Computer won't start

AngryGnomeX

Junior Member
Aug 8, 2002
2
0
0
I'm building my own system. MSI KT3 Ultra-ARU, XP 1800+, 365 volt Enermax.. etc. Let me know if you need more information.

The problem is.. when I hook everything up and push power, nothing happens. Well not exactly nothing. The first time I push power after plugging in the power supply and the Mobo (to the power supply), the system and CPU fan (Volcano 7) move ever so slightly. Pushing the power button after that does nothing (unless I reconnect the PS and mobo).

I hooked the power supply into an old mobo of mine that's in my other comp. I just ran the cable across and hooked it in. When I pushed power (on my old comp), the system started up -- the power supply and Volcano 7 fans started whirring and kept spinning. So it seems my power supply and CPU fan works..

When I hook up the power switch from my new case to my old comp, pushing power on my new case starts up my old comp. So it seems my switch is physically ok.

However when I hook my old case power switch into my new mobo, pushing power on my old case does nothing (my new system doesn't power up).

The only thing I can think of is maybe my motherboard is fried. But before I go and replace that.. is there anything else I can try?

Please help.. I need to get this working before I go to college.
 

tk149

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2002
7,253
1
0
Did you double check to see that the power cable from case to MSI motherboard is hooked up correctly (pin 1 to pin1)?

Check your motherboard manual and see if you can bypass the automatic-power-off-feature-when-your-CPU-fan-isn't-working. I know you checked your fan with your other motherboard, but maybe it's not reporting the correct rpms to the MSI motherboard.

Otherwise, it sounds like a bad motherboard to me. Good luck!
 

AngryGnomeX

Junior Member
Aug 8, 2002
2
0
0
Power is hooked up to mobo in the only way it fits... and I can't find anything about an auto-power-off feature on my mobo in the manual. Some other guy also suggested that my chassis may be been grounding it.. but I took it out and put it on a towel and tried booting it from there and it didn't work (with only memory, fan, cpu, and power connections in the mobo).... any other ideas before I call up MSI and ask for a new board?
 

SilverJ

Junior Member
Feb 14, 2001
15
0
0
I'm having the same problems as you, with a different setup.

Soyo Dragon Plus! SY-K7V (brand new, even replaced the other day with another to make sure it wasn't the board. jumper is set correctly)
XP 1800+
512 chip of 2100 ddr ram
Volcano 7 cu

Verified power supply working on another system. Tested power switches and power cable on other system as well. Motherboard power connector is plugged correctly as well. Getting exact same response as you, AngryGnomeX, fans rotate once and all stops. Lastly, the fan has been tested on another system...I've tried using 2 diff. fans on the system having these troubles.

Any help/suggestions greatly appreciated.
 

SilverJ

Junior Member
Feb 14, 2001
15
0
0
Motherboard has been replaced, didn't resolve the issue.

I read elsewhere about the XP 1800 requiring 45A from the power supply, just upgraded to fill the need and am still getting the same results. :(

Any other suggestions?
 

SilverJ

Junior Member
Feb 14, 2001
15
0
0
ok. so it seems i had a grounding problem coming from one of the screws supporting the mobo....wasn't properly done w/ the washer rings.

so now i power up just fine, no display and the computer doesn't seem to be posting (floppy doesn't activate, no beeps/hd activity). also, booting up w/ the ram removed does not get the system beeping indicating an error w/ the ram.

question: could the ground issue that is now taken care of possibly damaged the mobo/cpu/ram? i have no way of testing the ram as it's my only system using ddr, and the only mobo i have that can handle an xp 1800.