Quick! System won't do a POST!

[MVasigh]

What are some common mistakes and overlookings of a first time builder?

My system won't do a POST. Monitor just keeps acting like it's in standby. Fans and everything work, but NO POST!

 

[SlitheryDee]

Check video card seating.
Try RAM in all slots/try each stick separately.
Reset CMOS/verify that jumper is in correct position.
Check for misplaced risers/screws behind mb.
Consult mb manual and manufacturers website to verify all hardware compatibilities.

 

[BW86]

did you put in the cpu backwards? 😛

 

[MVasigh]

=P I'm not that stupid.

I know everything is compatible. I know the standoffs are good. I DON'T know how to reset CMOS. I'll try Vid Card seating and RAM now.

 

[agnitrate]

Do you get any beeps at all?

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: MVasigh
=P I'm not that stupid.

I know everything is compatible. I know the standoffs are good. I DON'T know how to reset CMOS. I'll try Vid Card seating and RAM now.

The cmos jumper should be identified in the mb manual.

 

[MVasigh]

I get NO beeps. GameFAQs people say that it probably POSTed if I don't get beeps, so I'm thinking it's a video problem

 

[MVasigh]

I'm thinking maybe the little SLi and Single GPU switcher card isn't in all the way. It barely goes into the slot. Or it may be some cables here and there.

 

[MVasigh]

Bump

 

[LeiZaK]

You can also reset the CMOS by taking out the battery for about 5 minutes.

also, make sure your heat sink is not installed backwards

 

[mechBgon]

Here is my list, the first link on this page: http://www.omnicast.net/~tmcfadden/index.html

If you still aren't getting anywhere, please post your full system specs including brand & model of power supply. If you want to be thorough, here's a sample, you could hit Quote, delete my stuff out of it and fill in your own:

• CORE HARDWARE
  • Power supply Antec TruePower 430
  • Motherboard Asus K8N-E Deluxe
    • Revision 1.03
    • BIOS 1005
  • CPU Athlon64 3000+
    • Core 130nm Clawhammer
  • Memory (2) 512MB Corsair XMS 3200C2 modules
    • Voltage Manually set to 2.7 volts
    • Timings AUTO, results in 2-3-2-6 @ 200MHz
• CARDS
  • Primary video card ATI Radeon 9800Pro AGP 8x
  • Secondary video card N/A (not SLI)
  • PCI slot #1 (top) empty
  • PCI slot #2 empty
  • PCI slot #3 LeadTek Winfast TV/FM tuner card
  • PCI slot #4 Creative Audigy 2 ZS
  • PCI slot #5 LSI Logic Ultra160 SCSI
  • PCI slot #6 (board only has five PCI slots)
• DRIVES
  • Boot drive 160GB Seagate 7200.7
    • Interface Serial ATA
    • Controller hosting this drive nForce3 SATA controller
    • Jumper setting not applicable (SATA)
  • Additional hard drive 40GB Seagate 7200.7
    • Interface Parallel ATA
    • Controller hosting this drive nForce3 standard ATA controller, primary channel
    • Jumper setting Master
  • Additional hard drive 18GB Seagate Cheetah 15k.3
    • Interface SCSI
    • Controller hosting this drive LSI Logic U160 card
    • Jumper setting SCSI ID 01
  • Optical drive #1 NEC 3500A DVD burner
    • Interface Parallel ATA
    • Controller hosting this drive nForce3 standard ATA controller, secondary channel
    • Jumper setting Master
  • Optical drive #2 Lite-On combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW
    • Interface Parallel ATA
    • Controller hosting this drive nForce3 standard ATA controller, secondary channel
    • Jumper setting Slave
• OS AND SECURITY
  • Operating System WindowsXP Professional
  • Service Pack SP2
  • Internet connection Cable
  • Hardware firewall Netgear RP614 router
  • Software firewall WindowsXP firewall
  • Antivirus Norton Antivirus 2004

 

[Continuity27]

The SLI PCB card should not make it so that you don't see an image no matter how it's inserted.

Normally, and this is true for most motherboards using an SLI PCB switch card, if the card is non-existant or not inserted properly, you'll get x16, if its inserted correctly, you'll see x8+x8. I haven't really noticed it not POSTing at all when it's out or not completely inserted yet.

 

[NatePo717]

Yeah try pulling the CMOS jumper and the battery. The CMOS is generally located somewhere near the battery. I've had my computer fail to post before and pulling the jumper worked for me.

 

[Continuity27]

Make sure you keep the CMOS jumper off for at least half a minute.

 

[cryptonomicon]

Originally posted by: MVasigh
What are some common mistakes and overlookings of a first time builder?

My system won't do a POST. Monitor just keeps acting like it's in standby. Fans and everything work, but NO POST!

hmm..


imho the #1 cause of the no-boot is forgetting to plug in the +12v 4pin power plug