At my wit's end with new rig

[HermDogg]

Alright so I recently purchased

PCCHIPS M916 Mobo
Intel Celeron 1.8 GhZ Socket 478
256 MB PC2100 266 RAM (Generic)
Biostar GeForce MX4000 64 MB DDR

And am using
Maxtor 40GB
Envision 7100Si monitor
Old (can't remember manufacturer) 4x4x12 CD-RW

I bought this to try to learn Linux on, and got it to start up after re-seating RAM and Video card a few times. I did this late at night, and when I couldn't get it to take Linux (numerous errors across multiple flavors), I gave up and went to bed. I went to try it again this morning, I now receive nothing to my monitor. The light is orange (no signal), and refuses to wake up. Can anyone help? This is my first Intel rig, so maybe I'm missing something specific?

 

[mechBgon]

Is the power supply a decent-quality one in the 300W+ area? I'm not familiar with that board, but if it has an ATX12V fitting, you got your ATX12V cable plugged into it, right?

 

[blodhi74]

it does have a ATX12V fitting

 

[HermDogg]

Si, si, peak load 430W, both ATX cables plugged in.

 

[mechBgon]

If you have another computer with compatible hardware, maybe try different RAM and video to see whether that changes anything. I bet the motherboard is just a junker, though.

 

[HermDogg]

Ugh, okay, so I'm not even POSTing. No beeps, nada. However, when the power is on, the Function Key Light (M$ multimedia keyboard) can turn on/off, thus signifying to me the power is reaching the mobo. Am i wrong in thinking this? Thanks for the advice Mech, but would it not POST without RAM? ANyone else have any ideas?

 

[mechBgon]

They can't POST without RAM, nope.