Help!!! First time builder in trouble!

[twista80]

I'm building my first system and finally got everything put together. When the moment of truth comes I power on the PC and the fans run but nothing shows up on the screen except regular sleep mode text and to press a key on the keyboard to start.

The keyboard's plugged in, but there are no lights on the keyboard. All the fans are running including the CPU fan which is plugged in to the motherboard. The ethernet light is not on the motherboard either. I'm not sure what I could of done wrong.

Like I said, i'm a first time builder and got all my info online and from books so some practical insight would be very helpful. Here's my system config if this would help.

Intel Dual Core E4300
Gigabyte GA965-DS3 Rev.3.3
Transcend 2 GB DDR2 memory
Gigabyte 8500 GT graphics card PCI Express card
Ultra 600 W PSU
Pioneer dvd writer
Seagate 320 GB hard disk 7200rpm
Cooler Master Centurian 5 case

Any help to revive my PC would GREATLY be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[mechBgon]

To begin with, confirm that your ATX12V cable is plugged in, since it powers the CPU. The motherboard's receptacle for the ATX12V cable is near the upper edge of the board towards the rear. The ATX12V cable has two yellow[/b] wires, two black wires, and looks like this :camera:.

Note that the ATX12V cable is NOT the same as the 4-pin chunk of a 20+4 ATX2.0 cable, they've got different voltages. So don't get those mixed up

 

[effee]

Yes, I think your problem would lie there as well.

But before you do that, please make sure your PSU's voltage is set correctly, there's a switch at the back. And also like the above poster said, dont connect the 20+4 to the top left recepticle. I did it once, was not a very pleasant thing to see sparks coming out of my PSU.

 

[linkmaster6]

your PSu cable to your motherboard will be keyed and beveled so that you can only plug it in one way (tooth on to the notch). Also If it still doesn't work, try troubleshooting it starting with a just the minimum parts requaired to start a computer so you can see its functioning (i.e. mobo, RAM Power supply), and work your way up from there.

 

[twista80]

I found the port for the 4-pin ATX connector on my motherboard but my PSU doesn't seem to have that connector. I did in fact plug in the 20 pin ATX connector. The only sign of my motherboard working though, is the CPU fan which is plugged into the motherboard. I'm just trying to determine whether i've somehow fryed my motherboard(knock on wood) . If the fan CPU fan works would that mean there's some chance that there's still hope? My next line of defense would probably be to start off troubleshooting with the minimum required parts as per linkmaster's advice.

i'm still kind of unusure on why the monitor doesn't seem to be showing any output from the computer, shouldn't at least the BIOS come up if the motherboard was working?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: twista80
I found the port for the 4-pin ATX connector on my motherboard but my PSU doesn't seem to have that connector. I did in fact plug in the 20 pin ATX connector. The only sign of my motherboard working though, is the CPU fan which is plugged into the motherboard. I'm just trying to determine whether i've somehow fryed my motherboard(knock on wood) . If the fan CPU fan works would that mean there's some chance that there's still hope? My next line of defense would probably be to start off troubleshooting with the minimum required parts as per linkmaster's advice.

i'm still kind of unusure on why the monitor doesn't seem to be showing any output from the computer, shouldn't at least the BIOS come up if the motherboard was working?

I can't imagine a 600-watt PSU not having an ATX12V connector, not even one made by (ugh) Ultra. But it's a mandatory hookup. No ATX12V, no CPU power. Run out and get an Antec Earthwatts 500W unit locally if you need an acceptable-quality unit today.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Before you mounted the mb did you make absolutely sure that you only placed standoffs in the correct places? Did you turn the switch on the ps to the on position? Are your front panel connectors in the right places?

 

[PezRadar]

Originally posted by: twista80
I found the port for the 4-pin ATX connector on my motherboard but my PSU doesn't seem to have that connector. I did in fact plug in the 20 pin ATX connector. The only sign of my motherboard working though, is the CPU fan which is plugged into the motherboard. I'm just trying to determine whether i've somehow fryed my motherboard(knock on wood) . If the fan CPU fan works would that mean there's some chance that there's still hope? My next line of defense would probably be to start off troubleshooting with the minimum required parts as per linkmaster's advice.

i'm still kind of unusure on why the monitor doesn't seem to be showing any output from the computer, shouldn't at least the BIOS come up if the motherboard was working?

I can answer this possibly..

one of the connectors can break in half.. I believe thats what you need to do to provide power to your motherboard.

Look for one that looks like a 8 pin connector.. 4 on top 4 on bottom.. 2 rows.. and see if you can split that connector.. Thats how my 600W PSU Ultra came.. and I had to do that. Its built to do that.. so you wont break anything I promise