• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Blank screen on power up

C

citomas

Junior Member
I've just spent some bucks and bought parts to put together a new computer for myself. Motherboard is a ASUS A8N SLI PREMIUM, cpu is an AMD OPTERON 175, power is a THERMALTAKE 500 watt, graphics are dual e-GeForce 7800 GT. I've put it all together and on power up, nothing. I get a green LED on front panel of the box (ANTEC P180), and a green LED on the motherboard. The fans start up but there's no POST, no beeps, no hard drive activity, nothing.

Have I overlooked something, or is there a major problem with the mb or cpu or what? I've double checked all the connections I've made, seems correct. I switched out power supply with an older working one with same results.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Chris
 
make sure you have everything plugged in.

i had the same problem with my first build pc. it was my power supply . the 5v rail blew.

check if everything is plugged in.
 
Yup, the power supply has a modular cable type of setup which is fairly foolproof. Most connections can only go one way. All power connections are made, including PCI Express connector for the vid cards. 24 Pin main connector and ATX are both in correctly.

Thanks for the thoughts thou.
 
🙁 No one's got any ideas? Do you think the motherboard is bad? I suppose I could try to get an RMA and replace it to really find out. The opteron is compatable with almost any s939 board isn't it? I don't think it's a bad cpu, but how do I really know?
 
If you are running SLI for the first time, you might try disabling that and only putting in the one card. I think I've read some threads where people have trouble with booting when trying to do SLI. I think the fix involved updating the video cards bios, or perhaps the system bios. I'll see if I can find the thread I'm thinking of.

Edit: So you're not even getting a beep code when it boots? Do you see hard drive activity like it is booting up and there is just no display?
 
Also ditto what Athens 101 said. Make sure you've got the video cards plugged into the 5v rail on the power supply. I forgot that the new cards have their own 3 pin plug when I got my Geforce 6600GT and spent a few gut wrenching moments of non booting because I didn't have it plugged in.
 
No beeps, no hard drive activity. The keyboard doesn't even flash, no mouse power. I did strip the system down, took out all extra cards, hard drives, sound card, and the 2nd vid card, booting just the basics. No difference. Put this way, it might seem like its a power source issue, but I did swap out the power supply as well with no difference in results.
 
Originally posted by: citomas
No beeps, no hard drive activity. The keyboard doesn't even flash, no mouse power. I did strip the system down, took out all extra cards, hard drives, sound card, and the 2nd vid card, booting just the basics. No difference. Put this way, it might seem like its a power source issue, but I did swap out the power supply as well with no difference in results.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, so it's not even posting. I think you should try reseating that cpu and memory. Make sure they are in snug. Try your old video card if you still have it, or one that you know is good. And try with just those basics. No cdrom drive, no hard drive, or any expansion cards. Just to see if it will post. Also clear the cmos with the jumper. Iknow this is basic, but first thing you gotta do is get that puppy to post.
 
OK, I've again taken out everything not essential to boot up. I'm running 1 graphics card, 1 hard drive and that's it. I have to use the PCI Express card because the only other cards I've got are AGP. There is a 6 pin power cable from my power source which I attach to the card. I took out the second GB of ram, running only the single DIMM now, inserted into the B1 slot as the motherboard manual states. I took apart the CPU, checking for correct placement (yes) and proper seating of fan assembly (yes, complete and uniform coverage of thermal compound).

Booting now, still same thing. A green light on motherboard (standby power on). Upon turning on power, front panel hd led lights up, light on memory module lights up briefly, fans start up, and thats it, screen blank. No cursor, nothing. No system beeps, no POST, no evidence hard drives are running. It just stays as outlined, indefinitely.

(sic)
 
ps: did do CMOS clearing with pulling the battery and setting the jumper. Also, did remember to return jumper to original position afterwards (lol).
 
Ok, sounds like power supply or motherboard issues to me then. Any chance you have a spare power supply to try? If the power supply checks out, then it sounds like a bad mother board. At the very least, you should get beep codes with a good power supply and a cpu. You can always check the five volt rail with a volt meter if you've got one, just to make sure it's good. But if it's a known good power supply, then your board seems to be the issue.
 
Thanks for your help AMCRambler. I think it's mother board as well. I'll try and get an RMA from Newegg and see what happens.

Thanks again.
Chris
 
Originally posted by: citomas
OK, I've again taken out everything not essential to boot up. I'm running 1 graphics card, 1 hard drive and that's it. I have to use the PCI Express card because the only other cards I've got are AGP. There is a 6 pin power cable from my power source which I attach to the card. I took out the second GB of ram, running only the single DIMM now, inserted into the B1 slot as the motherboard manual states. I took apart the CPU, checking for correct placement (yes) and proper seating of fan assembly (yes, complete and uniform coverage of thermal compound).

Booting now, still same thing. A green light on motherboard (standby power on). Upon turning on power, front panel hd led lights up, light on memory module lights up briefly, fans start up, and thats it, screen blank. No cursor, nothing. No system beeps, no POST, no evidence hard drives are running. It just stays as outlined, indefinitely.

(sic)
Click to expand...

Hvae you tried running outside your case? One thing you said was interesting "light on memory module lights up briefly, "
 
Originally posted by: Heligrin
Originally posted by: citomas
OK, I've again taken out everything not essential to boot up. I'm running 1 graphics card, 1 hard drive and that's it. I have to use the PCI Express card because the only other cards I've got are AGP. There is a 6 pin power cable from my power source which I attach to the card. I took out the second GB of ram, running only the single DIMM now, inserted into the B1 slot as the motherboard manual states. I took apart the CPU, checking for correct placement (yes) and proper seating of fan assembly (yes, complete and uniform coverage of thermal compound).

Booting now, still same thing. A green light on motherboard (standby power on). Upon turning on power, front panel hd led lights up, light on memory module lights up briefly, fans start up, and thats it, screen blank. No cursor, nothing. No system beeps, no POST, no evidence hard drives are running. It just stays as outlined, indefinitely.

(sic)
Click to expand...

Have you tried running outside your case? One thing you said was interesting "light on memory module lights up briefly, ". Sounds to me like it is grounding out. If the memory sticks light up they are getting power, and if they stay lite with no activity, that means your system isnt booting, however in your case, your whole power to the modules just shuts off, sounding like it is grounding.
Click to expand...
 
I'm not sure I understand you correctly. You mean take out the mother board from the case and power up on the table top? Need to leave reset and power on switches attached, yes?
 
Originally posted by: citomas
I'm not sure I understand you correctly. You mean take out the mother board from the case and power up on the table top? Need to leave reset and power on switches attached, yes?
Click to expand...

Yes, that's what heligrin is suggesting. If the cables for the switches aren't long enough though, you don't need to leave them connected, just use a small screw driver to short the two pins for the power switch to turn it on and off. I'm building a carputer at the moment and since I don't have a case, I jsut have it sitting on a piece of cardboard on my floor with a spare power supply plugged in. I use a screw driver to short the pins for the power switch header when I want to turn it on and then just unplug the power supply to turn it off. If it's a grounding issue, running it outside the chassis on something nonconductive like a news paper, or a piece of cardboard will elminate that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top