Building a system from scratch

imported_Badger

Junior Member
Mar 23, 2006
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Ok, so I'm building a computer myself with the following parts:
AMD X2 4400+
ASUS A8R32-MVP Deluxe
Sapphire x1900XT-X
Seasonic S12 600W
Seagate SATA 120GB HDD
P180 Case

I've completely set it up now (or so I think) but the power button does nothing. The motherboard LED comes on, as does the front pannel LED to show there is power. But the computer just doesn't turn on. I've checked everything and it seems to be ok, and now I'm out of ideas. Can anyone help?
 

dfuze

Lifer
Feb 15, 2006
11,953
0
71
Maybe the connecter from the case to the mobo is backward for the power switch?

Have you inserted the Ram in the correct slots?

 

imported_Badger

Junior Member
Mar 23, 2006
4
0
0
Thanks for the reply.

I've checked the power switch connector and it's the right way round according the the manual. I might try turning it around to see if it does anything. I've put 4 RAM sticks in there - two 512MB from crucial, and two sticks of random 256MB. I just tried taking out the random RAM, leaving the 1gb of crucial and there's no change.

Any more suggestions will be appreciated!
 

BadThad

Lifer
Feb 22, 2000
12,100
49
91
The correct terminology is "won't POST" (PreOperational Self Test).

1) Make 100% you have the CPU cooling fan plugged into the correct header on the mobo. Many mobo's won't post without something connected to the CPU FAN header.

2) Make 100% you don't have a stand-off grounding out the back of the mobo. Sometimes people put in an extra stand-off or two and they touch the circut paths on the back of the mobo.
 

BadThad

Lifer
Feb 22, 2000
12,100
49
91
Originally posted by: Badger
Thanks for the reply.

I've checked the power switch connector and it's the right way round according the the manual. I might try turning it around to see if it does anything. I've put 4 RAM sticks in there - two 512MB from crucial, and two sticks of random 256MB. I just tried taking out the random RAM, leaving the 1gb of crucial and there's no change.

Any more suggestions will be appreciated!

The direction of the power switch does not matter! It's simply a momentary contact switch!

Try with just a single 512MB module in there first.
 

imported_Badger

Junior Member
Mar 23, 2006
4
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Originally posted by: BadThad
The direction of the power switch does not matter! It's simply a momentary contact switch!

Try with just a single 512MB module in there first.

Just tried with 512MB and there's no change.

Edit: Just switched it out with the other 512MB module to make sure I wasn't using a bad one and no change.
 

KB

Diamond Member
Nov 8, 1999
5,406
389
126
Try reseating your processor. Make sure no pins are bent.

I have heard you can use a piece of metal to momentarily connect the two pins for the power switch. Just in case the switch is busted.
 

BadThad

Lifer
Feb 22, 2000
12,100
49
91
Did you check the other items I posted above?

Reseating the CPU is always a good idea....I know it sucks for thermal pad users, but sometimes "you just gotta do what you gotta do".

Also, clear the CMOS with the mobo jumper for at least 30 seconds.

If all this fails, take the mobo out, put it on a piece of cardboard and just add CPU, RAM, power supply, and video card...nothing else. Take a screwdriver an just quickly touch the pins for the power switch (yes, you can do that) and see if it posts.
 

imported_Badger

Junior Member
Mar 23, 2006
4
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0
It's working now! I messed around with the power switch cable again (unplugged it, blew, replugged it) and it works!

Thanks for all your replies guys. I was so depressed when I hit that power button the first time and it didn't come on ;) But you guys were here to answer my questions. *cue hallmark moment*

Thanks again :)