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Building new PC - No power to MOBO, Pwr. Supply is OK

Hurricane Andrew

Hurricane Andrew

Golden Member
I'm building a new PC. Specs are:

Soyo full tower ATX case
Chaintech VNF3-250 MOBO
AMD Athlon 64 3000+
Maxtor 160 and Seagate 120 GB HD's

full specs here: http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.aspx?rigid=29338

Anyway, when I plug it in, nothing. Nada. Zilch. The power supply is fine, it works in an older system when I tried it. I took the MOBO out of the case, and tired it, still nothing, so I don't think its shorting on the case (using brass risers).

Is there anyway that I can isolate the cause with limited resources or any ideas anyone might have? Of course a bum MOBO could be the culprit, but what else could cause the problem? Could a bad processor alone cause nothing to happen?

I've double and triple-checked all of the connections, including the front panel connections, and far as I can tell, everything appears correct. The MOBO/Proc were a bundle from Tigerdirect, so my last resort is to RMA the pair, but I'd like to avoid that if it could be something simple on my end.
 
try just getting the mobo cpu and video card if you get post, try one hd, if it still post try the second then optical drives, if for some reason after adding one component it doesnt post it maybe a the power supply.

BTW psu specs?
 
PSU is fine. I verified that it works in another PC. It is a 350W generic that came with the Soyo case. I also have tried just powering up with the MOBO, CPU and Vid Card to no avail. I didn't remove the memory though, so I'll give that a try. Can't imagine I got a bum stick from Crucial though...
 
Originally posted by: Hurricane Andrew
PSU is fine. I verified that it works in another PC. It is a 350W generic that came with the Soyo case. I also have tried just powering up with the MOBO, CPU and Vid Card to no avail. I didn't remove the memory though, so I'll give that a try. Can't imagine I got a bum stick from Crucial though...
Click to expand...

there is your problem
 
that the mobo works i a lower end system doesnt have to mean it works with a system with more power comsumption, and more amps needed in the 12 v rail
 
Good point. The system it works in is my old PIII that normally runs on a 200W PS. Would I really get NOTHING though? Not even a faint hum?
 
Already tried that, and same result. Nothing at all. The CPU fan didn't even try to spin. A couple of times I did hear a faint buzz or hum when I REMOVED the power cord from the psu, but that's about it. And only a couple of times. And I literally had my ear inches from the board, just hoping and praying for some signs of life.
 
Bail the generic power supply. Once you get a good one, make sure your ATX12V cable is plugged in, and that your case's Power button is on the pins highlighted in this pic.

If you want a nominee on the new power supply, an Antec SL400 would probably be available in a local store. Enermax has a decent-looking one here, 370W with 27A on its two 12V rails, and not too crazy-expensive at $62 shipped.
 
GOD I'm an idiot! I forgot to skip the pin between the Pwr LED +/- so it threw my PWR connection off as well! I probably will upgrade the power supply though. I'll use the existing to make sure everything else at least works. Thanks a million!!!
 
sweet 😎 By the way, since you're building a new rig, let me throw out my wormBgon suggestions to help get the system off to a safe start.
 
Nice tips! I'm far too aware of most of them (as the ONLY tech person at a small bank, the one where my main job is chief credit officer), but there are certainly some very useful tips and links to be had...
 
Yeah, there are some people who just should not be using computers. My favorite is the password lockout: "I typed in the same password I used yesterday!" "No, if you did, you wouldn't have locked yourself out!!!!"
 
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