My first build isn't going so well.

Cawchy87

Diamond Member
Mar 8, 2004
5,104
2
81
First, specs.

AMD athlon 1800+ palamino core

ABIT KT7A-RAID

Generic CD-ROM

2 OLD Hardrives

1 floppy (know it works)

ATI 4mb vid card

SB LIVE!

10/100 nic card

Antec Solution Series Case

Problem number 1:
Finniky powersupply.

I have to hit the power button and flip the switch at the back constantly to try to get it to turn on. Haven't got it to boot with cd-rom, hardrives, and floppy connected yet. Mabye a lack of power, not sure. (My friend brought over another power supply so i am running the drives and fans off of that.

Problem number 2:
The led's on the mouse and keyboard don't come on.

I have an optical mouse and the little light doesn't come on and the "num lock" and other lights don't come on the keyboard. (Know they work)

Problem number 3:
CD-Rom drive won't open.

It is possible that it just plain doesn't work, but i have a molex connector on it from my friends power supply and the ide cable to my mobo if that makes a differance.

Problem number 4:
Nothing comes onto the screen at start up.

I don't hear any beeps, or see anything on the screen when i boot up the computer.

POSITIVE SIGNS!!!
1. The led on the network card lights up.
2. The cpu fan and case fan hooked up to the mobo turn on (when i get the power supply working)

I may have not included enough information, but just ask and i will do my best to tell you or take pictures of the computer.

Thanks for any help you can give!

Thanks
Paul
 

wfbberzerker

Lifer
Apr 12, 2001
10,423
0
0
well, at least you've found something positive!

what type of psu do you have?

all of your problems lead me to believe your motherboard may be screwed up.
but, try using a different psu in your computer if you can to see if that fixes anything. also, (and more importantly), try a different motherboard (if you have one) with your components, or try all the components in a different computer.
 

Cawchy87

Diamond Member
Mar 8, 2004
5,104
2
81
Well, good night to the late night crew (and early morning) I will test everything out tomorrow using diff systems and post back. Thanks for your help!
 

mbackof

Senior member
Sep 10, 2003
382
0
0
This could be a crap power supply, but also check the seating of boards, especially your video card, and also reseat the motherboard in the case. You might have an improper ground, which can cause all sorts of screwy problems like known-good devices not working for no apparent reason.
 

Cheetah8799

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2001
4,508
0
76
Problem 1: Get a cheap 300W ATX power supply. If you think the one you have is bad, replace it before you fry your mobo or something... You can also easily borrow one from a friend's computer to test in yours.

Problem 2: They might not come on because the system isn't posting properly.

Problem 3: If it won't turn on when powerd by a good power supply, then just throw it in the trash. CD drives are disposable these days. You can get a new CDRW drive for $20 no problem...

Problem 4: You have the speaker plugged into the mobo header? If no beeps, well, maybe try different video card. I've had video cards that don't work and mobo won't beep.
 

justly

Banned
Jul 25, 2003
493
0
0
To start with just about (if not) all ATI 4MB video cards run 2x AGP requiring 3.3v and most (again, if not) all currently available motherboards only support AGP 4x/8x using only 1.5v (I may have the voltages a little off). This may not be the case, but without further information I would have to say it is a very very very good possibility. So a new AGP 4x (or above) compatible video card should be highly considered.

It also sounds like a power supply problem but again with the lack of information it is hard to tell. Is the power supply new or old? Do you know the manufacturers name? Or any of its specs? Also don?t rule out that the video card problem could be causing some of the other problems, since it may be trying to suck more voltage than the motherboard can provide.
 

AMCRambler

Diamond Member
Jan 23, 2001
7,711
30
91
Yeah the symptoms are convoluted a bit I think. Maybe try and isolate as much as you can. Start with just the mobo, ram, cpu vid card and power supply hooked up and see what happens with the power on problem with the switch and button you were menitoning. If you still doesn't turn right on with the power button, pull that vid card out and see if it turns on without it. That will tell you if the card is causing your post problems like Justly is saying with the voltage on the agp slot. If it is the card replace that and then see if your other problems persist.
 

deathwalker

Golden Member
May 22, 2003
1,211
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0
It is very possible that your first and most pressing problem is that the AGP video card you are using is not compliant with new voltage standards..if that is the case you are dead in the water until you get a Video card that you know will work with that modo....you cant expore any other problems until you get it to POST.
 

Cawchy87

Diamond Member
Mar 8, 2004
5,104
2
81
ok, i got a 9700pro today so i can throw my 9700non pro in there. (going to sell it eventully). I have an ATI 7000 on the way that should do nicely.

Thanks guys for the comments on the vid card! That would save me a lot of trouble.

Ok, going to go test!
 

Cawchy87

Diamond Member
Mar 8, 2004
5,104
2
81
Oh boy, this is worse than i thought.

My cpu doesn't work in my friends mobo

his cpu doesn't work in my mobo.

So my cpu and motherboard don't work!

Glad i always make sure to get DOA garentee's!