Newly built computer wont boot up

[xtremejack]

I assembled a new computer based off the following specs

Intel Core2 Duo E6600
Gigabyte P35
G-skill DDR2 800 2GB
eVGA Geforce 8800 GTS 320MB
Corsair HP620 PSU
Tuniq 120 Heatsink
LIteON DVD drive
Western Digital HDD 500G SATA
Ares Raidmax Mid-tower ATX

When I put the system together and powered on, all the fans (1CPU, 1system, 1 GPU, 1 PSU) started working. But there were no BIOS or messages being displayed on my CRT. Also my new DVD-ROM drive wouldnt function, when I pressed the eject button while the system was running.

Do you know any easy way by which I can isolate the issue here? Thanks.

 

[Noema]

Is the 12V ATX CPU cable plugged in? I know I have missed that on occassion. Likewise, triple check all connections.


Is the motherboard properly placed? Are right screws and stand-offs being used only in the holes indicated in the motherboard's manual?

If yes, try reseating each and every component: CPU, Video Card, RAM. Then try to fire her up with just those components installed. Try only one Stick of RAM at a time, in all possible combinations with every slot.

If that doesn't work, remove the motherboard from the case and place it on the carboard box (or the antistatic bag) it came in. Install only the essential components mentioned
above. This is to verify that the motherboard isn't being shorted somehow by one of the stand-offs.

No go? Then it might be a PSU issue. Try plugging your PSU on a computer you know works to check it's not DOA.

If all this fails, you might be looking at a DOA part (or parts!) and it's RMA time. If you know someone with a C2D compatible mobo, they might help by letting you try your parts on their mobo
and see if they work, to more easily isolate what is FUBAR.

Good luck.

 

[myocardia]

Great post, Noema, except that antistatic bags are conductive. Either lay the motherboard on cardboard, or plastic, or even just a wooden or plastic table, but not the metallic antistatic bag that the motherboard came in.

 

[MarcVenice]

what about resetting the cmos and flipping the battery out/in ? I've heard that people had to do that to get the mobo working.

 

[xtremejack]

Is the 12V ATX CPU cable plugged in? I know I have missed that on occassion.

Bingo! That did the trick!!! Thanks a lot. Didnt have to do that on my last PC which was a AthlonXP 2500+ which I built in 2003. A lot changes in 4 years