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Computer won't turn on at all

L

LoungeAct404

Member
This is driving me insane. I ordered an AMD A64 3000+ Venice Socket 939 from NewEgg and a MSI Neo2 Platinum from AnandTech member Xiode awhile ago, and when I got my CPU and attempted assembling the computer, the CPU would not fit into the Socket 939 due to bent pins. Not wanting to void the warranty or mess with anything, I RMA'd the CPU and FINALLY just got a new one today. I installed it, it popped in the first time with no problems whatsoever. I finish installing every other part in the computer, go to turn it on, and much to my dismay, NOTHING HAPPENED. NOTHING AT FVCKING ALL! NO RED MOUSE LASER UNDER THE MOUSE, NO FANS SPINNING, NO IMAGE ON THE SCREEN, NO LIGHT, NO SOUND, NO NOTHING! N O T H I N G!

I'm really, really pissed off right now and I'm not going to even touch it tonight, but I'll work on it as soon as I get home from school tomorrow. Does anyone know what would cause a computer to not even start up, minus not having the power plugged in (believe me, I checked this multiple times, I'm not a dumbass)?

Thanks a ton for your help,

Greg
 
If I were you, I would back up. Just setup the computer with bare minimum components. Mobo, CPU, Ram, Graphics card and hard drive. See if it posts. If it still doesn't do anything, it might be an issue with your powersupply. If you can swap it out, I would try that.

One crazy thing to look for that happened to me is, check the CMOS clear dip switch on the mobo. I once received a mobo and the pin for the CMOS clear switch was completely missing and my system would do nothing. I put a spare one on the pins and my system finally booted up. Might be worth taking a look at.
 
Thanks for the advice man, I really do appreciate it. I'll look into that tomorrow.

Also, something I didn't really mention that I should have:

If the Power Switch and Reset Switch crap isn't plugged into the pins on the mobo, it's not going to power up at all, correct? Like, what are the bare minimum things you need there for it to power up? I kind of have them plugged in crappily, I did it first one way and then switched it backwards when it didn't work, only to come to the same problem.
 
When bringing a new comp to life, it's best to plug in only the bare minimum: vid card, cooling, dvd, hdd. That's it. Once that's working, add the rest.

When plugging in the mobo power and reset switches, it doesn't matter if polarity is reversed, because it's just a momentary switch. With LED's, you must observe polarity.

Is there a 4 pin plug on the mobo? Some need this to power up.
 
From my experiences, you HAVE to have those connections right. The motherboard won't "know" to turn on if you don't have it connected to the power switch on the case. Check your motherboard manual to see how to properly plug everything in.

 
yeah, I have the 20 pin power connected and the 4 pin connected, still nothing works.

" do you have brass stand offs right under your motherboard? "

You talking about the backplate? If so, yes.

 
Originally posted by: LoungeAct404
yeah, I have the 20 pin power connected and the 4 pin connected, still nothing works.

" do you have brass stand offs right under your motherboard? "

You talking about the backplate? If so, yes.
Click to expand...


No, the brass stand offs are used to make sure the motherboard isn't directly touching the case. Considering most cases are made of metal, and motherboards have lots of metal and electricity on them, you don't want your mobo directly touching the metal on the case. If it is directly touching the case, then you're going to short out and potentially fry your mobo. Take your motherboard out of the case and try it out.

I had a friend who recently had the same problem. I come over to help him and I'm totally stumped. We tried a different PSU and everything. Eventually, a capacitor on his mobo fried, and then I knew something was wrong. I proceeded to take out the motherboard, and I saw that he had just placed the mobo in the case, without using any stand offs, which is why his mobo fried. I guess he thought that box of screws that came with his case was there for looks or something.

EDIT: You may not always have brass stand offs either. Check mechbgon's computer building guide to see the different types of standoffs.
 
I'm pretty sure we're talking about the same thing, in the mobo installation guide they call it the backplate. it looks kind of like this, right?

|{|

|=mobo {=backplate |=case

Greg
 
I haven't used an MSI board in a while but here goes.

Are there any LED's illuminated on the mobo when the PSU is turned on. I once had a problem and it ended up being a fuse on the supply.

I have also found in the past that taking a step back, deep breath and a sip of coffee prior to starting from fresh can really help when building a PC, especially if its with unfamiliar hardware.

Also don't be afraid of the manual, I've built dozens of computers over the years and still find it comforting to follow instructions. I work in a very procedure driven industry which explains this.
 
You're probably right, but you're saying it in a strange way.

yes there's the case then back plate....but on the back plate there are a dozen or so little holes that you put the (usually bras) pins into......then the motherboard gets screwed into the pins....NOT the back plate.

does that make sense ?
case--->backplate--->dozen or so standoff screws--->mobo--->screws holding mobo into standoffs
 
LoungeAct404,

xXGambitXx is referring to these brass mount screws. You need these to lift your motherboard off of the mounting plate so that the board itself is not actually in contact with the case.

