First Time Builder - Can't turn on computer

[Daq32]

Hi,

Last night I completed building my first computer... I think.

Here are a few specs which may help illustrate the problem:

Case - Cooler Master HAF XM
PSU - Cooler Master Silent Pro 850W
MOBO - ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
CPU - Intel Core i5 3570K
GPU - Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 OC
SSD - Intel 520 180GB
RAM - G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB DDR3 1600
Cooler - Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO

So, late last night when I thought I had completed my build, I plugged everything up, switch on the PSU and went to press the power button on the case and rather anti-climatically, nothing happened. Due to it being around 12:30 am and the fact that I had to be up this morning at 4:30, I didn't have anytime to troubleshoot the problem, but I can tell you that I did a test boot before installing everything into my case and everything appeared to work.

Since the test boot, I did reorientate the CPU cooler to exaust through the back of the case rather than the top because it was blocking one of my DIMM slots. I also had to remove the whole motherboard and GPU once after initially placing it to install the Wi-Fi module that I overlooked the first time around. I dont think I damaged anything in the process as I was being pretty careful, but I suppose it could be a possibility?

Wiring up the whole thing was the biggest issue for me, especially when it came to power cables. Being that I'm a novice computer builder here, I may be completely wrong about this, but I suspect I may have removed an adapter from one of the cable chains running from the top of the case that is crucial to powering on the system. If I remember correctly, out of the box the case had a preconnected cable running from the front-top portion of the case, behind the HDD cage, to the top corner of the 200mm front mounted fan, where it appeared to connect with a cable controling that fan. From there, a cable branched off that was terminated with a connector that I think looks and functions just like the fan connectors from the cooler and the other fans installed on the case that connect directly to the motherboard. It was then connected to what I think was a bifurcated adapter of some sort, with both ends terminated with a plug that looks like it would be some sort of power cable (linear with 4 prongs I believe).

What think I did was removed this adapter and then I directly hooked the fan plug into the motherboard, as I figured that would bypass the need for a power cable plugged directly in the PSU and my understanding is that the fans from the case all should be plugged directly into the MOBO to take advantage of the fan control feature on the MOBO. Maybe it wasn't a fan plug after all?

One more thing to note: when I switched on the PSU, a green LED located in the lower right quadrant of the MOBO did light up. Don't know what that means, but I assume that it's good... right?

Anyhow, I have a lot of questions, but first I just want to get this thing up and running. If I can't get this problem solved before I leave work, I'll take some pictures when I get home and post them so that maybe someone on these boards with a little more knowledge can better understand my problem.

Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[boochi]

Unplug all cables but the 8 & 24 pin power connectors to the motherboard and the cpu fan. Use a small flat head screwdriver or something similar to jump just the two pins for the front case power button. You just have to touch the two pins for a split second for the power to come on. If the cpu fan spins up, power it off and plug in the power button connector and try again. If that works, then start reconnecting other components. I have seen the wires running to the backside of the power button come loose and need to be reattached.

 

[Daq32]

Thanks for the response. I powered on the motherboard and GPU successfully by touching those pins when I tested them outside the case, but I'll try that when I get home and see if anything has changed.

So the 3-pin fan connector that I removed the bifurcated power-looking cable adapter from and connected to the mobo is probably ok?

I figure it's got to be hard to screw up the front panel power cable being that its labeled. By the way, I connected all the labeled front panel cables to the Q-connector and placed it on the mobo. That should take care of the front panel power button, right?

 

[JamesV]

So you got everything connected, tried to power it up, and all you got was a green light on your motherboard? Any beeps or red lights on your motherboard? Any fans spin up?

Personally, I'd just take it all apart, and reassemble it. Leave the CPU and fan connected, but remove the memory, GPU, and all other cables, and then put it back together and try again... it could simply be a loose cable or connection (assuming you have all cables needed connected).

If that doesn't work, and you don't get any response (like a beep or red light) showing you where to look for problems, then I'd probably try switching the memory sticks around, and testing the parts in another PC if possible.

Have you scoured the forums for your motherboard? That is a good place to look; maybe other people having similar problems, and maybe a solution.

 

[Daq32]

Tried Boochi's suggestion but it didn't work. Just unplugged everything and now I'm going to try this from scratch again...

 

[denis280]

Corsair and patriot are DDR3 1600 Qualified Vendors List. http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z77V_PRO/#MSL

 

[Daq32]

Got it up and running! Don't know what I was doing wrong before, but I just unplugged everything and replugged. All good now! Thanks for your help.