feb 2007 at 19:47

I'm going to try a different case if i can get one, has a case ever caused these problems for anyone ?

Trigger · 4 Feb 2007 at 21:59

Nah, case will have nothing to do with it however it could be the way you have mounted it in the case (Could be shorting or something). Have you connected both the 24pin connector AND the ATX12V 4 pin as well? If you have then I would just try reseating everything first, try one stick of RAM and alternate etc and then just strip the system down to barebones- mobo, cpu, psu, ram and gpu and see what happens then

Shicky · 4 Feb 2007 at 22:18

i see you suggest the power connectors everytime now due to me trigger! Heh just wanted to make sure u got a big thanks, you saved my sanity and now the pc is working a dream!

Trigger · 4 Feb 2007 at 22:24

Shicky said:
i see you suggest the power connectors everytime now due to me trigger! Heh just wanted to make sure u got a big thanks, you saved my sanity and now the pc is working a dream!

Hehe

Your welcome mate- glad I could help

It's always nice when it's nothing major that stops the PC working- sending different components back and forth for RMA etc can prove tiresome so it's always good when it's just an extra power connector that needs plugging in or a RAM reseat that gets it going

Stolly · 4 Feb 2007 at 22:50

Trigger said:
Nah, case will have nothing to do with it however it could be the way you have mounted it in the case (Could be shorting or something). Have you connected both the 24pin connector AND the ATX12V 4 pin as well? If you have then I would just try reseating everything first, try one stick of RAM and alternate etc and then just strip the system down to barebones- mobo, cpu, psu, ram and gpu and see what happens then

Yep tried all that. Both power are connected, reseated the memory, swapped them around tried just one, tried with just the basics etc etc

Trigger · 4 Feb 2007 at 22:54

Hmm, could try reseating the CPU and graphics card. Also make sure the heatsink fan power cable is connected securely because if the system thinks there's no fan there then it will cut out. Check for any excessive heat on the CPU at boot up as well by holding your fingers against the heatsink- although I doubt it will get too hot within 20 seconds for it to cut out, I guess anything's possible

One final thing I can think of is trying to boot it outside the case to eliminate any shorting problems etc. Good Luck

Stolly · 4 Feb 2007 at 23:21

Trigger said:
Hmm, could try reseating the CPU and graphics card. Also make sure the heatsink fan power cable is connected securely because if the system thinks there's no fan there then it will cut out. Check for any excessive heat on the CPU at boot up as well by holding your fingers against the heatsink- although I doubt it will get too hot within 20 seconds for it to cut out, I guess anything's possible One final thing I can think of is trying to boot it outside the case to eliminate any shorting problems etc. Good Luck

Its got integrated video so there's nothing to do there, and i did reseat the CPU and check the fan.

Didn't try it outside the case though, but the case has been OK for years.....

I'm going to get the motherboard RMA'd i think, can't think of anything else to do really.

Stolly · 5 Feb 2007 at 14:29

I've spoken to a very nice chap at OcUK, got the board RMA'd.

Just to cover all bases i've bought a new case as well. The old one was a little bit tatty anyway.