Problem with my build

[WoolyMarmot]

This is my third build and it went flawless until now. The system shows no sign of power when turned on(no lights, fans, led lights). This is an AMD build and the only present build that I can test on is an intel build so its a bit harder to test every single component. My question is: what should I test first so I can save ample amount of time

Here are the specs:
MSI 890FXA-GD65 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
CORSAIR XMS 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
CORSAIR Professional Series HX650 (CMPSU-650HX) 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Western Digital Scorpio Black WD7500BPKT 750GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive -Bare Drive
COOLER MASTER Storm Enforcer

NOTE: CMOS has been cleared several times. Although I have not checked if the case is grounded(all mobo screws are in tact but honestly I just hope this is the problem...)

 

[Chapbass]

yeah, check case grounding (pull mb out of the case maybe and try it not installed), go down to bare bones (1 stick of ram, proc).

Can you test to ensure the psu is working?

Could be something as stupid as a power switch...try jumping it to power it on.

 

[mfenn]

No signs of life at all usually indicate a short to me. You should definitely pull it out of the case and test it with only the base essentials. Also check to make sure that you've plugged in the ATX and ATX12V power connectors.

 

[WoolyMarmot]

Both of those you mentioned have been plugged. I was told the same thing: to try to start it out of the case but Im not exactly sure how thats done. can you describe to me how(or maybe a video) to do it?

 

[mfenn]

Both of those you mentioned have been plugged. I was told the same thing: to try to start it out of the case but Im not exactly sure how thats done. can you describe to me how(or maybe a video) to do it?

First pull the mobo out of the case and set it on a non-conductive surface.

Then make sure the CPU, HSF, and one DIMM are installed. Your mobo lacks an IGP, so you will need to install a GPU for the system to boot.

Then make sure that the ATX, ATX12V, and PCIe auxiliary power (if necessary for the GPU) are plugged in and the power supply is plugged into the wall (with the switch flipped on).

Then short the two pins that you would normally plug the power switch into with something conductive (screwdriver or whatever). If everything is working properly, the system will boot.

 

[mect]

Probably a good place to start if you have a multimeter is just check that the power supply is providing power.
On the 24 pin connector, short pins 15 and 16 to turn the psu on.
http://www.smps.us/atx-connector-20-24pin.jpeg
Then check the voltages of the other pins relative to ground. If the voltages are close to what they should be, then you know your psu is good and you can check for shorts as others have mentioned.

 

[Chapbass]

First pull the mobo out of the case and set it on a non-conductive surface.

Then make sure the CPU, HSF, and one DIMM are installed. Your mobo lacks an IGP, so you will need to install a GPU for the system to boot.

Then make sure that the ATX (Big Connector), ATX12V (square 2x2 yellow and black connector, usually plugs in by the processor), and PCIe auxiliary power (if necessary for the GPU) (2x3 connector that plugs into the video card)are plugged in and the power supply is plugged into the wall (with the switch flipped on).

Then short the two pins that you would normally plug the power switch into with something conductive (screwdriver or whatever). If everything is working properly, the system will boot.

+1 to what mfenn said. I added the quick notes in bold just for clarification if you aren't sure what hes talking about.

 

[WoolyMarmot]

Probably a good place to start if you have a multimeter is just check that the power supply is providing power.
On the 24 pin connector, short pins 15 and 16 to turn the psu on.
http://www.smps.us/atx-connector-20-24pin.jpeg
Then check the voltages of the other pins relative to ground. If the voltages are close to what they should be, then you know your psu is good and you can check for shorts as others have mentioned.

I don't have a multimeter but I did a quick paper-clip test and it seemed to be working fine. The fans were moving but in a very very low RPM though

 

[WoolyMarmot]

First pull the mobo out of the case and set it on a non-conductive surface.

Then make sure the CPU, HSF, and one DIMM are installed. Your mobo lacks an IGP, so you will need to install a GPU for the system to boot.

Then make sure that the ATX, ATX12V, and PCIe auxiliary power (if necessary for the GPU) are plugged in and the power supply is plugged into the wall (with the switch flipped on).

Then short the two pins that you would normally plug the power switch into with something conductive (screwdriver or whatever). If everything is working properly, the system will boot.

I dont have a wooden table big enough to house my motherboard. Whats an alternative? My house is full of granite tables and carpert:both conductive

 

[lehtv]

Do you not have any antistatic bags like the one the mobo was packaged in originally?

 

[rickon66]

Make triple sure the connectors that go to the front panel on/off switch and reset button are on the right pins.

 

[mfenn]

I dont have a wooden table big enough to house my motherboard. Whats an alternative? My house is full of granite tables and carpert:both conductive

Set the mobo on it's box on the table. The mobo box is definitely big enough to cover the mobo, and the other ancillary parts that you need for a barebones build are either directly attached to the mobo or have their own housings (e.g. the PSU).

 

[WoolyMarmot]

Jesus christ why am I born with mental retardation. I make the silliest mistakes. Kinda like my first build when I forgot to turn the PSU switch on.

It turns out that I just plugged the front panel connectors in the wrong port. I realized this when I had everything taken apart.... now I have to re-manage the cables again

thanks for the help guys!

 

[mfenn]

LOL, well that's why pulling it all apart helps. It forces you to look at every component.