New system will not post... help!

[mothballd]

I'm building up a new system based on a P4C800-E Deluxe MB with a P4EE 3.2ghz. I have a Xtasy ATI 9600XT 256mb video card, 1 gb of RAM, (2 512 mb Corsair PROC2 XMS memory) 480watt Antec smartblue psu, and a Seagate 160gb SATA hard drive. Plus various PCI and IDE devices.

The problem that I'm having is that the machine will not POST, or anything else for that matter. When I turn on the power, system powers up, monitor powers up, monitor displays black screen for 2-3 seconds, monitor then displays very dark blue screen for 2-3 seconds, and then black screen again... so on and so on. system gives no audio indicators on any of 3 different speakers I've tried. (including headphones) I've tried everything from disconnecting everything except the 20 pin and 4 pin power connectors, video card, CPU with HSF, and RAM. I've pulled out both sticks of RAM just to see if system would beep. (it didn't, but it did lock up and I had to unplug the PSU from the wall to reset) System will shut off if the power switch is pushed, but the reset switch does nothing. System will also reboot on CTRL-ALT-DEL. I've tried removing the MB from the cases MB tray (case is Antec P160, btw) and powering it up outside of the case. I've triple-checked all jumper settings and cleared the CMOS. I also tried clearing the RTC RAM. I've disconnected every connector from the MB except for the power pins (including disconnecting the USB and firewire connectors for the front panel of the case) but nothing has worked. I'm pretty sure that I've got a bad MB, but I don't have additional video cards/ram to confirm with. the only odd detail about the case that might affect anything is that it doesn't include a 4pin speaker cable and the PWR indicator plug has only 2 pins, not 3-1.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Crashman]

You need to find a geek. Someone with spare parts. Someone to test the card in another system, and test their card on your board.

You could try connecting some speakers to the center audio connection and cranking them up all the way to see if you get an audio message about what's wrong with the system.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[o1die]

You said the reset button doesn't work. I would check the wiring on the front bezel of the case. I once had a loose bracket that held the reset button and indicator lights. My board wouldn't post until I tightened the bracket down. It was grounding against something in the front. It's also possible that the motherboard won't post with your video card. I've seen alot of compatability problems posted lately with video cards. You might also try moving your power led lead if your indicator light doesn't work on the front of the case. I forced out one of the wires on my power led lead (3 pin setup), and moved it next to the other one so it would work with a 2 pin configuration.

 

[cookjei]

I'm having the same problem and its driving me crazy. Well at least you get a dark blue screen, I don't even get that. And I'm using the same model motherboard. I think I may need more powerful PSU b/c I have 7 lighted fans and the CPU fan also requires a molex connection (its a coolermaster jet fan/heatsink). Whats the wattage rating of your PSU b/c mine is set at 400W and its crappy. It could be your pwr supply.

<font color=red>Urban Geek </font color=red>

 

[mothballd]

Hmm, well I know its not my PSU- i've only got 3 fans and 2 ide optical drives on a 480watt psu. I've tried unplugging all of these as well and no goose. I'll take apart the front bezel tonight and see if I can't figure out whats up with the reset switch.

And if that doesn't work, I'll have to take crashman up on his suggestion and go hunting for my local geek club 😉

Hadn't even thought about modifying the MB connectors for the pwr led light. Duh hehe, thanks for pointing that out to my addled head 😉

Thanks for the help, let ya all know how it goes this afternoon.

 

[mothballd]

well, having spent a small fortune and most of my sanity, I now know what the problem was/is. And to be honest, I feel a little dumb for not doing my research better. I took the computer down to the shop I purchased the MB at; PC Club; and had them look at it. They plugged it in, hooked it up to a monitor, and bam its gold. (fast too, I'm proud to say hehe)

So, feeling dumb I take it home with my tail between my legs and look up the website for the monitor I have. (a 23" apple cinema display) and there it is in the support section- (right after a notice to let the monitor warm up for a few minutes to an hour for the first use) only the 17" and 22" cinema displays are compatible with the newer ATI video cards. doh doh doh. Shoulda done my homework. So I'll take the monitor.. the *sob* beautiful monitor back tomorrow *sob* and see if I can't hunt down a 22" or 17" one. Yes, that extra inch is really that important... 😉

So anywho, the lesson of the day is- don't be like me! do your homework! 😉

Thanks for the help guys, and hopefully this will help someone else out to.
-Andrew

 

[Ned_Flanders]

OR beat up the class swot. Hake his dinner money and homework and just copy it. That was i did.

I am a small fat ginger kid and I lob cow pats at old people, please be my friend