First Time Computer Building Woes

Wanksta

Junior Member
Mar 22, 2003
10
0
0
Im trying to build my first computer, I bought all the parts, but when I go to boot up I get no video signal, everything fires up, all fans, and hard drives spin up, but i get no video signal or beeps, no POST. Ive Swapped out numerous video cards and rams, and im positive those work because i pulled them out of working a machines. THe Motherboard is the ECS K7S5A Pro, so i go online and find out everyone else is having the same problem, i basically give up, and buy a new MOBO, a Biostar K7T Turbo, I install everything and i get the same deal, all fans and drives come up but no video or POST, i swap out different parts again. Well Ive swapped out everything except the CPU (1800+XP), i dont have another one that i can try, but im sure its almost the CPU because that is the only thing i havent swapped out. I dont think its a PS issue, the PS is an Antec 400W PS. Ive cleared the CMOS, and almost anything else i can think of. Anyone have any ideas? Or know that it is the CPU?

Thanks In Advance, Here are the full system Specs.

Antec (Alienware look-a-like Case) w/ 400W PS
Biostar K7T Turbo
Athlon 1800XP
256 PC133 SDR Ram
Maxtor 60GB 7200 RPM
Phillips 8x CD-RW
ATI Radeon 7200LE
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
0
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Boilerplate-01:
. Most frequent causes of failure to boot:
1- RAM, CPU or AGP video card not seated properly, or a bent pin.
2- Drive data cable on upside down or only on half the pins or shifted . a pin or two (usu Floppy or Zip drives).
3- CMOS needs to be cleared (AC power must usually be disconnected or . attempt to clear CMOS may fail) Unless your mobo does not use a power-off CMOS clear - check your mobo manual for specific info.
.bh.
4- On many new mobos there is a CPU protection feature (esp. on Athlon/Socket A mobos) that will not allow the system to start if there is no fan (or a fan without a working speed sensor wire) connected to the fan power connector on the mobo (specifically marked "CPU Fan"). If you tried to start your machine without a fan properly connected, you have to attach a proper and working fan and clear the CMOS before it will boot.
..bh.
:beer: time!

If none of the above solves your problem then perhaps you do have a bad CPU. Do you have a friend you can borrow one from?
 

eklass

Golden Member
Mar 19, 2001
1,218
0
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after having built and rebuilt several of my own systems and innumberable systems for friends, sounds like a dead cpu. here's why:

you swapped things out, including a mobo
the 1 thing you don't swap out is probably going to be the problem
make sure you step through a couple "this is how to build a computer tutorial and these are typical pitfalls"
if you still get nowhere, most likely it's going to be that bad component (somethign critical like ram or cpu)