[Build Help] Troubleshooting Assembly: System Restarts, No splash/signal/BIOS

[ascian]

Obligatory build partpicker list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3bRc5

Picture of my horribly cable managed build test (tested with neat cables)
http://i.imgur.com/awgojkv.jpg?1

I've done most, if not all of these steps:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-post-boot-video-problems

Previously I've had problems getting my build to POST with my previous ECS motherboard. RMAing the old one and buying a new ASUS MOBO I assumed I would have better luck. (I had previously replaced all other parts troubleshooting a POST-beep issue). The new one did not come with a MOBO speaker so I could not really troubleshoot too well.

What would happen is it would immediately shutdown/restart on pressing power button. I've got it to a point where it would at least stay on for a couple seconds to some minutes (All fans spinning/LEDs lit), but still eventually restarting. The entire time I am getting no visuals. I only have a VGA and HDMI at hand. I've tried VGA MOBO to monitor, HDMI MoBo to monitor, and HDMI graphics card to monitor. All of these give me no signal.

I've put together and reassembled all these parts (relatively carefully) time and time again. I would breadboard it again but without a speaker it seems useless.

I've no resorted to replacing Power supply; again, for a new one directly from the company. Assuming it always worked or the new one coming in will work and still have problems, what are my options in getting this build to come alive?

Any constructive criticism/thoughts/opinions/suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JimF_35]

I have only ever seen that when installing RAM wrong or setting up the wrong timeing on RAM. I also saw this back in the P4 days when the heatsink was not installed properly and the motherboard temp trips and resets the system. Check your CPU and RAM again and try resetting your BIOS to defaults.

Looking at the picture you only have one RAM stick in. That looks like a Quad Channel RAM mother board and you might need two sticks.

 

[ascian]

I have only ever seen that when installing RAM wrong or setting up the wrong timeing on RAM. I also saw this back in the P4 days when the heatsink was not installed properly and the motherboard temp trips and resets the system. Check your CPU and RAM again and try resetting your BIOS to defaults.

Looking at the picture you only have one RAM stick in. That looks like a Quad Channel RAM mother board and you might need two sticks.

Interestingly enough I've done a small bit of research in the compatibility of RAM of the motherboard, my RAM card is compatible with two of them (as if it'd matter...), but does not specify just the one.

Either way, that motherboard is out of the picture. I've forgotten to update the photo; it's essentially that, but the motherboard is now an ASUS Z87-K. I think some of the thermal compound may have been removed from the amount of times I've switched things around.

Would I still possibly have a similar problem with a new PSU and thermal compound (when the come in a couple of days)?

 

[JimF_35]

Its your RAM. I am pretty sure you need two sticks. You need either 2 or 4 for quad channel RAM.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/printpage/Everything-You-Need-to-Know-About-the-Dual-Triple-and-Quad-Channel-Memory-Architectures/133

Read your manual to see if your motherboard support single channel mode and if so which socket the RAM Stick needs to be in. If it does not then get another RAM module.

I read the manual and your motherboard only supports dual and quad channel. You must have at least 2 sticks...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26E5ONay3Zc

Send your memory back and get 2 x 4GB DDR3 Sticks.

 

[ascian]

I actually wasn't 100% sure that was the issue, I still had problems after getting new RAM cards.

After getting my new PSU (still wasn't sure if last one was broken), applying new/more thermal paste, and reseating everything yet again, it seemed likely there was an inconsistent short (somehow with the case fan setup).

No idea how/why; but when I lifted and physically shook the whole tower, it booted to BIOS fine afterwards.

Either way I found out my hard drive was also DOA, good news is that my graphics card is likely good....

 

[JimF_35]

"No idea how/why; but when I lifted and physically shook the whole tower, it booted to BIOS fine afterwards."

Yikes. That does sound like you had a short. Did a screw come out when your shook it? You might have had a screw under the Motherboard shorting against the case.