Built Comp, didn't work.

corsair831 · 02-03-2008, 01:22 PM

First computer i've built, and it didn't work.

Problem: when i press the on button, everything starts spinning and humming; but i get no signal in my monitor to register that there is even a computer connected. What i mean by this, is that the orange light stays orange (standby); wheras it should be green.
Every component except the dual hard drives and case are new. I've had both my monitor and my graphics card tested; and both apparantley work fine.
There is a green power light on my motherboard. This comes on every time i turn it on; i don't know if this means anything.

Specs:

Gfx Card: Gainward 8800 GT "Golden Sample"
Motherboard: Asus P5N32-E SLU nForce 680
Ram: 2x Corsair 1gb 800mhz
CPU: Q6600
PSU: OCZ 600W stealthxstream

I am sorry if my post is inadequate, this is my first time

.

**TheMatt** · 02-03-2008, 08:00 PM

Re-seat the RAM, swap it out, and replace if necessary. Re-seat the video card and replace if necessary. Check your monitor connection. Make sure your motherboard speaker is connected (the right way).

**blackduck30** · 02-03-2008, 09:55 PM

Also check to make sure you have all the appropriate power connections in place in addition to the 24 pin main power, Check to make sure that your video card power is connected if required and also 4 or 8 pin Aux power for your motherboard which should be located near your CPU

corsair831 · 02-04-2008, 05:26 AM

The 8 pin near the cpu, the 24 pin, and the 6 pin on the graphics card itsself are all seated and still no result. I don't understand what you mean by re-seat the RAM; as in do you mean .. just take it out, and put one strip in a different slot?

I'm sure the connections are firmly rooted in the back.

A thought has occured to me, however. My monitor is very old. I'm not sure quite how old, but it's definitely more than 7 years old. It has a sticker on it saying it's 1992 reduced EM field verified; so it's possibly 16 years old. Would a new graphics card work on a monitor this old?

I'm unsure what exactly you mean by the motherboard speaker connection. are these the multiple wires coming from the case into the motherboard? .

**TheMatt** · 02-04-2008, 01:51 PM

Even if you think you have components properly installed, taking them out and reinstalling them often fixes issues like that. In this case the video card and RAM are common causes of your symptoms. Even as an experienced computer tech I have occasionally installed things like video cards (especially those PCIe video cards when they don't line up with the chassis screw) incorrectly, but taking them out and reinstalling them fixed the issue.

With the RAM, try only one stick, and repeat this with both sticks. Try each individual stick on different slots. Check your motherboard manual for the proper configuration of two RAM sticks in dual channel.

For the speaker, look in your motherboard manual for the connector. It should be near the front panel headers. Cases usually include speakers with them; look for red and black wires twisted together.

The new graphics card should work fine with the old monitor unless the monitor itself is faulty. You are using the DVI-I to VGA adapter, and the VGA standard hasn't changed much over the years, especially now that it is being phased out because DVI is being used in favor of it.

corsair831 · 02-05-2008, 10:43 AM

Thank you TheMatt; that was a very good answer. I have often attempted to put these red and black wires in with very little result. I shall now go and attempt your advice ;).

**beefers1** · 02-06-2008, 10:14 PM

i've had this problem before, never was able to find a solution. if all of the above fails, then my best guess is the motherboard.

darkzenlord · 02-06-2008, 11:42 PM

quick question though. Does your motherboard "beep"? and have you tried a different monitor? If you have a single "beep" that generally means the hardware is fine and the machine has passed POST. If you have done all of the above mentioned than yes, possible motherboard.

p.s. The hardest diag I had to do ended up being very simple. The customer had put "one " too many Mobo riser studs in and after many hours of wasted time. I found it was shorting out a capacitor from the back of the mobo. So when diagnosing. Sometimes keeping it simple helps ALOT!

MaXXimus · 02-07-2008, 04:59 AM

Ok maybe I might be wrong here but if I read correctly you were using a DVI to VGA connector? If thats the case then its not going to work and you need a new monitor and I say this because my kids computer hadnt been used in over a month and I had bought a new monitor for myself so gave them my not so old flat panel... but when I tried to start up their computer all the lights come on and you could hear the harddrive kick in but outside of that... nothing, just a blank black monitor screen not showing post or anything.

I tried everything including ordering some OCZ RAM and still nothing. I pulled parts left and right and all with the same result... so I took it to Best Buys and watched them hook it up... and what do ya know? The freakin thing posted with no problem, he even did it twice more to be sure.

