Any weird beeps? Onboard video by any chance? Does the initial BIOS post screen start up at all or absolutely no picture at all?
cscgal
The Queen of DaniWeb
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Disconnect everything except Display card, RAM, front panel connectors, processor fan and front panel connectors from the motherboard and the power supply unit. See if the system completed POST to the point of the "You don't have an operating system" message.
If it doesn't post, check the motherboard manual diagrams and ensure you have the front panel connectors configured correctly. Turn them around to face the other way if you have. (Sometimes something as simple as a Power LED connector which is reversed can stop a machine from booting)
If it completes POST, add all the other stuff one by one, checking that the system completes POST after each. Add the hard drive last, and if you have more than one, add the system drive last.
Get back to us with results please.
Catweazle
Grandad
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Well, then, you either didn't go through it thoroughly enough, or the board or power supply unit is dead.
The checklist I provided is the rock-bottom basics, and if a motherboard won't POST, with only the basic components fitted, and it being confirmed that all the basic components are in working order, you should return the motherboard to the supplier.
Catweazle
Grandad
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Pull the ram and see if you get the no ram error beeps on boot up.
caperjack
I hate 20 Questions
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Know the feeling!
I copped one a while back that gave me all sorts of frustration until I realised that the bloody thing was shipped with the 'Clear CMOS' jumper in the 'Clear' position! (Yours shouldn't be like that, as the fans wouldn't be working either. It'd just be dead!)
I've also had a few others from time to time which just wouldn't work or which wouldn't work reliably no matter what was tried with them and guess what!
Every bloody one of those had an SiS chipset!
Catweazle
Grandad
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lol yeah, I had a heck of alot of trouble assembling my personal machine the other day, no trouble assembling anybody elses but when it came to mine I had to pull the case frame apart just to put the cd drive in and had to take the psu out just to put the fan on the cpu and after all the trouble I went to, no display whatsoever, I got mega frustrated but it turned out that my video card wasn't inserted properly, I pushed it in maybe 3-5mm more and it worked :|, anyways, that happens.
Slade
Practically a Master Poster
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programmer_ted. please read my first two posts in this topic. they represent the 'basics' in getting a new motherboard working. If you have followed the directions indicated in them precisely and thoroughly, and still have problems, then please start a new topic indicating what motherboard you are using, and we can try to assist you.
In the meantime, please be aware that simply assessing a power supply unit by its wattage level isn't enough. A decent quality model from a reputable manufacturer will always be better than even lower wattage units from a 'generic' supplier. Cheap power units are NEVER the best option!
To repeat the basic troubleshooting procedure for those having problems:
Power down and either switch off at the wall outlet or remove the power cord
Remove ALL plug-in components except the processor and its heatsink/fan, one RAM module (usually in Slot 1 unless the motherboard manual specifically states otherwise), and a display card if the motherboard does not have onboard video. If the motherboard has onboard video, remove an add-in display card also.
Physically reset CMOS either by using the appropriate jumper or by removing and later replacing the CMOS battery.
Ensure that the power supply is connected to the motherboard
Ensure that the front panel case connector leads are attached correctly to the motherboard.
Connect a keyboard and a monitor
Power up and see if the machine completes POST.
If the machine does not POST in basic configuration, check, double-check and recheck the front panel connectors, ensure that the processor is firmly and correctly seated in its socket, and if there is still no success have the basic components checked for functionality by a technician.
Catweazle
Grandad
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Same goes for dropped screws etc which have become lodged under the board.
Catweazle
Grandad
4,335 posts since Mar 2004
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Solved Threads: 149