DoA PSU, Mobo or both?

DavidoFoo

Senior member
Nov 28, 2004
304
0
0
Hi all, I've been having trouble getting my newly built computer to start up.

specs:
Asus Z87-A
i5-4670k
crucial ballistix tactical 8 x 2 GB
Rosewill Capstone 750W
Radeon 5850
Samsung 840 PRO 256 GB
Noctua NH-D14

The computer won't even post, but the HSF which is connected to the mobo turn on. To be clear, I've tried booting up with both integrated and my 5850.

I used my old components to trouble shoot but I'm still not sure what's wrong
ASUS P5Q-E
Q6600
Corsair 520HX
Radeon 5850

I tried using the new PSU with the old components and still no post (no beeps). I then tried to use the old PSU with the new components and still no post (no beeps). I assembled my old components together again and it booted up fine. This leads me to believe that both the PSU and mobo are DoA; however, the chances of that must be EXTREMELY slim so I'm assuming there is some user error here. I'm going to try the paper clip test on my new PSU later today but any suggestions other than that?
 

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
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www.mfenn.com
Are you connecting all the power connectors: ATX, ATX12V, PCIe (if using the GPU)?
Have you tried hooking a monitor to the display output (many new computers don't have a PC speaker at all)?
Have you tried testing with everything out of the case?
 

DavidoFoo

Senior member
Nov 28, 2004
304
0
0
1) Yea, made sure all the power connectors are in and in all the way.
2) Not sure what you mean? Yea I have a monitor hooked up through DVI.
3) No, not yet. I'm guessing that's to rule out a short? But how does that explain the old mobo and old psu working still :(
 

greenhawk

Platinum Member
Feb 23, 2011
2,007
1
71
cpu fan connected to the cpu fan header? This computer had issues until I did, even if the connector was in a crappy location.

if reusing the case, did you remove any motherboard stands which the new board is not using as they can cause shorts.
 

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
5
71
www.mfenn.com
1) Yea, made sure all the power connectors are in and in all the way.

To make doubly sure, enumerate "all". I've had plenty of instances on forums where somebody has said, "it's all hooked up" but were missing a piece. Tragedy of text communication.

2) Not sure what you mean? Yea I have a monitor hooked up through DVI.

You were referring to no POST as no beeps, so I thought that maybe you were only listening for beeps as the only indication of a successful POST.


3) No, not yet. I'm guessing that's to rule out a short? But how does that explain the old mobo and old psu working still :(

It wasn't clear from your post whether or not you're using two different cases or just one. Anyway, it's for two reasons. Yes, it's to rule out a short. But it's also to force you to tear everything down and reexamine it.
 

piasabird

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
17,168
60
91
Read the Motherboard Manual.

Test it outside of the case with no video card and no drives and listen for the bios beep codes to see if it works. Use integrated video from the CPU to test it if you can. Sometimes a motherboard will not work at first but if you reset the BIOS it will work fine. I have seen this with prior Asus motherboards. Add one drive/video card at a time till you figure out what works or fails to work.

Sometime a motherboard will not like certain RAM modules. For instance if the motherboard is rated at 1.5 v DDR3 and you use 1.65v DDR3 it could fail to work. Also you can try just one ddr3 RAM dimm and see if it will boot.

Sometimes if a HARD drive does not work it will just do nothing.

Video card could be bad or may have a driver issue and display just black color and trick you into thinking it is bad.

Good Luck.
 
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