New PC Build

[RealRaver]

My problem: The PC starts up physically, the the monitor shows nothing, not even the blinking cursor. The video card runs, well at least the fan does when power is applied.
I've tried both video cards seprately.

I've disconnected evey component to the bare minimum:
reduced my ram to a 1 gig stick
1 optical drive
1 video card

and still nothing. I'm lost now...any info would be most helpful. If I'm forgetting to offer some critical info, post it.

I don't know what else to do. Thanks for your help, in advance.


Specs:
Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe Motherboard
FX-55 (lapped)
Thermalright Ultra-120 Heatsink (lapped)
WD SATA 74GB Raptors x 2
Toughpower 750w PSU
evga 7900 GTO x 2
2.5GB Ram
Lite-On 20x DVD Burner x 2

 

[mechBgon]

First the silly questions:

do you have the EZ-Plug and the ATX12V cables both hooked up? The EZ Plug supplies extra power to the PCI-Express slots, especially important for SLI, and the ATX12V cable (square 2x2, two yellow, two black) provides power to the CPU.

 

[RealRaver]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
First the silly questions:

do you have the EZ-Plug and the ATX12V cables both hooked up? The EZ Plug supplies extra power to the PCI-Express slots, especially important for SLI, and the ATX12V cable (square 2x2, two yellow, two black) provides power to the CPU.

Concerning the EZ Plug: I have yet to install the 2nd video card. If I can't get it to work with one card...whats the sense of trying 2 cards.
I read the manual as I didn't have to use the plug unless I was setting the system up for SLI.

I just got the other video card, original plan was for just one.

And yes, I do have the ATX12V cable hooked up.

 

[mechBgon]

Ok, and the single card is in the blue slot?

 

[RealRaver]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Ok, and the single card is in the blue slot?

Yes

 

[mechBgon]

The single stick of RAM is in slot DIMM_B1 and the video card has its PCI-Express power cable hooked up? If it's a PS/2 keyboard (round plug), it's in the purple port, not the green one? (sorry for continued newbie questions)

If that's all good, then I would yank the motherboard out of the case, lay it on cardboard to ensure no possible electrical shorts, confirm the CLRTC jumper is not in the CLEAR position, confirm the PSU is set to the proper input voltage (115 or 230 depending where you live), and try it outside the case on cardboard with just the core stuff. No keyboard, no mouse, no extra cards, no drives.

If it wouldn't work like that, I'd remove the video card and see if I get error beeps. Yes = good. Then put video card back and try running it without RAM to see if I get error beeps. Yes = good. Then the CPU.

 

[RealRaver]

After pulling my motherboard from the case, somehow I inadverdently cocked the CPU while I was tightening down my Ultra-120 HS. I removed the screws to the HS, the CPU and all came out together...

While looking at it, as is...none of the pins look to be bent. Reinstalling the CPU, still attached to the heatsink prolly isn't the best way to go, any ideas how to seperate the two? I used AS5.

 

[RealRaver]

Well, I put it back into the socket CPU/HS and all. Powered it on, just for a test..and that seemed to have fixed all my problems.

Thanks for the help.

 

[drjman]

hmmmm,
I don't like problems that fix themselves. usually means they are on vacation and will be coming back.

 

[imported_Driller]

I've sometimes had luck with the CPU and cooler out, twisting the cpu body LIGHTLY while holding the cooler. Sometimes that breaks the 'vacuum lock' of the thermal grease just enough to separate the two. Be sure the twist is in the plane of the cpu and hold it by its body; do not get close to the pins.

If you get is separated, you can clean and reinstall properly. The lock is usually due to too much grease. Try using one of the patterns of thin lines of grease instead of a single unmeasured blob-- there are plenty of posted photos in this forum.