New build, monitor not getting signal

[thindelock]

Hello all. I'd really appreciate some help here. I built a new computer, turned it on, all fans and LEDs come on briefly, then the fans all turn off, then it turns back on and stays, but the monitor never shows that it's getting a signal. Monitor is known-good, I can attach it to other computers fine. The case didn't come with a system speaker, so no beep code information.

It's been a few years since I built a system, but I checked my compatibility and cabling a couple of times, everything should be good.

Steps I've tried so far, in order:
1) Reseated memory
2) Reseated power and data cables, including checking all modular connections on power supply
3) Cleared CMOS by jumpers. NOTE: The next boot attempt didn't turn off the fans temporarily like the others had
4) Reseated graphics card. NOTE: After this, the weird double-cycle of the fans started back again.

My problem is, I'm 45 minutes away from the computer part store. Making multiple trips back and forth to get one bit then another is an expensive, time-consuming proposition.

My hunch is, power supply. It's louder than I think it's supposed to be based on reviews. It's 550w, which some online sources say is enough for this sort of build and some say isn't. But again, I want to explore all options before I start running around buying one piece at a time. And unfortunately, I don't have a desktop to salvage parts from, my wife and I have had laptops only for 3 years.

Here's an equipment breakdown:

ASUS P8P67-R3 LGA 1155 P67 Intel ATX Motherboard
Core i7 2600K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor
WD Caviar Blue 1TB 7,200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Sapphire AMD Radeon HD 6950 1024MB GDDR5 PCIe 2.1 x16
Vengeance Series 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 Dual Channel (2x4GB)
LG GH22NS50 22X Internal SATA Super Multi DVD Drive OEM
Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case
Coolmax CUL-550B 550 Watt Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply
Vertex Limited Edition OCZSSD2-1VTXLE1 100GB SATA 3.0Gb/s 2.5" SSD

Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[denis280]

Are you sure it's all connected properly. i would take a look all over again to make sure. and then i would try another power sup.

 

[BoomerD]

Since you say the PSU is Coolmax and 550 watts, the various lists say "manufacturer unknown." That's not a good sign, especially with a company whose power supplies are at best, very sketchy.

I'd strongly suggest a new power supply.

 

[oynaz]

Stop trusting the sources saying that 550W is not enough. It is plenty. That being said, it might still be a bad PSU, but mobo, RAM and video card are also suspects.

Try booting with only one stick of RAM (try both). Ask around if anyone near you have an old video card you can try. This can help you rule out 2 possibilities.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

if it turns off quickly then you have a grounding problem. did you put it together yourself?

 

[thindelock]

Thanks for the replies all. I was out all day yesterday, so I just got back to this. To answer some questions and give second-round feedback:

Yes, I built it myself. I used nearly all the mounting posts for the motherboard, and I don't see any board-to-chassis contact. I also tried two different power outlets (one with known-good ground... the other I didn't realize was open-ground until just now). Also used two different surge strips. So if it is a power or grounding issue, I'm looking at the PSU.

Excellent suggestion oynaz. Tried each memory module seperately, both in the optimal socket for a single module and in a secondary socket. Rules out the RAM being bad, also rules out the RAM sockets unless the entire four-socket module is bad.

I checked the connections. I can take everything out and start from the ground up again, but short of that I've double-checked where everything is plugged in and that all connections are snug.

I have to head out for work now. I'll grab a PSU while I'm out and give that a go, I can get that much at least in town without a long commute. If that fails I probably will tear the whole thing down and start fresh. I'll post back tonight with updates.

 

[thindelock]

Picked up a new power supply, Antec 750w (the only other options were 500 or lower at the only nearby store). No change... fans spin up, fans die down completely, then fans spin up and hard drive chirps as if for a full bootup, but the monitor still sees no signal.

Of course, in doing a PSU transplant I got a chance to reseat all the power connections, and took the opportunity to reseat data cables as well.

Any other insights would be much appreciated. I'm going to read the motherboard book cover-to-cover to make sure I didn't miss something silly, then I'll probably resort to paying a pc tech for a second set of eyes.