Computer won't turn on

[MarineCorps]

Yesterday I got a new motherboard, CPU, and RAM, after installing them in my computer I went to turn it on, only thing that happened was the power light on my moniter went on for a couple seconds then went off again. I have spent several hours trying to figure out what is going on here but to no avail. Someone help me.

 

[andvruss]

Assembly mistake?

 

[MarineCorps]

Assembly mistake?

Don't see how. I followed the instructions. Except for the starting switch part. The pins were like this

....
.....

minus the big space between the pairs

And I wasn't sure how the order of numbers went after one.

 

[ainwood]

Follow the motherboard manual carefully re which pins go where. And another oft-overlooked thing is that new motherboards / CPU combos often have a separate 4-pin plug from the powersupply to power the CPU. Without that, you may see exactly the problems you report.

 

[MarineCorps]

Follow the motherboard manual carefully re which pins go where.

the only thing the mnual says is to pu the plug on pins 6 and 8. The only pin that is labeled is #1.

And another oft-overlooked thing is that new motherboards / CPU combos often have a separate 4-pin plug from the powersupply to power the CPU. Without that, you may see exactly the problems you report.

This pin wouldn't happen to be in the shape of a square now would it? Called the ATX1 a +12V Connector for the CPU Vcore power?

 

[ainwood]

the only thing the mnual says is to pu the plug on pins 6 and 8. The only pin that is labeled is #1.

Does it have a picture?

This pin wouldn't happen to be in the shape of a square now would it? Called the ATX1 a +12V Connector for the CPU Vcore power?

Yes. Not all CPU / Motherboards require it, but if you're used to ones that don't and suddenly you try installing one that does, it is easy to overlook.

 

[Comraddict]

what kind of video card you have? is it at least AGP 4x?

 

[Jeratain]

As Ainwood mentioned, make sure you have two power connectors going to the actual motherboard (depending on the processor/mobo combination).

Some video cards also require a connection to the PSU.

Make sure your motherboard is properly grounded to the case. (Have fun with this one if that's your problem.)

Make sure your PSU is adequate. Anything under 300W just doesn't cut it anymore.

If you are getting any beeps immediately when turning on, then your RAM and/or Video card are seating or setup improperly.

Etc.

 

[stormbind]

It could also be a short circuit on the board.

1. Check the motherboard beeper is connected properly, as it is useful in troubleshooting.

If the beeper is connected, but there is no sound...

1. You may have shorted the motherboard - perhaps by not using insulating spacers between the board and the case? Damage may or may not be permanent.

2. You may have inserted the CPU incorrectly. Check it is firmly seated.

There should be beeping regardless of memory or graphics card problems. If the beeper is not properly connected then you have to consider those as suspects aswell.

 

[MarineCorps]

Yes. Not all CPU / Motherboards require it, but if you're used to ones that don't and suddenly you try installing one that does, it is easy to overlook.

Eh, more like my power unit doesn't have that connecter. My old mother board was a different type, as the current one is a Micro ATX. Oh well Heres to hoping the Red Sox win the World series(I get a new case worth up $100 from my father if they win. Of course he doesn't expect them to win )

@Jeratain: Um, my PSU says 110W MAX.

It seems I will be upgrading my POS a little more then expected. Thanks!

 

[stormbind]

110W is awfully outmoded. They go to 450W and beyond now..

Computers don't actually use much power during normal operation, but do drain huge amounts of power under specific conditions. Startup uses a lot of power because the CPU is working hard to digest the system software, the motherboard is chucking alot of data around, and hard drives are all ramping up or seeking data, and other drives are caching aswell... everything running at the same time causes a peak in power demands.

 

[General Joey]

Lack of power

 

[MarineCorps]

Yes like I said, it a POS. The old CPU was a P2 at 400MHZ(My current one is a 2.6GHZ) with only 192MB of RAM(after a small upgrade ealier before only 96MB, my current one will have 256MB). The computer is about 6 years old.

 

[stormbind]

Even a P2 400MHz would normally be paired with a PSU rated between 230W and 350W.

Higher CPU frequencies do not actually affect power drain. One of the most hungry chips of all time is the Athlon 500 which is really slow compared to newer processors.

 

[MarineCorps]

Eh, Oh well, doesn't matter. I get a new case out of this so.

Through which one I haven't decided. :undecided:
Stand alone

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-126-129&depa=1

Case and PSU seperatly

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-163-016&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-126-132&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

 

[ainwood]

Eh, Oh well, doesn't matter. I get a new case out of this so.

Through which one I haven't decided. :undecided:
Stand alone

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-126-129&depa=1

Case and PSU seperatly

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-163-016&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-126-132&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Those power supplies are way underpowered!

Go for something that is a minimum of 350W, probably 450W. Something like an enermax or antec are good, reliable brands.

 

[MarineCorps]

Those power supplies are way underpowered!

Go for something that is a minimum of 350W, probably 450W. Something like an enermax or antec are good, reliable brands.

Theres no 350MW power unit that goes with a micro ATX mother board only a 300MW
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-149-006&depa=1

 

[ainwood]

What sort of motherboard and case do you actually have? The power usage depends on the components you install, so if you have a micro-ATX motherboard in a normal ATX case with lots of peripherals (CD-ROM, graphics card, HDD, FDD, cooling fans etc), then you might want to consider a 'normal' power supply anyway.

 

[Chieftess]

Make sure the memory is compatible (and the same type of memory chip). I had that problem once. Make sure your motherboard isn't fried like I did to it once. (actually, it fried the memory, but I got it replaced for free.). Just don't use metal screws in the center.

 

[MarineCorps]

What sort of motherboard and case do you actually have? The power usage depends on the components you install, so if you have a micro-ATX motherboard in a normal ATX case with lots of peripherals (CD-ROM, graphics card, HDD, FDD, cooling fans etc), then you might want to consider a 'normal' power supply anyway.

My mother board. http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-185-039&depa=1 My case? Now thats a good question. All I know is that the motherboard was not made for it. As I can not get the drive cage to slide in all the way because the CPU is in the way. http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/prodinfoCategory?product=60500&lang=en&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&

@CT: The memory is compatible. I checked to make sure. 184 pin DDR RAM. I wouldn't think the motherboard is fried, since I have gotten a reaction.