So as Im sitting in the parking lot of the store I remembered that the monitor I gave them had both DVI and VGA connections, their video card had a VGA connection but all I had was a DVI to DVI cable... I had gotten a VGA adapter for the one end and still nothing... I went and got another VGA adapter for the other end... still nothing... so I went back into the store and this time got a plain jane vga to vga monitor cord, went home plugged it in and what do ya know? Starts up and post screen comes right up on the monitor DOH! So if your video card has DVI then your gonna need a monitor with the same... if your card also has a VGA then go get a basic vga to vga cable and that should fix ya right up.

**beefers1** · 02-07-2008, 10:23 AM

I know this problem. It's not the monitor. I connected another monitor to a computer with the same problem, and tested the old monitor on another computer. both work perfectly. If i know the problem correctly, it's this: the motherboard does beep. The lights go on. All hardware, hard drives, etc turn on. But the machine won't boot, and the monitor is blank.

Lunatik · 02-07-2008, 03:41 PM

Have you tried reseating the processor as well? Bent pins, thermal compound that gets in the way, even simple dust or moisture can cause a malfunction and have you look at a blank screen.

**beefers1** · 02-07-2008, 08:56 PM

sorry, i meant to say: "If i've identified the problem correctly", not "if i know the problem correctly". i'm almost absolutely sure of it. but try lunatik's idea, it's a good one that i've never gotten around to try with my old PC.

Nemesis · 02-08-2008, 01:14 PM

Im only stating the obvious: if monitor has more than one input, try switching them, from the buttons on the front. Maybe try turning off onboard vid on bios.

corsair831 · 07-19-2008, 04:12 PM

sorry for an EXTREMElY late reply, but it worked; so thanks ;). Just so you can add this one to your "fixed" list.

02-03-2008, 01:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
corsair831 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 11 OS: xp sp2	Built Comp, didn't work. First computer i've built, and it didn't work. Problem: when i press the on button, everything starts spinning and humming; but i get no signal in my monitor to register that there is even a computer connected. What i mean by this, is that the orange light stays orange (standby); wheras it should be green. Every component except the dual hard drives and case are new. I've had both my monitor and my graphics card tested; and both apparantley work fine. There is a green power light on my motherboard. This comes on every time i turn it on; i don't know if this means anything. Specs: Gfx Card: Gainward 8800 GT "Golden Sample" Motherboard: Asus P5N32-E SLU nForce 680 Ram: 2x Corsair 1gb 800mhz CPU: Q6600 PSU: OCZ 600W stealthxstream I am sorry if my post is inadequate, this is my first time .

02-03-2008, 08:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheMatt Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,695 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Built Comp, didn't work. Re-seat the RAM, swap it out, and replace if necessary. Re-seat the video card and replace if necessary. Check your monitor connection. Make sure your motherboard speaker is connected (the right way). __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

02-03-2008, 09:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
blackduck30 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wollongong/Australia Posts: 4,233 OS: XP pro SP3/Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Built Comp, didn't work. Also check to make sure you have all the appropriate power connections in place in addition to the 24 pin main power, Check to make sure that your video card power is connected if required and also 4 or 8 pin Aux power for your motherboard which should be located near your CPU __________________ Blackduck30 Time is like money and milk, It's always running out Any Donations Help Keep TSF Free For All

02-04-2008, 05:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
corsair831 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 11 OS: xp sp2	Re: Built Comp, didn't work. The 8 pin near the cpu, the 24 pin, and the 6 pin on the graphics card itsself are all seated and still no result. I don't understand what you mean by re-seat the RAM; as in do you mean .. just take it out, and put one strip in a different slot? I'm sure the connections are firmly rooted in the back. A thought has occured to me, however. My monitor is very old. I'm not sure quite how old, but it's definitely more than 7 years old. It has a sticker on it saying it's 1992 reduced EM field verified; so it's possibly 16 years old. Would a new graphics card work on a monitor this old? I'm unsure what exactly you mean by the motherboard speaker connection. are these the multiple wires coming from the case into the motherboard? . Last edited by corsair831 : 02-04-2008 at 05:27 AM.

02-04-2008, 01:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
TheMatt Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,695 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Built Comp, didn't work. Even if you think you have components properly installed, taking them out and reinstalling them often fixes issues like that. In this case the video card and RAM are common causes of your symptoms. Even as an experienced computer tech I have occasionally installed things like video cards (especially those PCIe video cards when they don't line up with the chassis screw) incorrectly, but taking them out and reinstalling them fixed the issue. With the RAM, try only one stick, and repeat this with both sticks. Try each individual stick on different slots. Check your motherboard manual for the proper configuration of two RAM sticks in dual channel. For the speaker, look in your motherboard manual for the connector. It should be near the front panel headers. Cases usually include speakers with them; look for red and black wires twisted together. The new graphics card should work fine with the old monitor unless the monitor itself is faulty. You are using the DVI-I to VGA adapter, and the VGA standard hasn't changed much over the years, especially now that it is being phased out because DVI is being used in favor of it. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

02-05-2008, 10:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
corsair831 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 11 OS: xp sp2	Re: Built Comp, didn't work. Thank you TheMatt; that was a very good answer. I have often attempted to put these red and black wires in with very little result. I shall now go and attempt your advice ;).

