First custom computer - Got a problem

[AngryAgent]

Ok, I have all the parts all connected with each other as said by the instruction manuels and online guides I've found.

My problem though is that nothing will turn on when I press the case power switch.

However all the fans, lights, and beeps go off when i connect the PSU 20 pin connector to the motherboard and they won't go off until I turn the PSU off.

The parts im using:
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Socket AM2 BOX CPU - Windsor
Memory: US Modular 1024MB PC4200 DDR2 533MHz (I bought 2 of these)
PSU: Ultra 500W X-Finity Power Supply 120mm Fan / Black/ SLI/ SARA-Ready
D Drive: NEC ND-3550 Black 16x DVD Burner in Retail Box
HD: Seagate 320GB Serial ATA HD 7200/16MB/SATA-3G
MOBO: Gigabyte M55SLI-S4 Socket AM2 Motherboard
Case: Cooler Master Centurion 534 Blk Case
Video Card: XFX GeForce 7600 GS / 256MB GDDR2 / SLI / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card (Bought 2)

I tried connecting everything outside of the case and all the parts seem just fine.
I fear having to make RMA's

btw, Do I need a floppy Drive? I didn't think I needed one since they are gradually becoming obsolete.

Any ideas?

 

[Harvey]

It sounds like you may have the wrong wires connected between the case and the motherboard, or the power switch is not working.

The "Power" switch in an ATX system is simply a momentary contact switch that grounds the turn on circuit. If you connected a pair of wires that go to a case LED, or your switch is broken, your system wouldn't start.

Try disconnecting the wire pair to the motherboard start connection and use a metal object, such as a screwdriver to short across the two pins. If that works, you'll have your answer.

Good luck.

 

[AngryAgent]

I tried shorting the pins. PC is still a dud.

 

[wanderer27]

There's a 4pin connector by the CPU, do have that plugged in?

You may also need to plug a 6pin connector into your Video Card (not sure on your model).

 

[wanderer27]

I just re-read your initial post.

Make sure you have the correct connector on you MB for the Power Switch. It almost sounds like you may have the HD LED or Power LED connector on the Power Switch pins - this would basically short the Switch and probably turn your System on.

If the 4pin is not connected, that might also add to some of the startup issues (completing).

 

[AngryAgent]

The Power SW wires are connected correctly. The 4 pin plug by the CPU is being used the CPU's fan
Only thing on my video cards are 2 pins but I have no idea what they are used for. I'll look up on that.

 

[wanderer27]

Umm, here. Look at this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage...ce4+SLI+ATX+AMD+Motherboard+%2D+Retail

The 4pin connector I'm referring to is a square 4pin Molex type connector - it's on the right side by the CPU and is labeled in this pic.

Is this the one you're using for the fan?

 

[AngryAgent]

Oh no lol
I thought you were mentioning another part. ^^

The 4 square pin (the molex connector) is connected to the PSU.

 

[wanderer27]

Check that the Reset Switch is hooked up correctly also, it could do the same thing if HD LED or Power LED's were on it.

Some things to try.

What happens if you take off all the pin connectors (Power, Reset, LED's, etc.) and plug in your ATX power connector to the MB?

If nothing odd happens, try it again with just the Power Switch connector hooked up.

Let's see what happens.

 

[AngryAgent]

I removed all the pins (Power SW, Reset SW) and turned on the PSU with the MB attached.
All the fans are spinning fine (CPU, CASE, PSU Fan)
and the Ethernet cable light is flashing (there is no wire for that, it just does it on its own when the thing is on)

With the Powe SW and Reset SW connect, everything still spins and blinks on its own. Only way to shut it off or on is to toggle the PSU switch
(basically my original problem)

Perhaps the Case is faulty ?

 

[wanderer27]

With all the pin connectors removed, the fans all start running?

This is really sounding like a faulty PSU connector (mis-wired), or a Motherboard problem.

If you just have the PSU turned on and connected, nothing should be running unless the Power Switch pins are momentarily connected.

The more I think about it, the more it sounds like a MB issue.

There's nothing shorting/hooked across either the Power Switch or Reset Switch pins?

Umm, you said you tried everything out of the Case and everything seemed fine? Were the fans running outside the Case with just the PSU connected?

You do have the standoffs for the MB installed don't you? Basically these raise the MB 1/4" off the bottom of the Case so that all the connections on the bottom of the MB don't short on the bottom of the Case>

 

[Soggysocks]

You say your board automatically powers on ....do you get any kind of post on your monitor. You may have a bios setting problem ....but I think its your case to motherboard connections. Make sure you don't have a polarity problem with some of the connectors. And make sure your Bios reset jumper is set on the correct pins for normal operation.

 

[btcomm1]

You said you connect the 20 pin connector to the mobo? I thought that most new mobos have a 24 pin connector on the motherboard, maybe it's designed to work even if you have a 20 pin but when you plug in the 20 pin connector are there left over pins on the main connector? If that is the case you may need to get a 20 pin to 24 pin adapter. Also like wanderer27 said make sure the extra 4 pin power connector and the power connector for your video card are plugged in.

 

[AngryAgent]

Sorry for the delay. Had to write a paper for psy class ^^

anyway...
I should have said this before..I don't get anything on the monitor when the pc is on. Its just a black screen
Yes, I did put in the spacers in between the case and motherboard before I plugged in the PSU
I just noticed that my motherboard does have a 24 pin connector. 4 of the pins were covered with a plastic case. I removed the case and plugged the 24 pin connector in the pin but it didn't make a difference in the problem.
The power cord for the video card is plugged in. Still no change.

I really do think that perhaps my motherboard is faulty. I'm gonna call tigerdirect for an RMA number.
All the other parts seem fine.
The PSU provides power, the case LED lights flash, the processor pins arent bent.

I hear ASUS makes good quality Mobo.

Oh well. It is my first time at this anyway. Thanks for your guys help

 

[Seeruk]

I am sure everyone has had a similar "hooked everything up and nothing happens awwww feck whats wrong moment" so dont worry Its usually something simple!

Unplug all power and case cables and then follow this Checklist.

1. Connect the power and reset case cables to the correct pins on the mobo. (ignore the others like HDD for now

2. Plug the 24 pin main power cable to the motherboard

3. Connect the 4 pin 12volt power cable to the 4 pin connector on mobo.

4. Connect CPU fan

5. Connect GFX card power

Dont connect power to any hard drives or other peripherals, connect only the monitor and keyboard to the PC and see if you can get a POST screen

 

[wwswimming]

when i got an Asus p4c800 motherboard, the silkscreen on the board and the instruction manual
said 2 different things about the power switch hook-up.

new technique - i just use a screwdriver and short out pins on the 10 pin block that has the
on off switch. using trial & error to find the on off switch pins. hook them up, forget about
everything else. it works.

 

[AngryAgent]

I plugged in the power cords into the mobo and tried shorting all the pins with a screwdriver.
I tried it for 10 min but nothing happened.

Well I sent my gigabyte Motherboard back to tigerdirect. I should get credit back soon.
I have heard that quite a numerous amount of MOBO's do happen to ship defective to customers.
Makes me feel alot better that I didn't do anything stupid I hope ^^

If it is the PSU at fault, I at least have a good warranty on it. I can easily get that replaced.

I'll buy the mobo from a retail store next time. I really hate waiting for UPS and the mailman

Anyway, thanks for your guy's help. I appreciate it