Computer won't boot

[Narnia]

I recently bought parts for a new computer. I assembled the components and hit the power button and nothing happened. The fans spin up, but other than that, nothing happens. It won't go through post, it won't reach the boot menu, nothing happens. Does anyone know what I should check for first? Thanks


Here's my build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vkxk
I have not yet attached the Graphics card. I have a mouse and keyboard but I haven't attached them yet either. I do not have an optical drive. The motherboard came with a speaker that is used for playing post beep codes.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

I had a similar problem on a self-built computer (though long after I got it running). It would turn on and the fans spun but it didn't boot. I had to pull out the CMOS battery and let the capacitor drain for a few minutes, put it back in and it booted.

I suspect that won't help you though. Good luck

 

[antimuff]

Didn't we just see this question? Anyways, check your memory. In my experience, when a computer doesn't boot it's generally memory.

 

[innonimatu]

Either some very bad critical component (you really only have memory, CPU, motherboard, or power supply to rule out) or (most likely) a short-circuit somewhere. Double-check your mounting of the motherboard on the case.

You may want to try whole thing out of the case. Just put the board with cpu, mem and power supply attached on some non-conductive surface and try to boot it there. Short (briefly) the two leads to the power button to start it.

 

[GoodGame]

I recently bought parts for a new computer. I assembled the components and hit the power button and nothing happened. The fans spin up, but other than that, nothing happens. It won't go through post, it won't reach the boot menu, nothing happens. Does anyone know what I should check for first? Thanks


Here's my build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vkxk
I have not yet attached the Graphics card. I have a mouse and keyboard but I haven't attached them yet either. I do not have an optical drive. The motherboard came with a speaker that is used for playing post beep codes.

Double check your wiring diagram and wiring, especially the power supply connections to the mother board and motherboard connections to the front case panel. I suspect it's something simple like an incomplete power circuit. There are two connections to make: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdPHadzEfzM


Also if you have a power supply checker (about $10, might be available at a big box store), connect only the power supply to it and see if its distributing adequate power.

Dead RAM sticks might also be the problem. Try installing only one stick and booting. Try every RAM stick this way to see if maybe at least one causes the system to boot.

Last thing to try to prove is a bad motherboard/CPU. For the motherboard you might need a special diagnostic card if your motherboard doesn't have one built in. For the CPU, it'd help to have a second mother board to test it in.

Hobbsyoyo's suggestion is plausible too, but that maybe means the BIOS setting/mobo is incompatible with the RAM's speed. Usually the default, 'generic' setting on BIOS will make it easy for RAM and mobo to cooperate, but perhaps removing CMOS battery will reset BIOS and a bad setting speed for the RAM. If that's the case, the RAM should be able to run at a slower MOBO speed, but what if the MOBO is set for RAM specs too fast for your RAM? Double check your RAM and motherboard specs to be sure they are compatible.

 

[Narnia]

Double check your wiring diagram and wiring, especially the power supply connections to the mother board and motherboard connections to the front case panel. I suspect it's something simple like an incomplete power circuit. There are two connections to make: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdPHadzEfzM


Also if you have a power supply checker (about $10, might be available at a big box store), connect only the power supply to it and see if its distributing adequate power.

Dead RAM sticks might also be the problem. Try installing only one stick and booting. Try every RAM stick this way to see if maybe at least one causes the system to boot.

Last thing to try to prove is a bad motherboard/CPU. For the motherboard you might need a special diagnostic card if your motherboard doesn't have one built in. For the CPU, it'd help to have a second mother board to test it in.

Hobbsyoyo's suggestion is plausible too, but that maybe means the BIOS setting/mobo is incompatible with the RAM's speed. Usually the default, 'generic' setting on BIOS will make it easy for RAM and mobo to cooperate, but perhaps removing CMOS battery will reset BIOS and a bad setting speed for the RAM. If that's the case, the RAM should be able to run at a slower MOBO speed, but what if the MOBO is set for RAM specs too fast for your RAM? Double check your RAM and motherboard specs to be sure they are compatible.

Apparently I had a user error: RTFM
Turns out there was a third power connector on my motherboard that I hadn't seen.

 

[classical_hero]

I have asimilar problem that my computer wont boot up, but it is different from the original problem since my computer was working fine until it froze and then when I shut it down, it decided not to properly boot up. All that it does is power up for about 5 seconds and then turns off and restarts the process endlessly, unless you take the plug out of the power. So what do you think is wrong with my computer. Thankfully I have a laptop to use while it is down.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

Again I suggest finding and removing the CMOS battery. Then replace it after 30 minutes or so. Worked for me!

 

[classical_hero]

That didn't work for my machine, which leads me to believe it is a more serious problem.