02-06-2008, 10:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
beefers1 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Surrey, BC, Canada Posts: 2,376 OS: Win XP Pro SP2 My System Blog Entries: 4	Re: Built Comp, didn't work. i've had this problem before, never was able to find a solution. if all of the above fails, then my best guess is the motherboard. __________________ My blog- feel free to visit

02-06-2008, 11:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
darkzenlord Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North east Posts: 11 OS: XP Pro SP2	Re: Built Comp, didn't work. quick question though. Does your motherboard "beep"? and have you tried a different monitor? If you have a single "beep" that generally means the hardware is fine and the machine has passed POST. If you have done all of the above mentioned than yes, possible motherboard. p.s. The hardest diag I had to do ended up being very simple. The customer had put "one " too many Mobo riser studs in and after many hours of wasted time. I found it was shorting out a capacitor from the back of the mobo. So when diagnosing. Sometimes keeping it simple helps ALOT!

02-07-2008, 04:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
MaXXimus Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 33 OS: Vista 64-bit & XP 32-bit (Dual Booting)	Re: Built Comp, didn't work. Ok maybe I might be wrong here but if I read correctly you were using a DVI to VGA connector? If thats the case then its not going to work and you need a new monitor and I say this because my kids computer hadnt been used in over a month and I had bought a new monitor for myself so gave them my not so old flat panel... but when I tried to start up their computer all the lights come on and you could hear the harddrive kick in but outside of that... nothing, just a blank black monitor screen not showing post or anything. I tried everything including ordering some OCZ RAM and still nothing. I pulled parts left and right and all with the same result... so I took it to Best Buys and watched them hook it up... and what do ya know? The freakin thing posted with no problem, he even did it twice more to be sure. So as Im sitting in the parking lot of the store I remembered that the monitor I gave them had both DVI and VGA connections, their video card had a VGA connection but all I had was a DVI to DVI cable... I had gotten a VGA adapter for the one end and still nothing... I went and got another VGA adapter for the other end... still nothing... so I went back into the store and this time got a plain jane vga to vga monitor cord, went home plugged it in and what do ya know? Starts up and post screen comes right up on the monitor DOH! So if your video card has DVI then your gonna need a monitor with the same... if your card also has a VGA then go get a basic vga to vga cable and that should fix ya right up. Last edited by MaXXimus : 02-07-2008 at 05:03 AM.

02-07-2008, 10:23 AM	#10 (permalink)
beefers1 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Surrey, BC, Canada Posts: 2,376 OS: Win XP Pro SP2 My System Blog Entries: 4	Re: Built Comp, didn't work. I know this problem. It's not the monitor. I connected another monitor to a computer with the same problem, and tested the old monitor on another computer. both work perfectly. If i know the problem correctly, it's this: the motherboard does beep. The lights go on. All hardware, hard drives, etc turn on. But the machine won't boot, and the monitor is blank. __________________ My blog- feel free to visit

02-07-2008, 03:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
Lunatik Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 12 OS: XP-Pro 32, openSUSE 10.3 64	Re: Built Comp, didn't work. Have you tried reseating the processor as well? Bent pins, thermal compound that gets in the way, even simple dust or moisture can cause a malfunction and have you look at a blank screen. Last edited by Lunatik : 02-07-2008 at 03:43 PM.

02-07-2008, 08:56 PM	#12 (permalink)
beefers1 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Surrey, BC, Canada Posts: 2,376 OS: Win XP Pro SP2 My System Blog Entries: 4	Re: Built Comp, didn't work. sorry, i meant to say: "If i've identified the problem correctly", not "if i know the problem correctly". i'm almost absolutely sure of it. but try lunatik's idea, it's a good one that i've never gotten around to try with my old PC. __________________ My blog- feel free to visit

02-08-2008, 01:14 PM	#13 (permalink)
Nemesis Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Va, USA Posts: 222 OS: Win2000.xp.vista.03server.	Re: Built Comp, didn't work. Im only stating the obvious: if monitor has more than one input, try switching them, from the buttons on the front. Maybe try turning off onboard vid on bios.

07-19-2008, 04:12 PM	#14 (permalink)
corsair831 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 11 OS: xp sp2	Re: Built Comp, didn't work. sorry for an EXTREMElY late reply, but it worked; so thanks ;). Just so you can add this one to your "fixed" list.