New Build Won't Start - Help Please

[someaznboy]

Hi guys,

Well I have a problem with my computer...it won't power on. The first time, I assembled everything into the case and the only thing that turned on was the green light on the Motherboard. Then I took everything out and just connected the motherboard, power supply, CPU and 1 stick of RAM. I used a screwdriver to short the power pins on the motherboard and out of the case the CPU cooler was running fine so I'm thinking everything is ok. However, I put everything back together into the case and nothing happened again, nothing is running. Then, I take it all out again and try to start it up with my screwdriver and the CPU fan just runs for a second or two and stops. So...i don't know what to do now. Bear in mind that I applied and re-applied thermal compound onto the CPU several times so I am thinking maybe I damaged the CPU somehow during the process? If anyone could chime in with some advice I could really use some. Thank you!

 

[IcePickFreak]

Pull the bios battery for a few minutes and try again. Also, if it's starting when it's out of your case but not when in, check for the mobo grounding out somewhere in the case.

 

[DSF]

It's always helpful to list the specs of your system.

So after pulling the board out the second time it won't boot outside the system on a nonconductive surface?

Were you careful when you were applying the thermal compound, or were you sloppy about it? Are you sure that the heatsink is securely seated?

 

[smoothvirus]

The same thing happened to me this weekend when I did my system build. After scratching my head, then taking the system back to the bench and checking all the connections, I found that the ATX connector was just barely connected. It was only out by a millimeter or two but that was all it took. After I reconnected it everything fired right up.

 

[someaznboy]

Originally posted by: DSF
It's always helpful to list the specs of your system.

So after pulling the board out the second time it won't boot outside the system on a nonconductive surface?

Were you careful when you were applying the thermal compound, or were you sloppy about it? Are you sure that the heatsink is securely seated?

I was careful as possible, wiping the compound off with a paper towel upon putting in and taking out the CPU each time. Yes, the heatsink was secure.
Here's my specs:

ASUS P5Q Pro

ASUS Radeon 4850

ASUS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283

Western Digital Caviar 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

Rocketfish Aluminum Full-Tower Case

CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 Power Supply

 

[someaznboy]

Originally posted by: IcePickFreak
Pull the bios battery for a few minutes and try again. Also, if it's starting when it's out of your case but not when in, check for the mobo grounding out somewhere in the case.

Where's the bios battery and how do I take it out? What do you mean by the motherboard grounding out?

 

[DSF]

Your motherboard manual should show you the location of the battery, which they will probably refer to as the CMOS battery. It's a circular battery kind of like a watch battery.

The back of the motherboard is covered with electrical traces. They're very easily shorted out by anything conductive that comes into contact with them. That's why cases use standoffs to push the motherboard away from the metal motherboard tray. Make sure that you only have standoffs where you need them, and that none of them touch the motherboard where there's no screw hole. Also, make sure that no screws or cables found their way behind the motherboard that might mess things up. It's not hard to accidentally drop a screw behind the motherboard while you're working.

Edit: And by the way, I second the earlier comment of double-checking all your connections. Often computer building problems have very basic solutions.

 

[someaznboy]

Originally posted by: DSF
Your motherboard manual should show you the location of the battery, which they will probably refer to as the CMOS battery. It's a circular battery kind of like a watch battery.

The back of the motherboard is covered with electrical traces. They're very easily shorted out by anything conductive that comes into contact with them. That's why cases use standoffs to push the motherboard away from the metal motherboard tray. Make sure that you only have standoffs where you need them, and that none of them touch the motherboard where there's no screw hole. Also, make sure that no screws or cables found their way behind the motherboard that might mess things up. It's not hard to accidentally drop a screw behind the motherboard while you're working.

Edit: And by the way, I second the earlier comment of double-checking all your connections. Often computer building problems have very basic solutions.

Wow, that's some really great advice. I say that because I think I screwed a couple of stand-offs in the tray not thinking it would cause a problem. I'm at work right now but I will definitely take care of that first thing. Also, how would I take out the battery if I need to? Think the manual will have instructions for that? Thanks very much for your help, guys. I'll let you know what happens...

 

[smoothvirus]

Definitely check both ATX power connections. That was my issue. I have the P5Q-E which is nearly identical to your board. If that power connector is even the slightest bit loose it won't power up, even though the power and reset lights turn on. Found that out this weekend.

 

[someaznboy]

Guys, I did everything told me last night and I got it up and running! Thank you sooo much to all of you, especially DSF! I think the problem was I had extra standoffs all around and I had no idea that that would cause me problems. I know I am such a newb and I deserved all that headache. I don't know what I would do without you guys here. Thank you very much, everyone.

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: someaznboy
Guys, I did everything told me last night and I got it up and running! Thank you sooo much to all of you, especially DSF! I think the problem was I had extra standoffs all around and I had no idea that that would cause me problems. I know I am such a newb and I deserved all that headache. I don't know what I would do without you guys here. Thank you very much, everyone.

Like I said, computer problems often have very basic solutions. That's why my first piece of advice is always don't build when you're tired, frustrated or distracted.