New build will not POST

[Magnadoodle]

My brand new build will not POST. No signal is sent to the screen.

specs: Core 2 duo, Gigabyte P35-D3SL, ocz reaper memory, 8800 gt

I made the error of not plugging in the supplementary power cord on the 8800gt on first boot. I don't think that could have fried the card, but...

I don't have another system to test the components individually. Any idea for finding out what's wrong?

 

[Denithor]

Well the first thing to do is strip it all back out of the case and try just the motherboard, 1 stick RAM, and the video card, plugged into the PS and short the power jumper to start it up (put this together on the motherboard box). If you don't get signal swap for the other stick of memory. Once you get it posting, you can add other components one by one until you can confirm everything works. You may have to up the voltage in the BIOS for that RAM to work right.

I had problems with a 965P-DS3 that wouldn't boot with OCZ memory period. I had to go buy some cheapo Kingston DDR2 at CC to get it to boot at all (boy was I pissed!). OCZ is unfortunately known for needing more volts than standard to boot, you may be in trouble there.

And no, starting up the system with the vid card NOT plugged in will not hurt it. This is much more likely either a RAM problem or else a grounding issue (something grounding the board incorrectly in the case).

 

[Magnadoodle]

Ok, I'll try removing one ram stick. The OCZ memory is rated at 2.3 volts, so maybe that's the issue. Can I use a ddr1 stick to test it out?

Also, what could be the grounding issue? It's true that I have not used one of the spots for screwing the motherboard, but I have a riser underneath it. I can't believe that would be a problem.

 

[Quiksilver]

DDR2 is not backwards compatible with DDR1 so no, you can't use DDR1.

 

[Denithor]

I've seen a grounding issue on a few builds over the last several years. Strange but it happens. If the system still won't boot with just one stick, go ahead and try building the bare necessities on the box like I said.

If there is still no boot you may have to get a stick of cheap DDR2 from a store that offers a lenient return policy (no charge for open box returns) and see if it will boot with that memory. If it does, boost the RAM voltage and try the OCZ again (that's what I had to do 1.5 years ago with my DS3 + OCZ Gold sticks).

 

[sgrinavi]

Originally posted by: Denithor

I had problems with a 965P-DS3 that wouldn't boot with OCZ memory period. I had to go buy some cheapo Kingston DDR2 at CC to get it to boot at all (boy was I pissed!). OCZ is unfortunately known for needing more volts than standard to boot, you may be in trouble there.

GUMP, YOU'RE A XXXX GENIUS!

Thanks, I was having the exact same problem with similar components with some 2.3v. geil RAM.. I stuck a stick of ram out of another system in it and BAM! It fired right up.

U DA MAN

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: sgrinavi
U DA MAN

Seriously, glad my bad experience can help someone else out there with a similar problem. I know I pulled my hair for like an hour before I started looking around the net and realized it might be my "super high-dollar ultra-performance OCZ" memory that was causing the boot failure. That crap (2x1GB OCZ Gold DDR2-667 4-4-4-8 @ 1.8V HA-Yeah right!) cost me nearly $150 after a $75MIR.

Those sticks are now sitting in a box somewhere, I have only found one other motherboard (ASRock Conroe1333, out of like 5-6 tested) that would recognize and use those crappy sticks. And I couldn't get any OC at all on that board (with an e6400 that runs 3GHz on my IP35 at stock volts) so that board is also sitting in the closet. Hmmm...maybe I should pick up an e2140 and do the BSEL mod and throw those together for an HTPC or something...

 

[sgrinavi]

Here's the real pi$$er;

I used those sticks in the second bank of my P35C-DS3R with out any issues and recently replaced them with a set that matched my the pair in my first slot.....

The board I was having a problem with is the P35-DS3L! grrrrrrr...

FWIW, this is the second board that I tried on this build, the first was an open box P5K (garden variety) board from NewEgg, ($82 for 2x16 PCI slots, how couild I go wrong? ) I was certain that it was DOA.. LOL....

Oh well.. might as well get a cheepo processor and replace my trusty 4200/DFI lanparty Rig. LOL...