64 not booting =(

[Farmer]

Yeah, same guy who had the pin problem yesterday.

Well, the system turns on fine, PSU powers up, all the fans start spinning right away, hard drive spins, video cooler spins, but, no display, no POST beep. RAM activity lights show nothing. I checked all the power connections, everything seems fine. Just nothing.

Well, heres specs-

AMD 64 2GHz
MSI K8T Neo
1 gig Corsair RAM
Radeon 9800XT
Hitachi 160gb SATA
Antec 480W PSU

Any ideas? Could it be the RAM?

 

[Ionizer86]

1) Here's what I'd do first. Take everything out of the case, put the board on a box and put in the CPU, HSF, ram, and video card. Hook up the power and boot to see what happens. If the same thing happens, continue:

2) Do you have anything to test with? Like do you have a buddy who uses DDR that'll let you try the ram out in his/her system? Could you swap the PSU, CPU, ram with friends?

3) Swapping would just be precautionary to single down what's wrong. It does sound like the board is the one that needs to get RMAd though. If you do #1 and it still doesn't work, and if you don't find any other piece that's no good (or are unable to swap out parts), I'd RMA the board.

 

[Peter D]

Did you plug in the auxillary 4-pin power connector on the board?

 

[Pistolero]

Hey...
I remember reading something about RAM timings on the new 64 bit boards...
Read this: http://www.mushkin.com/epages/Mushkin.storefront/3fea2893014491b8273fc0a80102064b/UserTemplate/27
Go down to the bottom part that says "Athlon64 3200+ and Higher"
Also...if you have never successfully booted before...check all the wires...all the plugs...jumpers...switches, etc...
Don't expect new setups to work first time you get everything plugged in, chances are something is loose, etc.

 

[Swanny]

Check how you have the board mounted in the case to make sure it's not causing any shorts.

 

[Farmer]

All:

Thanks for all the suggestions and reminders. I guess I'm a little optimistic (my first two systems booted first time without a hitch). I'll be dedicating Christmas day to getting this system to boot, so I'll keep you guys posted.

Vegetto: You mean the CPU power by the northbridge? Yeah, I did plug that in. Thanks for the reminder, anyway.

Well, whaddya know, its around midnight (well for me, at least), so Merry Christmas, everyone.

 

[mrgoblin]

Hey if it doesnt work compusa 20 bucks they figure it out for ya. I didint have a spare 2500+ and mobo to figure out why my stuff wouldnt post. Turns out both died

 

[Farmer]

Well, it looks like I'm gonna have to RMA the MSI board. I have rechecked all connections, switched out RAM, video card, tried different RAM slots. Still nothing but fans. So, if anyone's got a reason not to RMA, please say before its too late.

I'm actually considering RMAing the CPU as well, just to make sure. Does this sound like a good idea?

 

[Ionizer86]

CPUs are usually good. I don't think there'd be a need to RMA more than the board. Besides, the chances that two things are dead are slim. And the symptoms you're getting sound just like when I had a DOA EPoX board. Good luck with the second board, and enjoy your special 25th!

 

[Ant001]

How did you turn on the computer? My friend had the exact problem, and it turned out his reset button was shorted and constantly sending a reset signal. If you haven't already, disconnect the wires to the case.

 

[Farmer]

Ant001:

I have taken the board out of the case and turned the system on with a screwdiver, but, to no avail. Still no POST. The memory LEDs show three red; I really don't know what three red indicates, and I can't find an explanation anywhere on Corsair's site. Thanks for info, though, I would have never thought of a shorted button.

Ionizer:

Thanks for the tip, but I'll still try to RMA it, considering the bent pin issue I had before =). They may just send me back my old CPU, but its worth a try. Merry christmas to you too.

---

So, anyone have experience with Newegg RMA?

 

[Farmer]

Sorry for digging up an old thread, but I felt that starting a new one would leave people lost.

UPDATE:

Well, unexpectedly, I got my RMA peices back from Newegg today. Replaced CPU and mobo. I'll see if it boots.

I say unexpectedly because I shipped the hardware to them the week after Christmas, it got to them this past Monday, and its already here. I guess Newegg works fast, but, according to their website, they are still processing the RMA.

Well, I'll give an update later.

 

[MrScott81]

good luck

 

[Farmer]

Thanks, scottdog, luck would be greatly appreciated I'm going to go boot it now.

UPDATE:

It...boots perfectly. YES!

Well, I guess it was a DOA mobo after all. Thanks to Ionizer for first pointing that out. I guess I'll be putting the stuff in the case now and setting everything else up. And this heatsink thermal sensor actually works.

Thanks to all who have replied to this thread; your advice has been invaluable to me through this process. The exact problem with the original motherboard I guess I will never know, but many of the points you guys pointed out would have been overlooked by me (especially the shorting on-button).

Well, I guess I better get to work...

 

[Farmer]

Well, I'm all done with the hardware portion. System POSTs fine, but, of course, theres nothing to boot from yet, so I'll install XP tomorrow. Meanwhile, I uploaded two pics of from today. First one is the first boot, second after I put everything in the case (also notice I use my kitchen for work). This is probably the worst job of hiding the wires I have ever done. Maybe, if I ever get the time, I'll sleeve all the wires. Then again, it may be fine just the way it is. (Note: The ATX 12v came presleeved).

First Boot
Everything in the case

Props to titansfan098 for free hosting.