Fans spin up, not much else

[agroupofletters]

This is my first time building a computer and obviously i've run into some problems.

I have a brand new mobo, cpu (stock intel heatsink and fan), ram, PS and am using a less than 1 year old 8600gt graphics card, and less than 3 month old wd hard drive.

I managed to put everything together in what i thought was the right way but then when i went to power it on the fans spun for about 12 seconds, all the lights on the case lit up, so did the light on my optical drive and i was able to open and close the tray, but then it just shut off, and a few seconds went by then it would do the same thing over and over until i shut off the power supply.

I tried booting the system with the case open, and the cpu fan kind of spun up, then stopped, then spun up again then the system shut down, i'm hoping that's the issue, but i dont know enough to say it definitely is

I' tried removing the cpu and heat sink and when i did that the computer stayed on but i didn't get any output on my monitor. I know it's probably a very stupid question but does a computer still post without a processor? i figured id get some type of bios screen. So now i'm thinking that both my processor and video card are bad. Can anyone with some experience give me some advice?

 

[evongugg]

Is the 4-pin power connector plugged in?
Do not try to post without a processor and heatsink.

New build won't post checklist

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-build-post-checklist

 

[nss000]

It's std. practice to assemble OUTSIDE the case: mobo+cpu+HS/fan + 1-stick ram. *Plugin.* If the fan turns then add vidcard+monitor. *Plugin.* Look for the boot-screen/BIOS. Only if those test thru OKey do you start stuffing the case.

 

[OvrClkr]

Only thing that comes to my mind is that you dont have the 4/8 pin connected from your PSU to the motherboard. Make sure both the 24pin and 4/8 pin are connected.

If this is not the case, then its more likely that you have a dead motherboard.

In order for the pc to post you have to have the cpu and heatsink installed. I doubt the video card is causing the issue unless it is not installed in the correct slot.

 

[evongugg]

What is your power supply?
Sounds like the symptom of a bad power supply.