First time builder

[Geomort]

Iv'e been reading the forums for a few years now and decided to build my own this time.
What a dissapointment!
Bought allmost all from Newegg. Chaintech VNF4 Ultra, Athlon 64 3000 Winchester, Corsair twinx1024-3200c2p2, Gigabyte GV-NX68T356DH, Seagate 250 SATA, NEC 3520, Mitsumi 404, Antec Sonata, 380 watt, dual 16 amp 12v rails. Dell 2405. Does not POST. cleared the CMOS, tried various jumper setting for PS2 and USB keyboard and mouse. The only message I see is that the board is asleep in powersaver mode. So where should I start swaping parts? Motherboard? Processor? PSU? The powersupply seems a little light from what the rest of you like but the small form factors get by around 300 watts.
any advice appreciated.

 

[mechBgon]

The system spins fans and drives when you press the Power button, but no POST, is that correct? First retreat to a bare-bones test setup, equipped with just the absolute essentials needed for a POST display:

• Motherboard, outside of case on a cardboard surface
• CPU/heatsink/fan
• One memory module (consult owners' manual for proper slot for a single module)
• Video card
• No drives on power or data cables
• No keyboard
• No mouse
• No case wiring other than the Power Switch wire

Again, the board should be outside the case laying on cardboard. Make sure all of the power cables are hooked up (main ATX cable plus the 4-pin square ATX12V cable, and the video card's power cable too).

 

[fatty4ksu]

make sure the mobo isn't to tight on cse.

 

[knothead34]

you cant compare full atx with small form factor boards.matx boards require less power because they have less expandability. less slots etc so they can get by with smaller psu's not to mention space is a factor. if i were you i would try getting a better psu.

 

[Geomort]

Thanks for the advice. Pulled the mobo and connected on the insulated bench with minimal configurtion. Reset cmos, pulled battery and reset cmos, tried known good ps2 keyboard and mouse. Moved ram to different slot. NO POST. I'll get another mobo Monday from a local store this time and try again.

 

[Alaska]

before you go too far are you sure the jumpers are set correctly? The first instruction in the manual is to set correct jumper setting for CPU external clock, frequency ratio, and CPU voltage. (actually I'm not sure that is right, it doesn't show any jumpers for setting the processor parameters in the manual)

They have one of the least informative manuals I have ever seen for a board.