Help on my first system

[Brute Risk]

After researching sites and speaking with friends, I decided to take the plunge and build my first computer.

I am trying to build the Anandtech Midrange Intel System:

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
Video Card: EVGA 896-P3-1260-AR GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500
CPU Cooler: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
PSU: PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below)
DVD Drive: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30
RAM: OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
HD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Case: COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Issue: I've done something wrong or the PSU is borked.

All the pieces went together without significant problems during yesterday's build. Today I wired everything up and attempted to start the machine. Nothing happened. I clicked the PSU switch a few times Nothing. I disconnected all the power connections and tried starting up the PSU up alone. Not a sound. I reconnected all the power connections and tried again. Nothing.

I'm almost 100% sure that I'm missing something basic. I believe everything is plugged in correctly, I've taken the standard static precautions, and I've been careful when handling all the components. I read a few reviews that this PSU can come "dead in the box" but I thought I should come to the boards before I RMA it.

I do have a few older computers around the house, I'm hesitant about removing their power supplies and trying them on this project only because I already feel a bit out of my depth. I do not have any electronics testing equipment. The only electrical tool I own is electrical tape.

Specific questions:

Should the PSU's integrated fan start when powered up, even if the PSU isn't connected to anything?
If the PSU is functional and my MB and CPU connections are correct, shouldn't the MB's LED lights come on, even if nothing else does?

Thank you in advance.

 

[mpilchfamily]

The PSu won't turn on inless its connected to the motherboard or you use a peice of wire to short the green and a black wire in its 24 pin connector. So short those 2 wires. If nothering happens then the PSU is DOA.

 

[Zap]

Hello Brute Risk, and welcome to the forums.

Originally posted by: Brute Risk
Should the PSU's integrated fan start when powered up, even if the PSU isn't connected to anything?

No. As mpilchfamily said, the PSU needs certain things to be able to "turn on." One thing you can do is to invest the $10-15 in a cheap power supply tester. Those testers are great for powering on a power supply to make sure that it isn't completely dead, plus you can power on other things such as fans connected to the power supply. While using wire to power on the PSU works, it isn't without faults. I knew a guy who did that to every power supply he had to make sure they turned on, and then his power supplies wouldn't power on motherboards anymore. Turns out when he rammed a wire into the ATX power connector, he reamed out the contacts so that they were loose.

In any case a cheap PSU tester wouldn't hurt to have in your PC toolbox. Just know that the only thing it "tests" is that the power supply turns on and that it has all voltages (except -5v, which is no longer used). Cheap PSU testers will not test a power supply for adherence to voltages, nor output.

Originally posted by: Brute Risk
If the PSU is functional and my MB and CPU connections are correct, shouldn't the MB's LED lights come on, even if nothing else does?

Maybe, but not always.

When a new build does not power on, the first thing I would do is to take it all apart and follow these steps:

1) Reinstall the CPU in the motherboard.
2) Install the CPU fan/heatsink with the proper amount (very little is needed) of thermal compound, or no extra thermal compound if it already had a patch pre-applied on it.
3) Hook up the CPU fan to the CPU fan header on the motherboard.
4) Hook up the case PC speaker to the headers on the motherboard. Note that this is not your multimedia speakers, but the little tiny speaker that comes with your case. Most cases now come with these little ½" diameter black things with a black and red wire (about 1" long) connected to a 4 pin connector with nothing in the middle pins.
5) Place your motherboard on top of the motherboard box.
6) Hook up your power supply by connecting the power cable to the surge strip, the 24 pin motherboard cable to the motherboard plus the extra 4 or 8 pin connector on the motherboard. Note that the 8 pin is either a solid block, or a 4+4 block (detachable). If you are trying to shoehorn the 6+2 block into it, then you are plugging in the wrong connector (that is for video card).
7) Make sure the switch on the back of the power supply is turned on.

Power on the motherboard by using something metal (I use a screwdriver tip) to short out the pins for the power switch connector. If things are "working" then the CPU and power supply fans should spin up, plus you should hear some kind of beeping from the speaker.

If it powers up and beeps, then turn it off and add RAM and video card, and plug power into the video card (two 6-pin) and of course hook up your monitor. Then, try it again to see if you get a picture on your screen.

If it does not turn on at all then unless you still don't have something hooked up right, something may be DOA (PSU, CPU, mobo). If it turns on but you get no beeps, then potentially mobo or CPU are faulty.

Hopefully you get the problem resolved, and feel free to hang out here even if you don't need computer help.

 

[Brute Risk]

Originally posted by: ZapIf it powers up and beeps, then turn it off and add RAM and video card, and plug power into the video card (two 6-pin) and of course hook up your monitor. Then, try it again to see if you get a picture on your screen.

If it does not turn on at all then unless you still don't have something hooked up right, something may be DOA (PSU, CPU, mobo). If it turns on but you get no beeps, then potentially mobo or CPU are faulty.

Unfortunately, my case does not come with speakers (a fact specifically mentioned in a negative comment on a review of this case -- before I wondered why it mattered, now I know!).

Still, I followed your instructions and the LED lights do flash on with just a MB, CPU, and power (though the LEDs do not stay on, they fade after 5 seconds or so). I will follow the rest of your advice, as if I had heard beeps, and see if I can get a little further.

Thanks again!

Edit: small change.

 

[Schmide]

220/120 switch back of the PSU check it.

 

[Brute Risk]

I broke down my system to MB, CPU, CPU fan, and PSU. The MB's LEDs blazed -- success! After determining my PSU was functional I found out that my PC Case does not have speakers.

I went ahead and hooked up RAM and my video card, plugged in the card and a monitor and started the system. Nothing on my monitor. While the monitor didn't show a "no signal" or "out of range" message, the screen remained blank while the CPU fan quietly whirred.

Again, I assume I'm doing something wrong. Unlike my PSU, the CPU's return policy is quite limited and while I am carefully handling all materials, I'm afraid

Specific question:

Since my case did not come with an internal speaker, barring what I did above, is there any way to test if my MB or CPU is borked?

 

[Schmide]

Try one sitck of ram. One video card.

Make sure your reset switch isn't shorted. (ie unplug it)

 

[Schmide]

My CoolerMaster Stacker 810 came with a small mini speaker. Look for it in your accessories.

 

[Brute Risk]

Originally posted by: Schmide
Try one sitck of ram.

It worked! I did not find a speaker in my accessories box, however, I appreciate all your suggestions. I literally gave a yell when my screen flickered on.

Thanks for all your help!