no BIOS, just fans

[velocat]

While trying to install a second hard drive, I seem to have damaged something. I could use some help with figuring out what exactly I damaged. I have gone through the list of things to try mentioned on this page without any luck.

What I've done so far:
1) disconnected all drives and tried booting with just the motherboard.
Result: Fan comes on, light on motherboard comes on, but the monitor receives no signal. No beeps. After turning on, it shuts down immediately, then reboots itself.

2) disconnected videocard and tried booting with onboard graphics instead.
Result: Same as before.

3) connected one hard drive, and tried starting.
Result: Same as before.

4) Disconnected EVERYTHING except for power supply, and a single ram.
Result: Same as before

5) With everything disconnected, tried shorting with a screwdriver to power on.
Result: Same as before


My monitor is fine, and my power supply is fine. What could be wrong? Any other tests I should try?

 

[NBSN]

Is this a new build or existing build? If existing build then:

Clear the CMOS and see what happens and then replace the CMOS battery and that should work (at least it at worked in most cases I have seen with the issues). At least it is an easy and cheap potential fix and will help rule out some stuff.

 

[velocat]

Is this a new build or existing build? If existing build then:

Clear the CMOS and see what happens and then replace the CMOS battery and that should work (at least it at worked in most cases I have seen with the issues). At least it is an easy and cheap potential fix and will help rule out some stuff.

Okay.
I cleared the CMOS by removing the battery for 15 minutes, then putting it back in. This brought up something on my monitor asking me to insert a drive and reboot.
I then plugged all my drives, videocard, and power cables back in. Now, after pushing the power button, it powers up for a half second, then shuts back down.

Will buying another battery possibly fix this?

Thank you.

 

[NBSN]

Yes, buying a new battery typically fixes that. The reason why I mentioned clearing the CMOS first like that was to help determine if it was the CMOS battery. It really appears to be the issue, so once you get a chance to pick one up from Walmart or wherever near you has one, then replace it and see it it fixes your issue.

It is one of the cheapest fixes for what seems to be your issues and if does not work then we will be able to rule out CMOS. Every other case I have seen with your exact issues has been fixed from replacing the CMOS battery though, so hoping that trend continues. Thankfully the battery for replacing it is just a few dollars.

 

[velocat]

Yes, buying a new battery typically fixes that. The reason why I mentioned clearing the CMOS first like that was to help determine if it was the CMOS battery. It really appears to be the issue, so once you get a chance to pick one up from Walmart or wherever near you has one, then replace it and see it it fixes your issue.

It is one of the cheapest fixes for what seems to be your issues and if does not work then we will be able to rule out CMOS. Every other case I have seen with your exact issues has been fixed from replacing the CMOS battery though, so hoping that trend continues. Thankfully the battery for replacing it is just a few dollars.

I just installed a new battery. Sadly, it did not fix it. It still shuts off immediately after pushing the power button.

 

[NBSN]

That typically fixes it...sorry it did not work out. Although it is unknown if that was contributing to the issue or not, at least it rules out quite a few possibilities.

Is this a new build or an existing one? Did anything happen recently before you started having the issue?

What are the complete system specs?

 

[velocat]

That typically fixes it...sorry it did not work out. Although it is unknown if that was contributing to the issue or not, at least it rules out quite a few possibilities.

Is this a new build or an existing one? Did anything happen recently before you started having the issue?

What are the complete system specs?

This is an existing one. It was working fine for several years until I tried installing a second hard drive, then this started happening. Maybe I didn't ground myself, I don't know... Yesterday morning I had a computer that worked. Now I don't.

Motherboard = Asus CM5571
Intel pentium (i don't know how to tell which one, I don't have a screwdriver the right size to remove the cooler)
6 gigs of ram
1 tb seagate hd
Antec 650W power supply

I also have a video card and a dvdrw, but I have been trying this without them plugged in, and without any luck

 

[NBSN]

What is the GPU?

 

[NBSN]

Even with a power hungry GPU, the PSU should still have been fine. Did you try starting up the computer without the new hard drive?

Was the second hard drive a brand new/ factory sealed one?

 

[velocat]

my gpu is winbond w83627dhg-a

I've tried starting the computer without any hard drive at all, as well as with only my original old one. The secondary hard drive was a used one that I know nothing about. For the mean time, I am not plugging it in.

 

[NBSN]

It honestly makes me think the second hard drive may have damaged the system. (well, it prob did).

Take a look at this old thread:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/289077-32-could-faulty-hard-drive-damaged-motherboard

The first thing that they mentioned in this one was also CMOS stuff, and then back to PSU and other stuff.

Is there a place that can test everything or do you have the equipment to test the diodes and stuff?

 

[velocat]

I don't have the equipment to work on it myself. The cost of paying someone to work on it is probably comparable to the cost of just buying a new one. A bit depressing, but I don't know what else to do.

Thank you very much for your help.

 

[NBSN]

Do you have another computer or know someone that does so you can try using a different PSU to rule it out?

 

[velocat]

i guess i could ask someone. might be some spares lying around at work. Is it really possible that it could be the PSU? can the hard drive damage the psu? The PSU worked perfectly, then i turned it off so i could install the secondary hard drive, then immediately had these problems.

 

[NBSN]

Any component could possibly damage something else I would think. The chances are just really small in most cases...but I don't know what someone could have done to the hard drive since it was used. One of the reasons I don't like used electronics, or anything really for that matter.

It could just be one of the connections or something for the PSU, but if you can check another PSU with your system the way you already checked the one you have installed now, it should at least allow that component to be ruled out as an issue and is free to check.

After checking that, then you can go from there. I am just really hoping that it is not the CPU or Motherboard at this rate.

 

[velocat]

I attempted the paperclip method as explained here http://www.wikihow.com/Check-a-Power-Supply
The psu fan comes on.

If I plug in the motherboard, then the motherboard fan will also come on (as long as I have it plugged it plugged into the motherboard).

However, If I plug the power cord into the ATX12V, then it shuts down as soon as I turn it on.

All of this was done with only one ram installed, and all devices and drives disconnected.

 

[NBSN]

I personally don't put much stock in the paperclip test since it may work better or not good on different PSUs.