Recycled system. CPU fan spins, no POST/Video

Nishrek

Prominent
Mar 20, 2017
10
0
510
After turning PC fans are spinning [HDD is also powered so PSU should be OK], but no POST signal, nor a video output.
System is old, and recycled

Specs
MB: Foxconn 661m03-g-6e Manual
CPU: Pentium 4 1,7 Ghz
PSU and RAM are OEMs
PSU: Maxpower PX 300W
RAM: Spectek DDR PC3200

1. Did you carefully read the motherboard owners manual?
Yes
2. Did you plug in the 4/8-pin CPU power connector located near the CPU socket?
Yes
3. Did you install the standoffs under the motherboard?
MB is on the wooden table
4. Did you verify that the video card is fully seated?
Using IGP
5. Did you attach all the required power connector(s) to the video card?
N/A
6. Have you tried booting with just one stick of RAM installed?
Yes, with no ram sticks, and with one (two times, swapping slots)
7. Did you verify that all memory modules are fully inserted?
Yes
8. Did you verify in the owners manual that you're using the correct RAM slots?
I checked all slots, one at a time
9. Did you remove the plastic guard over the CPU socket?
Yes
10. Did you install the CPU correctly?
Yes
11. Are there any bent pins on the motherboard/CPU? This especially applies if you tried to install the CPU with the plastic cover on or with the CPU facing the wrong direction.
No
12. If using an after market CPU cooler, did you get any thermal paste on the motherboard, CPU socket, or CPU pins?
Paste is only on the heat sink
13. Is the CPU fan plugged in?
Yes
14. If using a stock cooler, was the thermal material on the base of the cooler free of foreign material, and did you remove any protective covering?
CPU fan is working
15. Are any loose screws laying on the motherboard, or jammed against it?
No, stuff is breadboarded
16. Did you ensure you discharged all static electricity before touching any of your components?
I think so
17. Did you install the system speaker (if provided) so you can check beep-codes in the manual?
MB has internal speaker, and does not have pins yo connect external one 🙁
18. Did you read the instructions in the manual on how to properly connect the front panel plugs?
Using only screwdriver o short power pins, nothing is plugged on the FP
19. Did you turn on the power supply switch located on the back of the PSU?
Yes
20. Is your CPU supported by the BIOS revision installed on your motherboard? Most motherboards will post a CPU compatibility list on their website.
CPU is listed as supported in the MB manual
21. Have you tried resetting the CMOS? The motherboard manual will have instructions for your particular board.
Yes
22. If you have integrated video and a video card, try the integrated video port. Resetting the bios, can make it default back to the onboard video.
Using the IGP port now
23. Make certain all cables and components including RAM and expansion cards are tight within their sockets.
I want to POST only, so now there is only PSU/CPU/HS

I've found a crappy multimeter (one with a dial), and checked PSU's voltage. Because it is a dial type, so readings are not 100% precise, but it looks that voltage is ok
I even checked VGA slot on MB, and there is some current
Screen and cable are good (checked with my laptop)

So I have no idea what is going on...

 
Solution
Hello... Now with the "New battery"... do a proper CMOS clear/reset.

Take your time here and be slow and careful to your MB... look in your MB manual/Pdf for pictures and location of the pins. B )

1) un-plug PS from wall.
2) remove MB battery
3) place jumper pins on MB to clear the capacitors... for ~2 min
4) remove Jumper.
5) re-install battery

Look in your manual for the correct RAM slots you want to use/test for "Dual channel" OR "single channel" operation with this MB.

6) re-move and re-seat your RAM stick(s) into the MB slots.
7) plug monitor into the MB video output OR Video card for a BOOT display, And set your monitor for that cable input.
8) plug in PS to wall
9) Boot computer.

The BIO's will inspect your...

Because there are no more specs.
I have no drives connected, the only GPU is integrated on the board.
The fan is the stock
If it is very relevant, I can post PSU/RAM chips specs later.
Screen is standard CRT with VGA and is working fine

If on such basic config I can't get even POST, then there is no point in connecting anything more [this is even advised in breadboarding thread]

EDIT:
PSU and RAM are OEMs
PSU: Maxpower PX 300W
RAM: Spectek DDR PC3200

Updated main post also
 

Hmm. No, I have not tried this yet. I will check it
Voltage is supposed to be 3V, right?
Are CMOS batteries standardized, or vendor specific?
 
Hello... Now with the "New battery"... do a proper CMOS clear/reset.

Take your time here and be slow and careful to your MB... look in your MB manual/Pdf for pictures and location of the pins. B )

1) un-plug PS from wall.
2) remove MB battery
3) place jumper pins on MB to clear the capacitors... for ~2 min
4) remove Jumper.
5) re-install battery

Look in your manual for the correct RAM slots you want to use/test for "Dual channel" OR "single channel" operation with this MB.

6) re-move and re-seat your RAM stick(s) into the MB slots.
7) plug monitor into the MB video output OR Video card for a BOOT display, And set your monitor for that cable input.
8) plug in PS to wall
9) Boot computer.

The BIO's will inspect your installed hardware and create new CMOS information and hopefully complete a "good boot" B /

* "I recommend these two steps be done when "re-commissioning" Old equipment back into current use. (battery and Reset/Clear)
 
Solution