Computer won't power up.

[PepperBreath]

Basically I've been having trouble with my computer. Occasionally it would power up but would not POST. Other times, it wouldn't power up at all.

I assumed it was the motherboard and replaced it. It was an MSI motherboard with Via chipset for a socket 754 Athlon 3000+. The replacement was an nForce 3 motherboard.

The replacement also does not power up although when I flip the PSU switch in the back, I can see the LED on the Ethernet port light up so I know it's getting power. However, it wouldn't even power up. I also tried two different PSUs. One a rather expensive Antec, the other a Thermaltake. Neither worked.

I should also note that I pulled the power switch from the pin out and tried to short it with a screwdriver thinking it might be the case switch itself. No dice. It didn't work.

Any ideas? As of right now, I think I may just return the motherboard and try to sell off the remaining parts if it's going to cost too much to repair.

 

[dfuze]

If you have multiple sticks of ram, have you tried removing one at a time? Although the symptoms could be a few things, top of my list would be ram since you already tried motherboards and power supplies.

 

[Steve]

Have you tried replacing the CMOS battery? Also check that the CMOS jumper is not set to "Clear".

 

[btcomm1]

Also, try the motherboard outside of the case, perhaps the motherboard is touching the case and is being shorted. Try the motherboard ouside of the case on a non conductive surface like cardboard, that is if one stick of ram doesn't fix it or the cmos jumper.

 

[PepperBreath]

I tried the CMOS thing. No go.

I'll try swapping the memory sticks although I kind of doubt it's that. Wouldn't a motherboard make an audible beep code if the memory was corrupt? I'll also try the motherboard outside the case.

Remember though guys, this is two different motherboards and two different PSUs. I'm kind of getting frustrated right now and if I can't get it to work, I'm just going to return the new motherboard and sell my 6800 GT on eBay or something.

 

[PepperBreath]

Alright. Pulled the motherboard out of the case and set it on an antistatic bag. Nothing plugged in except for the CPU and the heatsink. I connected the PSU and shorted the Power Switch pins and still nothing.

This is the new motherboard btw. Does this mean the CPU is dead? Would a motherboard show any kind of signs of power if the CPU was dead?

 

[Severian]

yes, the mainboard can still light up if the cpu is dead. I think the only thing you can do now is try the cpu in a different machine, or try a different cpu in your mainboard to see where the problem lies.

good luck