New computer doesn't work :(

[Kristijonas]

Hello, I have a new sandy bridge pc and it failed to launch. Please share any ideas why this could be the problem.
I have MSI H61m P31/w8 ; Enermax 525w Pro82+
Other parts don't matter I suppose.
I think I installed everything correctly. Then I turned power on, but computer didn't make a sound and I noticed that when I touch the PC, a soft electric shock goes through me. So I turned it off and tried switching power connectors (to front panel) in different ways. Could get the PC to work AT ALL. Please share any ideas or solutions. Thank you!

 

[DSF]

When asking for help with a computer always list all the components you have connected. You just never know.

It sounds from your post like this is the first time you've tried powering on. In other words, you have never seen the computer successfully boot up, right? A shock like that could indicate a grounding issue.

Before you installed the motherboard, did you make sure there were standoffs in all the right places, and no standoffs in unnecessary places?

What exactly did you try switching around with the front panel connections? Do you have them connected as specified in your motherboard manual?

 

[Kristijonas]

UPDATE:

I took the PSU, motherboard+RAM+CPU and the PC case aside (separately) on a bed. And it worked! So everything is OK with the power connectors. Could it be that motherboard is touching the case somewhere and leaks electricity so PSU doesn't start so not to start a firework?
I don't know what to do.
The way I managed cables inside the case and outside were both the same. Except PC didn't work inside.

 

[Kristijonas]

Other components are:
Intel Pentium G860
Crucial 4gb 1333 9cl
Asus GTX 550Ti DirectCu (left the case after the first failure to launch PC)
WD Blue 1Tb 7200
DSF - yes, when I posted my first post, I have not seen my computer working before. It's all new.

 

[CA19100]

Check very, very carefully that the standoffs you're using to screw the motherboard into the case are in the right spots. If you have six standoffs, there should be six screws that can mate with them, for example; no more, no less. Sometimes a case will have some standoffs already screwed in, and you may have to remove some if your board is a different type. A misplaced standoff is a common mistake, and can short out the board and prevent the computer from booting.

 

[Kristijonas]

Check very, very carefully that the standoffs you're using to screw the motherboard into the case are in the right spots. That's a common mistake, and can short out the board.

I'm sorry, I don't understand. Could you clarify this? As I understand, both case, motherboard and screws are all metal, so they are going to touch each other anyway? Did I screw the motherboard too hard and it touched the case with parts it shouldn't touch?
Also, when my motherboard was in the case, it was only screwed by 3 screws. But I doubt that's a problem.

 

[DSF]

First things first, have your read the motherboard manual? If not, start there and make sure you've followed everything it says.

If that hasn't answered your questions, then take a look at the plate inside your case where you install your motherboard. Are the screwholes significantly raised from the rest of the backplate, or is it essentially flat? If they are essentially flat, are there any standoffs installed? Standoffs look like screws at one end and screw holes on the other. They're made to raise the motherboard up off the backplate so as to prevent a short.

If there are no standoffs installed, check the hardware that came with your case. There should be a bag of screws and standoffs, and you'll need to install a standoff in each screw hole that lines up with a screw hole in your motherboard. Your motherboard should be attached with more than three screws.

If there are already standoffs installed, make sure that they line up with the screwholes in your motherboard. If they don't, remove any standoffs that are in the wrong place and move them to an appropriate location. (Or remove completely if you have too many.)

 

[Kristijonas]

Manual that came with this motherboard is completely useful and I saw many people complain about this on the internet.
There's nothing on the <ground for motherboard> on both sides, except holes for screws.

Do you mean those white plastic things by standoff?

 

[Kristijonas]

Sorry for my ignorance. I found out that standoffs are these things:
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg220/bdrem1/Parts/Standoff/STANDOFFM3Alarge-10-2-BD.jpg (For those who google in distance future: brass screws that should be screwed into the case before adding the motherboard)
And here I always wondered what are they!! I will try to build the PC with standoffs now and report back.

 

[Kristijonas]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!! Thank you all for your help! I installed the MB with standoffs and now it works. Will now attach the display and start installing things.

 

[bononos]

Why didn't you consult a diy guide or something before building your pc? I suspect this thread will be a classic.

 

[SKORPI0]

Glad everything worked out. Yes the standoff is always necessary. Good thing nothing was damaged.

 

[Kristijonas]

Why didn't you consult a diy guide or something before building your pc? I suspect this thread will be a classic.

Believe it or not I already have built a PC without standoffs and it worked flawlessly
So this time this was a surprise to me. Also as I've mentioned, MSI "quick installation guide" didn't even mention anything like this.

 

[bononos]

You probably had your previous casing with (built in) raised motherboard standoffs so you didn't need the brass colored thingys. There are installation guides from popular hw websites and on youtube, mb manuals don't cover installation basics.

 

[VirtualLarry]

(For those who google in distance future: brass screws that should be screwed into the case before adding the motherboard)
And here I always wondered what are they!! I will try to build the PC with standoffs now and report back.

LOL! Glad you got it sorted. We all have to start somewhere.

 

[CA19100]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

Glad to hear it! And very glad nothing was damaged. :thumbsup:

Had I not been warned about it ahead of time (through NewEgg's excellent videos), I probably would have done the same thing!

 

[Kristijonas]

It seems onboard LAN is not working. I suppose it could be because of my fail?

 

[DSF]

Yeah I had a screw fall behind the motherboard in my first build and short everything out so it didn't POST.

It's rare that not having the standoffs in would actually fry anything, it just doesn't let the computer start up.

Edit: I actually posted this before I saw your post about the onboard LAN. Go through all the basic troubleshooting steps. (For example, try a different ethernet cable, and if you have a router installed, try plugging directly into the cable modem instead. Make sure you have the network properly configured in Windows and power cycle the cable modem and router.) Also, double check in the BIOS to make sure the onboard LAN is active. It should be by default, but hey, you never know.

 

[Kristijonas]

I tried the same cable in two other PCs and it worked perfectly. Then I tried installing drivers straight from the manufacturers website. Onboard LAN was always enabled in BIOS and I tried messing around with USB devices (powering PC without them) and messing around with other BIOS settings. Nothing worked. Also it appears onboard sound isn't working either. Windows recognizes the onboard sound device, but claims there's no hardware connected as output. Which is a lie and which shouldn't be a concern in the first place. I will take the motherboard to PC service where I bought the parts. Maybe they can fix this somehow.

 

[mfenn]

Do you get a link light on the actual Ethernet port when you plug it in?

 

[Kristijonas]

No..

 

[mfenn]

No..

Sounds like you probably fried it then. RMA time.

 

[Kristijonas]

*UPDATE*
After 20 days of waiting, I received a response from the warranty and they can't replace my motherboard because they don't have another one of this model (MSI H61M P31/w8). They offered to return the money, but I asked for another, better motherboard (with additional payment from me), which is MSI B75A-G41.
This motherboard looks much better even though it doesn't cost that much more. Also it has more PCI connections so I'll be able to connect an ASUS Xonar later. MSI H61M P31/w8 only had 1 PCIe.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Reminder: If you end up with a different board, it may have different architecture, so make sure the standoffs' position in the case matches the holes on the new mobo...

 

[mfenn]

Reminder: If you end up with a different board, it may have different architecture, so make sure the standoffs' position in the case matches the holes on the new mobo...

:thumbsup: The B75A-G41 is Full ATX rather than MicroATX, so the standoffs are guaranteed to be different.