Member Avatar for tasbasco1

Hi, I just upgraded my computer to PCI-Express, and built it, but I am having problems with it not booting.

Some information I would like to give is: I decided to keep my CD/DVD drives, and my HDD (Heard old HDD's may cause problems with the OS on new machines?)

Anyways, here is the more in-dept look on my problem. When I turn on my computer, all the fans and my heatsink works, but I get a blank screen on my moniter. I am pretty positive I have everything plugged in properly except my CD/DVD drives, which don't seem to work. I have my IDE and my PSU cords plugged into both, is there anything else I am missing? (don't think my CD/DVD drives not working will affect my system not booting, but another problem I would like to get resolved by the help from you guys. :) ) My mobo has these 2 LED lights that work when I turn my system on, so I don't think my mobo has a problem. I am starting to think I may have a defected CPU, or... well -- I really don't know, but I hope to god none of my parts are damaged.

Anyone have any ideas on what the problem may be?

My Specs:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
MSI P6N SLI Platinum
2x1Gig DDR3 ram
e-GeForce 8800 GTS
620w PSU
Windows XP Home SP2

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Member #127113

Dani AI

Generated

Powering up with fans and no picture normally means the system never reaches a usable BIOS/POST stage — that makes this a hardware/firmware problem, not an OS one. Advice about reinstalling Windows (as mentioned by and ) is useful later, but will not fix a machine that never shows BIOS or POST.

Priority checklist (try in order):

  • Verify all required power rails are present: the main ATX 24‑pin plus the separate CPU 4/8‑pin (EPS) must be connected. Also confirm any auxiliary PCIe power (6/8‑pin) is plugged into the video card.
  • Confirm the display cable is connected to the discrete GPU output (not the motherboard I/O) and the monitor input matches that connector; swap to a known‑good cable or monitor if available.
  • Memory sanity: test a single DIMM in the board’s primary slot, try other sticks/slots one at a time, and confirm the memory type matches the board’s supported spec.
  • Reset BIOS/CMOS to defaults (jumper or remove battery briefly) to remove any clock or voltage misconfigurations.
  • Attach a small PC speaker or check the board’s status LEDs and note any beep/LED patterns for the manual’s POST codes.

If those checks don’t help: bench the board outside the case (to rule out shorting standoffs), reseat the CPU cooler and GPU, inspect the CPU socket area for bent contacts, and try a different PSU or GPU if available. A short, missing auxiliary power to the card, or incompatible RAM are common causes for the exact symptom described.

As observed, BIOS/clock/memory mismatches can block POST; check the motherboard CPU/memory support list and BIOS revision if a newer CPU is used. Collect beep patterns, LED indicators and exact symptoms before contacting manufacturer support or RMAing a part.

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Member Avatar for PoemBoy

Well im not sure but i just buil;t a new pc myself and had a similar problem it turned on but nothing on the screen. I had to change a FSB jumper on my mobo from 480 something to 533. my cpu is a pentium 4 2.6 ghz 512 mb ram and 533 hz. It solved that problem.

Member Avatar for Suspishio

You will definitely need to rebuild Windows (if you haven't already done so).

The jumpers for memory configuration mentioned by PoemBoy are also worth lookig at - in fact check all jumpers against your mobo handbook.

Also, I'm sure you've tried booting without your extra devices attached? yes? And the old HDD is set as Slave, yes? Or if your mobo has SATA disk controller don't expect yur old HDD to work unless you have IDE socketing. etc.

Member Avatar for Member #127113

You need to Install clean windows on new board. Windows doesnt load with previous mainboard drivers on new one.

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