How to assemble a PC

[AMDIntel]

Removed all memory sticks, removed all optical drives and Floppy drives, removed SATA drive.
Here's my current config:
Mobo screwed to case behind stand-offs
2 x 12 connector
2 x 2 connector
POWER SW, POWER LED from Case onto Mobo
CPU fan screwed (replaced Intel stock Heatsink fan with Coolmaster) to mobo and inserted in slot
As far as I know CPU in correct slot
did both CMOS clear (moved jumper) and removed CMOS battery for 30-45 seconds

When I press the 0/1 button on PSU, mobo LED glows steady green
when I press the Front Panel POWER On button,
CPU fan, Case fan and PSU fan(front) spin continuosly
no beeps, nothing on monitor, nothing happening.

What to do now? Now that there are no optical Drives, hard drives, floppy drives, NO RAM even,
should the mobo not have done a POST, screaming no memory?

Beats me completely! Clueless!

 

[bX510]

Originally posted by: Trashman
besides the 24-pin power connector don't forget or check that you have the 4-pin power cable connected as well...thought i'd through that out as well, could have been overlooked.

I might have missed this, but did you tried this AMDintel? Also, might be your processor.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: AMDIntel
Removed all memory sticks, removed all optical drives and Floppy drives, removed SATA drive.
Here's my current config:
Mobo screwed to case behind stand-offs
2 x 12 connector
2 x 2 connector
POWER SW, POWER LED from Case onto Mobo
CPU fan screwed (replaced Intel stock Heatsink fan with Coolmaster) to mobo and inserted in slot
As far as I know CPU in correct slot
did both CMOS clear (moved jumper) and removed CMOS battery for 30-45 seconds

When I press the 0/1 button on PSU, mobo LED glows steady green
when I press the Front Panel POWER On button,
CPU fan, Case fan and PSU fan(front) spin continuosly
no beeps, nothing on monitor, nothing happening.

What to do now? Now that there are no optical Drives, hard drives, floppy drives, NO RAM even,
should the mobo not have done a POST, screaming no memory?

The mobo can't POST without RAM, so that's to be expected. I see you're aware of the ATX12V (2x2 yellow-yellow-black-black) cable, so that's good. If you haven't tried this yet, remove the motherboard from the case, lay it on cardboard, and threaten it with violence :evil: They fear water and high-voltage shock, if you need ideas. Then try the most stripped-down configuration you can: NO keyboard, no mouse, no drives or cards, just the CPU/heatsink/fan, RAM and monitor.

Also, is the monitor known working? If it has multiple inputs, is it "watching" the correct one (my monitor can look at either its DVI or its VGA input port, it's switchable).

 

[AMDIntel]

Thanks for all your suggestions. Re-checked everything and it looked fine. As a last resort, un-screwed the HS fan and removed the CPU to inspect it for bent pins. There were none. However, I noticed that there were a couple of specs of dust (thermal compound, perhaps?) on the side of the CPU that you are not supposed to touch. I was 100% sure that I never touched that portion before. Anyways, I took the risk and took out a ear cleaning bud and gently removed the 2 specs. Looked like the CPU was clean (on the side mating with the mobo) now. Re-seated the CPU, re-installed the HS fan and turned the PS from 0 to 1 and the instant I turned the case front panel power on button, i hear 3 loud beeps (for no ram) and this was expected, since i had removed everything. VOILA! I am finally back in business now. I re-inserted both the memory sticks, re-connected the optical/hard drives and re-started the system. Intel Logo appears on screen with no beeps and hit the del key to go into the BIOS. Checked everything and changed the boot sequence to (CD first, floppy second, hdd third, please advise, if this is the best setting).

Saved my settings and inserted my XP pro SP2 CD and I am seeing the Windows Setup screen.

Thanks for alll your help and suggestions. They definitely helped in locating the problem. Please comment on the boot sequence, and whether I should change it after everything gets installed fine. Also, should I update the BIOS with the latest version from Intel? Is that simple?

 

[Roguestar]

Do you have a thermal paste on your HSF? The way I read that it sounded like after you took it apart it was clean apart from dust .

Updating the BIOS is easy, get it from the motherboard driver download section of the website. It'll take a floppy disk to flasht the BIOS but it's easy enough.

 

[AMDIntel]

Yes, after removing dust from the CPU, I reapplied paste on the Integrated Heat spreader surface of the CPU and made it into a thin film and applied some on the HSF as well. I am currently installing XP SP2 and once it finishes, I will update the BIOS. Thanks.