Computer will not post

[zachtib]

My friend's computer won't post, he's just getting a blank screen. (I'm posting this as he doesn't have access to a computer for the moment)

He's got the following hardware,

ASUS P5N32E-SLI
Core 2 Duo E6600
2x1GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2-1066
EVGA Geforce 8800GT

If anyone has a suggestion to get it up and running again, we'd appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[tiraides]

Have you read and/or followed the basic troubleshooting steps listed in the GenHard FAQ/sticky?

 

[klowngoblin]

swap video cables (known working)
then swap monitors (known working)

(i know obvious stuff but it has to be done first )

then take out ram (swap with good ram)
then take out video card (swap with any video card that works)

 

[engiNURD]

Was it POSTing before?

If not...

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This is basic troubleshooting if your system has never POSTed (as in, you just put it together); Though, it may be helpful to others whose system no longer POSTs...
If you have both the 20/24 pin main ATX connector plugged in, AND the 4-Pin (or 8-pin) ATX12V P4 CPU connector plugged in, then the board should boot fine (unless it requires more power connectors from the PSU). First, try clearing the CMOS w/ the proper jumper or button.

The next thing you could do is test the PSU. Jump start it (on the main atx connector, short the green wire with any black wire, using a paperclip), and see if it stays on. If not, then its probably a faulty PSU. If it works then you can proceed with the suggestions below. ***NOTE: The paperclip trick is a simple test for those that do not have PSU testers, multimeters, nor a spare PSU to test with. It is not a 100% conclusive test of the PSU.

How to test with a multimeter @ BFG

Setup everything outside of the case, with the mobo on top of its cardboard box. Plug in only the essentials:
- PSU (namely: main 20/24-pin ATX connector and 4-pin ATX12V P4 CPU Connector; The 4-pin should work in the 8-pin EPS12v plugs, too)
- CPU w/ HSF
- Single stick of ram
- Videocard if there is no onboard video (along with its power connector, if it has one)
- System speaker/buzzer (your board may have an on-board tweeter/buzzer/speaker)
- Monitor & Keyboard

Reset/Clear the CMOS by following the instructions in your mobo manual.

* Use a screwdriver if your board doesnt have an onboard power switch. Jump the two power switch leads to turn the power on.

If it won't post, try different RAM slots. If it still won't post, pull out the ram (so no ram in the system) and listen for error beeps. If none, pull the vidcard and listen for error beeps. If none, re-seat the CPU and HSF, then try again. Report back with results if you're still having issues.
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