I'm attempting to build a pc this weekend - and it's becoming a frustrating experience!

I have everything connected properly (so I think) and when I turn the power supply on to boot it up, nothing happens.

If I have everything disconnected, it seems there's not juice going through the p.s.

Is it possible I have a p.s. that's DOA?

Re: PC Build - Help!

Easiest way to find out if it?s the power supply unit is to try it with another (working) PC if you have one.....

Here are two guides for power source diagnostics and general power source information:

[url]http://www.fonerbooks.com/power.htm[/url] [url]http://www.quepublishing.com/articles/article.asp?p=31105&seqNum=4[/url]

It's easy to check if the p.s. works, just create a connection between pin 4 and pin 14 (there are 5 volts going through here but be careful anyways, using a cable with bioth ends 'shaved' is a good option) that should make the p.s. get started, you'll notice the fan spinning.

[img]http://www.quepublishing.com/content/images/chap3_078972927X/elementLinks/03fig08.jpg[/img]

You should have a similar diagram on your p.s. check for the PS_ON pins, 4 and 14.

you can also try another power outlet ... it sometimes makes a difference.

as tom stated try another computer if you got one ... simply have the memory, cpu, video card and motherboard intact. go ahead and add the other devices when you get a boot up screen. until ... keep it simple.

Re: PC Build - Help!

I took the pc into a local shop and they tested the p.s. and it's ok....

i noticed he messed around with the pins and got power to move the fans within the unit, however, he said one he tried to get video, it pissed out.

of course, he wouldn't tell me more bc they wanted to charge me to go forward with it....

bas-terds! :evil:

any ideas?

I think i f'kd up the pin(s)...the power switch

is this all "new" stuff? if it is .. go get an exchange and try it again.

if he got power ... it could be just your video is f'd. you have an older video card you could try?

Re: PC Build - Help!

yeah, it's all new stuff... I bought a cheap mx400 card, since it's not a gaming system.

should it boot up without a vid card?

if so, my pin settings are f'kd. I don't know how to assign them. I have the map, but it doesn't tell much.

It should boot up with no problems... that's why there are beeps on the power up sequence, so you know it's booting up properly (or not) when you have no video.

Try booting up woth no cards plugged in the board again, because there's no direct relation between the power source and the video. The p.s. gives power to the board, and the board communicates with the video card. Again, it should boot up, and you should see the processor fan blowing, and hear the beeps and everything with nothing but the p.s. the board and the processor, you shouldn''t need anythjing else for the pc to start.

silly debug error.

Re: PC Build - Help!

ok, i'm having some progress here. The pc fan will blow for about 15 seconds with/without the video card.

I reset the CMOS, so now some things are coming to life.

But after 15 seconds, it shuts down.

what the hell is going on here??

you on a power supply?

Re: PC Build - Help!

yeah, the power supply on the case is good. After I reset the cmos and f'kd with pin settings, things came to life.

but when I attempt to boot up, it only lives for 15 seconds and shuts down.

??

try going to a direct outlet. nothing in between the plug and the wall.

let me know if that helps.

Is the processor fan working? that one might be an overheat shutdown.

Are the cables to the on/off switch and the reset button ok? unplug them from the board and use a jumper for power on.

Re: PC Build - Help!

tried that...same results.

for some reason it's not going through the boot sequence. I check the HD for the master/slave settings and the jumper is in the correct slot.

what a pain in the ass!

Re: PC Build - Help!

the processor fan blows...but only for a short while.

then I have to turn the p.s. off/on then hit the switch, only to get the same results.

Re: PC Build - Help!

You may get errors like that if you don't have the motherboard mounts in the right places and instead of laying against the grounded sections where it should be screwed in you have the mount against the motherboard in a bad place. This would create a short curcuit and then everything would be all screwy like that.

I would take everything out (yes I know this is a pain in the ass) and make sure the mounts you screwed into the case all are placed such that they are lined up with the holes in the motherboard surounded by silver.

EDIT: oh and you will probably have extra mounts. do not put those in the case. only the ones that directly line up to the appropriate places on the MB.

Re: PC Build - Help!

I'd like to thank everyone who has helped me out...the MS community rocks :Bingo:

frustrating experience to say the least, but the small issues I had created big problems...

spacers shorting the board, slicing the shit out of my thumb, etc.

the last hurdle is installing the OS, which shouldn't be much of a prob..(lol)

thanks again... :RockOn:

good to hear that supaz

thepariah hit right on target then :)

Re: PC Build - Help!

yeah man, that and the bios not recog the hd...

i'm glad this debacle is over with! :Naughty:

but it's a good feeling knowing that I didn't totally destroy the new system or something....

another day and the sledgehammer would have been out I bet :CrackUp:

Re: PC Build - Help!

true that...

this was the first system I put together...:BangHead:

definitely a learning experience...but I guess it could of been worse.

[quote=beto";p="63251]good to hear that supaz

thepariah hit right on target then :)[/quote]

Only because I've done it myself. :unsure: Took me forever to figure out wtf was going on.

nice. i have not had that error yet. fucking compies. =P

Re: PC Build - Help!

Everything is working fine now... ahh, what to build next!

^ hahaha

you're hooked now... :D

Re: PC Build - Help!

yeah man...it's cool when the stuff you build actually works! :RockOn:

now it's time to overclock this baby... :Bingo: