Help!! System won't start after switching cases!

[Mamapajama]

Hi guys,

So a few days ago, I bought an Antec Sonata to replace my old Antec tower. Here's what I have in it: XP2400+ @ 2.1 ghz, R9700pro AIW, 1x512mb Corsair pc3200, all on an Epox 8RDA+. Everything ran just fine the day before the case switch. After switching cases, it wouldnt even post anymore. I tried to swap every individual part and here's what I found:

Video card works fine on another mobo (an 8k3a).
The 2400+ works fine on that 8k3a as well.
Memory is fine.
Both cases DO supply power to that 8k3a.

An old XP 1700+ cpu works fine on that 8k3a, but when plugged into the 8RDA+, there is no post.


My assumption is that the 8RDA+ mobo went bad.... but I don't see how that could have happened (other than uncontrollable and highly unlikely factors like shorting out because of dust or something). This was #10000 of multiple rigs I've built so I ruled out noob mistakes, by the way. Any ideas on how to fix this problem or what went wrong here? Thanks in advance!

 

[MichaelD]

Assuming all you did was take all the components, including the PS and cables and swap them from Case A to Case B, here are some ideas:

1. You have a stray standoff in the new case that's shorting out the mobo from underneath

2. You tightened the mobo mounting screws too much and cracked the mobo, shorting it out

3. You don't have the ATX/P4 connector fully inserted (remove and reinsert several times to be sure)

4. Stray case screw or other metal part fell in and rolled under the mobo (similar to #1, above)

5. One of the PS wires is pinched somewhere, shorting out the PS


That's off the top of my head.

 

[Mamapajama]

Thanks for the tips..

I had checked previously for stray screws and found none. I remember leaving the screws slightly loose, so I eliminated that.

One question about the PSU remark you made in #5: if that were the case, then the PSU shouldnt be powering on at all right?

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Mamapajama
Thanks for the tips..

I had checked previously for stray screws and found none. I remember leaving the screws slightly loose, so I eliminated that.

One question about the PSU remark you made in #5: if that were the case, then the PSU shouldnt be powering on at all right?

Not necessarily. If there's a short, but it's not a "complete short to ground" i.e. maybe just one strand of wire, etc, the PS might be strong enough to "power past" that and boot...until the mobo starts drawing serious current, then it dies.

 

[magratton]

my most likely cuprits would be cards that are not in fully. I had a video card that was ever so slightly off kilter once. made it so system would not boot.

My suggestion is to try re-seat everything (cept cpu) to ensure proper connection. Also, unplug any unnecessary items (like front-side usb, audio etc) to rule out any kind of a connection short out like MichaelD indicates. Hell you can even unplug pretty much everything (including drives) and just make sure the mobo boots. in fact that would be a great starting place.

 

[Mamapajama]

So I tried plugging in only the vid. card and memory too see if I could at least get into the BIOS... nuthin'! I tried resetting CMOS as well for the heck of it, and nothing still... fearing the worst!

By the way, micahelD, about your PSU comment... I'm not too knowledgeable about PSU's, so correct me if I'm wrong here: I thought initially that perhaps the PSU was supplying power to everything but there wasnt enough juice for the 9700 pro IF there was something wrong with the PSU. The only thing is, the 8RDA+ was also not posting on my old case either... Just some thoughts.

Again, fearing the worst!

 

[imported_NoGodForMe]

Check the actual pins in the PS connector to make sure they didn't get pushed back when you plugged them in. This happened with me on my latest build. The 24 to 20 pin connector had 1 wire pushed back, yet the PS powered up, my CD rom drives powered up, but the CPU was dead.
If you want to see a picture of what happened to me, go here.
http://www.nogodforme.com/MyBabyTera.htm