Computer won't boot, fans and LEDs turn on, but nothing on display

[maxicano11]

I just custom built a computer to use as a Linux server. When I press the power button all the fans and LEDs turn on, but nothing is showing up on the display.

I know the GPU isn't the problem, I tested it in another computer, and it worked completely fine. I have checked multiple times to see if all the cables are connected properly, and if the RAM, GPU, and CPU were seated properly as well. I also tested the monitor with the same GPU in another computer and it works.

I checked the CPU to see if there were any bent pins, and I noticed that there was a small amount of thermal paste on one of the pins, and I cleaned it off with some 70% isoprpyl alcohol and a q-tip. I'm not sure if the past damaged the CPU in any way, or if the paste is even conductive.

I've tried resetting the CMOS, but that did nothing.

I'm almost certain that the PSU isn't the issue, I tried jumping it and plugged in a case fan, it worked perfectly fine. I tried using another power supply, and I kept having the same problem.

Here's a list of components if it helps at all:
CPU: AMD Athlon 845 3.5 GHz
Motherboard: ASrock FM2A78M-ITX
RAM: ADATA XPG V2 (2 x 8GB) DDR3 2400MHz
HDD: Western Digital AV-GP 320GB 3.5" 5400 RPM
GPU: PowerColor Radeon HD 5450 1GB
Case: Thermaltake Core V1
PSU: EVGA 400 N1

Please let me know if you have any ideas as to what's wrong
Thanks

P.S. I have no way of testing the CPU or motherboard right now.

 

[Paperdoc]

This appears to relate to how you plan to use that PowerColor graphics card.

Your mobo has its own integrated AMD graphics system. It can be used by itself. Or, it can be used in a Dual Graphics mode with an added graphics card. Instructions for using it in Dual Graphics mode are on p. 26 of the mopbo manual. BUT it says this can be done ONLY with a card based on a Radeon Series HD7000 or 8000 chip, and your card does not use that.

So, my suspicion is that you intend NOT to use the on-board (integrated) AMD graphics system and use only your PowerColor card that is installed in a PCIe slot. The mobo manual on p. 53 discusses these details.

Before proceeding, we need to get you able to see messages on your monitor. By default it will expect you to be using the on-board graphics card, which means you must connect your monitor to that output on the mobo's back panel, and NOT to your graphics card. Try that first. IF you can see proper displays that way then you can proceed to adjusting BIOS settings (below). On the other hand, if you still cannot see any monitor display, I suggest you shut down and remove that Powercolor card. (It may have put your system into an odd state trying to used dual Graphics - see below.) Then connect your monitor to the on-board graphics output and boot up.

First I note that, under "Dual Graphics" on p. 53 it says the BIOS is set by default to "Auto" for this, which means that if you install a graphics card in a PCIe slot, the system automatically will try to use the ON-BOARD system as the primary graphics system in a dual Graphics mode, but your card can't do that. So I believe you have to set the item to Disable the Dual Graphics option. Then above that is the item for Primary Graphics Adapter, and your options are either Onboard or PCIExpress. Default is Onboard. Change this to PCIExpress so it will use your Powercolor card. Remember to SAVE and EXIT. Don't wait for it to finish booting - just shut down. IF you had to remove your Powercolor card in order to see anything on your monitor, re-install the card. Connect your monitor to that card. Now boot up and you should be able to see things on that screen.