Need some help on this one

[dsera]

I can't seem to narrow down the problem with my machine. I'm no hardware expert but I've built quite a few machines and do fairly well at troubleshooting. I just built my last machine about 4-5 months ago. It ran fine until a couple of weeks ago and I just walked in my house one day and my machine was off and wouldn't power up. First thing I thought was the power supply so I change it out and up it goes. A week later, I come in the door and my machine is down again. This time I hear the fans running but nothing on my monitor. I thought at first it might be video related or monitor related so I switch them both out. Nothing different. I unplug everything from the machine except the MB/CPU/RAM/Video and get the same thing. So I just assume it's either the MB or CPU..... I order a new MB since it's the cheapest to buy. It gets here today and I put it in the machine with again just the MB/CPU/RAM/Video and now I get nothing. Not even power. I've checked seating, reset the CMOS, I even changed out the power cord just in case. I'm at a complete loss on this one so I thought before I get myself so mad I can't see straight, I'd come find someone who might have a clue. Here are the machine's specs as of now.

ATX Case w/ 400 ps
MB is Foxconn Socket 940
CPU is AMD FX-51
Heatsink/Fan is Thermaltake Venus 12 (used Arctic Silver when installing)
Ram is Kingston Registered 2x1GB w/ Vantec Iceburg copper heatspreaders
Video is Sapphire 256MB PCI

I think that's all you need. I'd appreciate any suggestions on this one.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

What brand is your PSU? I've had instances kind of like that, and it was a combination of the power supply being overloaded and the actual power. So I got an UPS and added another PSU, and it worked out nice.
Tas.

 

[dsera]

The first one was a Thermaltake and this one is a Raidmax. I suppose it could be the faulty motherboard has burned this one as well.... I didn't even give it much thought. Question though, how did you add another PSU? I do have a UPS and a voltage regulator now. I'm wondering if maybe the 400wt wasn't enough for all I have in this... thoughts?

 

[gsaldivar]

Check the motherboard very closely with bright light for any signs of capacitor damage (indicated by bulging or leaking capacitors) - small power issues such as these may be indicative of failing capacitors on the motherboard.

 

[dsera]

I will check for that but I really don't think it could be, this is the second motherboard in the machine since it died. I took this out of the box and into the machine. I guess I could have done something to it but I was pretty careful. Thanks!