Built a new amd 64 system, cannot POST :(

[KeillRandor]

Hello !

I have built 3 computers before so I think I have basic/good knowledge of building computers...
This is the parts of the new system I'm trying to get running:

Aopen AK86-L motherboard
AMD 64 3000+ processor boxed with retail hs/fan
no-name case/power supply with unknown power rating
2 X Kingston 256 MB PC3200 CAS 2
Powercolor radeon 9600 pro card


In addition I have 160 mb Seagate 7.2... And a DVD-RW drive but I have not installed them yet (at the moment I'm just trying to get anything to show up on the monitor)

I can't get the computer to post and get my ordinary CRT-monitor to show anything.
The CPU-fan works properly, except once when it did not start. So I'm suspecting the power supply to be weak.
I switched to another power supply which was indeed rated as 250W but it didn't help.
(I'm suspecting the current no-name PS is around 250 W, it was previously used in an amd 900 mhz system)

I have a friend with a 350W PS, I will try with that PS unit tomorrow.
I have never experienced this kind of trouble before, but it's my first attempt at building a AMD 64 computer.

I'm pretty sure (99.9%) I have installed the CPU correctly, connected the cpu-fan connector etc.
So either the power supply is too weak or the MB or CPU is damaged... Anyone had a similar experience with an amd 64
system or any other system ?

Should it really be necessary to get a 350+ wattage PS to only get the system running with just a agp-card installed ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[jfunk]

Does the PS have the appropriate power connectors for both spots on the motherboard? I would certainly suspect the PS as well. It's not just the wattage that is important. There are high quality 300W power supplies and terrible 450W power supplies.



j

 

[KeillRandor]

No the PS has only the large atx connector, not the small 4-pin.

 

[UMfanatic]

Most likely it is the power supply at fault; being that it is too weak, especially since it doesnt have the 4-pin connector as well

 

[UMfanatic]

if the cpu was installed wrong you would get beeps I believe, I had the same trouble but in my case it was that the motherboard was bad.

 

[KeillRandor]

Thanx for all the input so far ! I don't know is this is a stupid question, but I guess you are supposed to either
use the small (4pin) 12 V connector OR the larger one ? Not both at the same time !?
I wonder if anything could have been damaged using the weak PSU....hm...

 

[UMfanatic]

its not a dumb question, you should use both and in this day in age most power supplies even no name manufactured ones have both connectors

 

[KeillRandor]

OH ! So that's why I didn't work then.... I have to get a PS with both connectors then !
Maybe I have been away from the computer building stuff too long !

Then a follow up question.... Why does recent motherboards need voltage from TWO connectors ?
Doesn't seem logical at all...

Oh well, thanx again for the info !

 

[jfunk]

The second power connector started with the P4's I believe, but most newer AMD boards have it too. AthlonXP boards are mixed on whether they use it or not, but it seems like the higher end ones made for overlcocking and such have it.

I would assume it is just for more stable power regulation or something, but I'd have to look into it to tell you for sure. I'm sure somebody here knows off the top of their head.

j

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Modern AMD and Intel desktop CPUs draw power off the 12v line now as oppossed to say the PII-PIII which used the 5v.