I replaced nearly every part of my desktop and it still won't power up

[b0mbrman]

I'm feeling a bit crestfallen here guys. Please help

So, maybe a month back, my desktop wouldn't power on.

The components back then were:

CASE: Generic mATX from Microcenter
PSU: Generic 430W ATX from Microcenter
BOARD:ECS H61H2-M2
CPU: Intel Celeron G530
MEMORY: 8GB Team Elite DDR3
VIDEO CARD: GIGABYTE GV-R667D3-1GI Radeon HD 6670
SSD: OCZ Vertex Plus 60GB

I transported the case cross-country in a carry-on before the build so the switches unseated themselves, so when the desktop stopped powering on, I figured it was time to just buy a new case. When it still didn't power on, I assumed it had to be the power supply (because power, right?) so I replaced that. Still didn't work, I assumed I must have done something to the motherboard so replaced that. When it still didn't work, I figured it must be the CPU fan, and decided it was time to upgrade CPUs anyway, so replaced that. Here's where I ended up:

CASE: Rosewill FB-04 Dual Fans ATX
PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 500W ATX12V 
BOARD: ASUS H61M-A/USB3
CPU: Intel Pentium G2120
MEMORY: 8GB Team Elite DDR3
VIDEO CARD: GIGABYTE GV-R667D3-1GI Radeon HD 6670
SSD: Intel X25-M MLC 80GB

I have no idea what to do and am super-frustrated.

Basically, when I plug it in and hit the switch, nothing happens. It doesn't boot up, no fans turn on. Other than the little LED on the motherboard, I can't tell that it's even plugged in.

Any ideas what the issue could be?

 

[pete1229]

Does the fan inside the PSU spin up? Sounds like the leads from the front panel buttons might not be installed correctly, have you double checked those?

 

[John Connor]

It could very well be the headers to the power button.

 

[b0mbrman]

Does the fan inside the PSU spin up? Sounds like the leads from the front panel buttons might not be installed correctly, have you double checked those?

It could very well be the headers to the power button.

Thanks for the response, guys. The fan inside the PSU doesn't spin up.

Just checked now and the wires are in the right position on the motherboard's system panel connecter and appear to be connected to the front panel. Is there some way to test?

 

[TerryMathews]

Thanks for the response, guys. The fan inside the PSU doesn't spin up.

Just checked now and the wires are in the right position on the motherboard's system panel connecter and appear to be connected to the front panel. Is there some way to test?

Use a flat head screwdriver to short the pins.

 

[denis280]

Use a flat head screwdriver to short the pins.

and test the psu.with a jumper from the green wire and black

 

[b0mbrman]

Use a flat head screwdriver to short the pins.

Of course. A duh moment on my part... Thanks

 

[b0mbrman]

and test the psu.with a jumper from the green wire and black

Ah-ha. Is this to trick it into thinking it's connected to a CPU fan? Or more generally that everything checks out?

Also, and sorry if this is a dumb question, but there's never variation on these two being the correct colors, right?

 

[John Connor]

If you use a paper clip and short a green wire with a black wire the PSU will start. First short the pins on the power button and see if the computer starts.

 

[b0mbrman]

If you use a paper clip and short a green wire with a black wire the PSU will start. First short the pins on the power button and see if the computer starts.

Thanks!

I followed this and shorted the pins. Fans actually gave the tiniest jump before stopping. I pulled the power supply and shorted pins 15 and 16 and the fans started up.

Now I don't know what to think

 

[boomerang]

Make sure you have the four pin power connector plugged into the board.

You will be attempting to start the system by momentarily shorting across the pins that the power button attaches to. Page 1-27 of the motherboard manual shows them to be the rightmost pair in the top row.

Clear the CMOS. The procedure is on page 1-19 in your motherboard manual. Follow the procedure and try to start the system. If it doesn't start after the first step, move to the battery removal procedure and try again.

Disconnect everything attached to the motherboard with the exception of the Power Supply, CPU, Memory and Monitor. Short the pins to try and start.

Pull the video card and use the onboard video. The video card and the memory are the common denominators across both iterations. Try to start the system. If it won't start, next is the memory. Try one stick at a time switching between slots trying to start with each configuration.

If that doesn't work, take the board out of the case and put it on some cardboard with the Power Supply, CPU, Memory and Monitor connected and try to start. If it won't, download the memory compatibility data for your board to verify that the memory you are using will work with that board. http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/H61MAUSB3/#support_QVL

If that doesn't work try and start the system with no memory installed at all. You should get beeps but you will need to have a case speaker attached as there is no onboard speaker. No beeps means RMA the board.

 

[John Connor]

Okay, the PSU works, now did you short the power button connectors and see if the PC starts?

 

[b0mbrman]

Make sure you have the four pin power connector plugged into the board.

You will be attempting to start the system by momentarily shorting across the pins that the power button attaches to. Page 1-27 of the motherboard manual shows them to be the rightmost pair in the top row.

Clear the CMOS. The procedure is on page 1-19 in your motherboard manual. Follow the procedure and try to start the system. If it doesn't start after the first step, move to the battery removal procedure and try again.

Disconnect everything attached to the motherboard with the exception of the Power Supply, CPU, Memory and Monitor. Short the pins to try and start.

Pull the video card and use the onboard video. The video card and the memory are the common denominators across both iterations. Try to start the system. If it won't start, next is the memory. Try one stick at a time switching between slots trying to start with each configuration.

If that doesn't work, take the board out of the case and put it on some cardboard with the Power Supply, CPU, Memory and Monitor connected and try to start. If it won't, download the memory compatibility data for your board to verify that the memory you are using will work with that board. http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/H61MAUSB3/#support_QVL

If that doesn't work try and start the system with no memory installed at all. You should get beeps but you will need to have a case speaker attached as there is no onboard speaker. No beeps means RMA the board.

Okay, the PSU works, now did you short the power button connectors and see if the PC starts?

Hi guys- Yes, I tried to short the two pins that correspond to the power switch -- got the exact same result of the fans turning on briefly.

I'll try the other things when I get home. Thanks so much

 

[b0mbrman]

No beeps

I guess I'll start on an RMA

 

[Steltek]

Since you are going to have to remove the board to RMA anyway, try placing the board on a piece of cardboard with one DRAM module installed and try to power it on. Does it do anything? What about if you try to power it on with no memory modules installed at all?

 

[John Connor]

And remove the video card since that is the same part along with memory from the old build. Surely those two could be the culprit.

 

[alkemyst]

You have a physical problem.

 

[b0mbrman]

Since you are going to have to remove the board to RMA anyway, try placing the board on a piece of cardboard with one DRAM module installed and try to power it on. Does it do anything? What about if you try to power it on with no memory modules installed at all?

It was on my wood coffee table with just power supply, motherboard, CPU and CPU fan, RAM, and the little speaker attached, then I shorted pins 6 and 8. Nothing. I tried without the RAM and nothing again.

Oh, or are you saying I should try without the CPU too? I can do that when I get home.

 

[b0mbrman]

You have a physical problem.