If that's all established, check your power connection to your motherboard, make sure you're not plugging in a lot of stuff (just the basics as stated above) and try again.

Also make sure that you have the circut switch on the back of the PSU set to "closed" I know it seems like a stupid thing to suggest, but you'd be amazed how many of us leave it open. It's a switch on the back of the PSU (near the power cable plug) with a O/- on it.

O = Open.
- = Closed.
 
Is this your first build?

Some cases have standoffs (basically risers that keep the motherboard from directly touching the metal of the case) built right into the case, but most need to be added. They are typically brass, and appear as screws that you can screw another screw into the top of. Occasionally there are plastic standoffs as well. If you screwed the motherboard directly onto the case so the PCB (the board itself, basically) directly touches the metal of the case you'll have a short most likely. Can you link us to some pics of your case?

If you're sure the motherboard is installed correctly, with the appropriate standoffs...
First, check and recheck the connections. I'm sure you've already checked this but MAKE SURE THAT THE PSU'S MASTER POWER, IF IT HAS ONE, IS ON. Some PSUs have their own switch, others are just always on.

Try shorting the ATX soft power pins with a screw driver to remove a bad switch from the equation.

You can test if the PSU works by unplugging it from the motherboard (and everything else) and shorting the GREEN lead to any ground (BLACK) and plugging it in/turning it on. The fan should spin. If it doesn't, the PSU is almost certainly dead.

If you're getting no fans or lights, then its probably a bad PSU or screwed up connections. The fan should at least come on on the power supply even if things are really messed up.
 
uh oh :Q !!! i remembered my first build (right under my sig) that I haven't used the brass standoffs...I was lucky that it didn't fried...but i have to RMAed later 😀
 
"You can test if the PSU works by unplugging it from the motherboard (and everything else) and shorting the GREEN lead to any ground (BLACK) and plugging it in/turning it on. The fan should spin. If it doesn't, the PSU is almost certainly dead. "

Green lead to the ground (BLACK)?

Could you clarify?

<- newb :

I called MSI and asked about the protector plate, and they said it was aluminum or something. I'm pretty sure I have it installed, I'm pretty sure I'm looking at it right now...I don't have access to a digital camera at the moment, though.

I'm gonna mess around and see if I can get anything to work. I can't imagine that the PSU would be dead, it was just working a few weeks ago on my other computer, and since then it's just been sitting in my room collecting dust (might this be a problem?). The pin connectors were noticeably dirtier looking when I picked them up to plug them in this time...

I'll keep you all posted.
 
Originally posted by: LoungeAct404
"You can test if the PSU works by unplugging it from the motherboard (and everything else) and shorting the GREEN lead to any ground (BLACK) and plugging it in/turning it on. The fan should spin. If it doesn't, the PSU is almost certainly dead. "

Green lead to the ground (BLACK)?

Could you clarify?

<- newb :

I called MSI and asked about the protector plate, and they said it was aluminum or something. I'm pretty sure I have it installed, I'm pretty sure I'm looking at it right now...I don't have access to a digital camera at the moment, though.

I'm gonna mess around and see if I can get anything to work. I can't imagine that the PSU would be dead, it was just working a few weeks ago on my other computer, and since then it's just been sitting in my room collecting dust (might this be a problem?). The pin connectors were noticeably dirtier looking when I picked them up to plug them in this time...

I'll keep you all posted.
Click to expand...

first off all...try place you motherboard on a big giant phone book. then attach the necessary peripherals to make it boots. If it does boot, then the problem dictates that you have a case installation problem (stand offs)

 
Originally posted by: thescreensavers
ok when you put you motherboard in did you put ur motherboard or a plate directly and screwed it in or did you put stand offs witch is it newbie turms A screew that can have another screw screwed on top or it.
Click to expand...


I bought the mobo used from AnAndTech user Xiode, and he can't remember whether or not he shipped it with the plate installed. I think it was installed; I didn't see anything that came with it that looked like what you're all talking about, so I'm assuming it's already on. If only I could get a picture of it :\
 
Originally posted by: Kaifu
LoungeAct404,

xXGambitXx is referring to these brass mount screws. You need these to lift your motherboard off of the mounting plate so that the board itself is not actually in contact with the case.
Click to expand...

Please Please please look at this picture and let us know if you have the small pins in place. You CANNOT screw the motherboard directly into the protector plate. You HAVE to use the small standoff screws.

** EDIT **
there is no plate attached to the motherboard, the plate is attached to the case
 
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