No Post No Joy

[imported_mystro]

Greetings all

A very good friend of mine who is visually impaired needed a computer setup for the blind so I volunteered to help with this project even though I have somewhat limited skills I have built
my own system but got very lucky and everything worked perfectly the first time at the first post. Anyway,he's on a very limited budget so I suggested we try and put the system together using remanufactered parts from reputable dealers or even used parts from ebay sellers who have a solid feedback records. Over the last month I have slowly gathered what I thought was potentially an excellent system at terrific prices that I would be happy to own myself..here's the list:

Case: Chemning file server-new
Mobo: Abit IC-7-slightly used
Ram: Samsung pc3700 512 (2x256)-new
CPU: P4 2.8c-new
HSF: Aeroflow 7040-new
Vid card: ATI 9500pro-used
PSU: Fortron 400w-new
HDD: WD 120 sata-reman
OS: XP pro-upgrade

Today I finally recieved the RAM but still needed the PSU but I had a P4 PSU that I took out of my system so we could setup his and check it. Installed everything including my own cd-rw to install the OS. Double checked all connections and turned it on..monitor stayed on standby with black screen,keyboard lights flashed,HDD led lit for a few seconds,mobo led's are both on (one green and one red) but that's as far as it would go after several tries. I cleared the CMOS and retried..no joy. Changed Vid cards to my own Matrox and no joy. Earlier this week when the CPU and HSF arrived I had
a issue installing the HSF..it was quite difficult,I'd read the HSF and Mobo were a tight fit..I had to actually remove a small chip heat sink to get clearance to the spring to lock the HSF down,it took allot of pressure to lock it..again I'd read this happened with this combo but to what extent I do not know and this worries me.

At this stage I'm asking for advise/suggestions from you experienced builders,question..to check the cpu should I leave the system running for a few min and feel for heat? I feel bad for David..he saved some money and labor but I've not delivered anything.

 

[jackschmittusa]

hsf spinning? Plugged into the right header? Hooked any front usb (mis-wiring can cause boot probs)? Try it with 1 stick of ram and no drives connected.

 

[imported_mystro]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
hsf spinning? Plugged into the right header? Hooked any front usb (mis-wiring can cause boot probs)? Try it with 1 stick of ram and no drives connected.

HSF spinning and it's dead cold even after 30 min. I've disconnected everything but the Vid card and moved the ram around and switching it to single piece ..disconnected all plug-ins,fans,firewire,usb etc..still no joy.











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[huesmann]

Sounds like the mobo could be hosed.

Have you tried bench running the thing stripped? The mobo on a table, just the PSU, RAM and video card plugged in (with monitor of course)?

 

[imported_mystro]

Originally posted by: huesmann
Sounds like the mobo could be hosed.

Have you tried bench running the thing stripped? The mobo on a table, just the PSU, RAM and video card plugged in (with monitor of course)?

Good idea,since I've tried 2 video cards (one confirmed working) it's down to mobo or cpu..I'm hoping it's just a dead cpu since it was new and a RMA has a better chance but the mobo was used from ebay..I'm curious if Abit will honor/accept it?











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[jackschmittusa]

12v 4 pin connector plugged in?

 

[imported_mystro]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
12v 4 pin connector plugged in?

Sure is,double checked when you asked. I got a feeling when I pull this mobo and if it still doesn't post,I'll then need pull the cpu and check it out..something was not correct when I installed that HSF I'm feeling..it took too much pressure to lock it down,when I inserted the cpu..as usual it almost fell into position (or did it?) moving the locking arm into position was no effert but now my mind is picturing a cpu that wasn't quite in and I was focing it down on it's pins with the HSF(which will all be flat now)..certainly no RMA for stupidity on my part.











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[huesmann]

Moving the locking arm into position shouldn't require any effort.

 

[imported_mystro]

Originally posted by: huesmann
Moving the locking arm into position shouldn't require any effort.

I didn't have a problem witht the cpu locking arm,it was the spring lock on the HSF that I think may end up being the culprit or my own mistake actually inserting the cpu..I'll pull it when I get home tonight.

 

[imported_Agent]

I honestly think you should just pull it out and put it on a table and try to turn it on. That has saved me more than once.

 

[KGB]

Mystro,

If your HSF is cool to the touch, chances are that you have it incorrectly installed.

 

[imported_mystro]

I suspected this and I'll find out later tonight when I go over and remove the mobo for testing outside the case and then remove the cpu if needed.

I did get some interesting info on testing/checking if the mobo is good..I was told to remove the cpu and only leave in the vid card and ram..then power it up,if the screen starts the bio's for a second or so the mobo is working..has anyone ever tried this testing method..I hope I get results.

 

[imported_mystro]

I had joy tonight finally,I took the board out and pulled the cpu..re-thermaled greased it and carefully
reinstalled it and it booted,I did noticed one standoff that wasn't correct and this may have been the problem...strange how the little things can cause so much frustration and burn up so much time. Thanks to everyone for offering ideas and suggestions..they all contributed to getting to the bottom of this problem.

Mystro buys everyone a danish tuborg beer..a personal favorate.

 

[huesmann]

Where's mine??? :beer: