Replaced ram on new system and no dice still... Nothing displayed

[DiStUrBeDAzN]

I've been trying this computer since Late February. Yeah, I know, its been awhile... Back in February I was led to believe it was the Memory causing problems, so I finally got new memory about 1 month ago and finally had time to put it in today and still I have no screen.

I am using:
ECS NForceE4M-A
AMD 4600+ AM2
ATI X1600Pro

HP Promo 1gb PC2-5300

and

Kingston 1gb DDR677

Neither of the ram seem to have fix my problem.

The computer turns on, but nothing is displayed. The video card has been tested working in a relatives computer. What could be the problem here? I've checked and double checked all the connections and this is definitely not my first time building a computer.

 

[btcomm1]

Well could be a couple of things.

1. Could be the ram that you have there requires more voltage then what your motherboard gives out at default, I've heard of this problem, you have to get ram that will boot at lower voltages and then up the voltage in the bios.

2. You might need to reset your cmos, so if you haven't tried that I would do that.

3 It could be that your motherboard is shorting out on your case, try placing the motherboard on a cardboard box with the ram, video and CPU and of course connect the power and see if you get video.

4 It could be that your motherboard is just plain bad.

5. I would say this is less likely but it could be your power supply is bad.

6. I would say this is even more unlikely but it could be your CPU is bad.

 

[imported_Baloo]

That video card has two outputs? Did you try both? Your monitor may be different from your friends - you've not mentioned the type of either. YOu may need to review the bios setting, try resetting to optimized defaults if you have not already, and if you have, try changing to the safe defaults.

The kingston memory is 1.8v which is the standard, so it's voltage is not the issue. the HP memory probably is as well.

What kind of drive are you using. Double check the are connected correctly.

 

[DiStUrBeDAzN]

Well, this is a FRESH computer. It has never touched a Windows CD yet.

Shorting seems very rare, but I will give that a shot if I can't find any answers by tomorrow.

How do I reset the CMOS without seeing a screen? Take out the battery? I dont see the need to reset that if it has never been changed...

Also, I have tried both outputs, DVI and VGA, however via DVI I used a DVI to VGA converter seeing as my monitor doesn't have a DVI input.

The hard drive? It is a Seagate Drive, it should be fine.

 

[imported_Baloo]

You can reset the cmos settings with the jumper, or remove the battery.

Do this if you have not already, remove the MB from the case, set it on something non conductive - some use cardboard. Connect the essentials only, video, cpu, HD, Ram, and see if you can get it to work that way - short the pins for the power switch with a screwdriver to power it on. It's possible you have a bad MB.

 

[DiStUrBeDAzN]

What do you mean by...

"short the pins for the power switch with a screwdriver to power it on"

 

[imported_Baloo]

The two pins that you plug the connector for the power switch to. Use a screw driver to momentarly contact both pins at the same time. that will turn it on.

 

[Nocturnal]

Reset the CMOS, re-seat the processor and make sure you remove and insert the memory sticks firmly. Sometimes I have to re-seat the sticks several times before it actually takes.

 

[jjzelinski]

Originally posted by: DiStUrBeDAzN
What do you mean by...

"short the pins for the power switch with a screwdriver to power it on"

Oh christ, PLEASE don't do that. Find the manual and look for the part that talks about the CMOS jumper. It's a 2 pin jumper sitting on a 3 pin post, just shift it one over from where it is. This will remove the battery from the circuit keeping the registers in the CMOS in their "memorized" state, meaning it will clear the settings in your BIOS. After about 15 seconds (more wouldn't hurt, it's to allow for complete discharge of the registers of the CMOS) place the jumper back on it's original pins.

Actually, this makes me think... try booting the machine with the jumper in the alternate position. It's possible that you or someone else may have tried to clear the CMOS and forgot to move the jumper back. Some motherboards will actually work with the CMOS jumper in the clear position but won't retain BIOS data when turned off. SOme motherboards, however, won't boot at all and will simply spin some of the fans up and maybe a device or two.

 

[imported_Baloo]

Originally posted by: jjzelinski

Originally posted by: DiStUrBeDAzN
What do you mean by...

"short the pins for the power switch with a screwdriver to power it on"

Oh christ, PLEASE don't do that. Find the manual and look for the part that talks about the CMOS jumper. It's a 2 pin jumper sitting on a 3 pin post, just shift it one over from where it is. This will remove the battery from the circuit keeping the registers in the CMOS in their "memorized" state, meaning it will clear the settings in your BIOS. After about 15 seconds (more wouldn't hurt, it's to allow for complete discharge of the registers of the CMOS) place the jumper back on it's original pins.

Actually, this makes me think... try booting the machine with the jumper in the alternate position. It's possible that you or someone else may have tried to clear the CMOS and forgot to move the jumper back. Some motherboards will actually work with the CMOS jumper in the clear position but won't retain BIOS data when turned off. SOme motherboards, however, won't boot at all and will simply spin some of the fans up and maybe a device or two.

The purpose of shorting the pins was to power it on outside of the case with , not to reset the cmos.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: Baloo

Originally posted by: jjzelinski

Originally posted by: DiStUrBeDAzN
What do you mean by...

"short the pins for the power switch with a screwdriver to power it on"

Oh christ, PLEASE don't do that. Find the manual and look for the part that talks about the CMOS jumper. It's a 2 pin jumper sitting on a 3 pin post, just shift it one over from where it is. This will remove the battery from the circuit keeping the registers in the CMOS in their "memorized" state, meaning it will clear the settings in your BIOS. After about 15 seconds (more wouldn't hurt, it's to allow for complete discharge of the registers of the CMOS) place the jumper back on it's original pins.

Actually, this makes me think... try booting the machine with the jumper in the alternate position. It's possible that you or someone else may have tried to clear the CMOS and forgot to move the jumper back. Some motherboards will actually work with the CMOS jumper in the clear position but won't retain BIOS data when turned off. SOme motherboards, however, won't boot at all and will simply spin some of the fans up and maybe a device or two.

The purpose of shorting the pins was to power it on outside of the case with , not to reset the cmos.

Correct and, it should be noted for DiStUrBeDAzN that, there is NO danger in shorting the pins with a screwdriver as there is no direct conection between power and MB through the switch.

 

[jjzelinski]

Originally posted by: Baloo

Originally posted by: jjzelinski

Originally posted by: DiStUrBeDAzN
What do you mean by...

"short the pins for the power switch with a screwdriver to power it on"

Oh christ, PLEASE don't do that. Find the manual and look for the part that talks about the CMOS jumper. It's a 2 pin jumper sitting on a 3 pin post, just shift it one over from where it is. This will remove the battery from the circuit keeping the registers in the CMOS in their "memorized" state, meaning it will clear the settings in your BIOS. After about 15 seconds (more wouldn't hurt, it's to allow for complete discharge of the registers of the CMOS) place the jumper back on it's original pins.

Actually, this makes me think... try booting the machine with the jumper in the alternate position. It's possible that you or someone else may have tried to clear the CMOS and forgot to move the jumper back. Some motherboards will actually work with the CMOS jumper in the clear position but won't retain BIOS data when turned off. SOme motherboards, however, won't boot at all and will simply spin some of the fans up and maybe a device or two.

The purpose of shorting the pins was to power it on outside of the case with , not to reset the cmos.

I understand now. I didn't mean to come across like I was criticizing your recommendation. I'm honestly worried that he might damage something even further if he doesn't realize what he's trying to do or doesn't do it correctly. This was after I read another thread about a guy who tossed the 4pin portion of his ATX plug into the 12V CPU plug. Magic smoke and sparkles there sadly, didn't want ot read about a repeat

 

[DiStUrBeDAzN]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer

Originally posted by: Baloo

Originally posted by: jjzelinski

Originally posted by: DiStUrBeDAzN
What do you mean by...

"short the pins for the power switch with a screwdriver to power it on"

Oh christ, PLEASE don't do that. Find the manual and look for the part that talks about the CMOS jumper. It's a 2 pin jumper sitting on a 3 pin post, just shift it one over from where it is. This will remove the battery from the circuit keeping the registers in the CMOS in their "memorized" state, meaning it will clear the settings in your BIOS. After about 15 seconds (more wouldn't hurt, it's to allow for complete discharge of the registers of the CMOS) place the jumper back on it's original pins.

Actually, this makes me think... try booting the machine with the jumper in the alternate position. It's possible that you or someone else may have tried to clear the CMOS and forgot to move the jumper back. Some motherboards will actually work with the CMOS jumper in the clear position but won't retain BIOS data when turned off. SOme motherboards, however, won't boot at all and will simply spin some of the fans up and maybe a device or two.

The purpose of shorting the pins was to power it on outside of the case with , not to reset the cmos.

Correct and, it should be noted for DiStUrBeDAzN that, there is NO danger in shorting the pins with a screwdriver as there is no direct conection between power and MB through the switch.

When you say the connection, you mean the plub that goes into the outlet right?

Also, if this doesn't work, I am looking to order a new motherboard. Any recommendations? This is getting ridiculous.