Computer won't boot, I'm stumped...

M

Milehigh

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 18, 2004
Messages
248
In another thread, had a computer with no boot BEEP, and no video signal. At this point, I have a new motherboard, processor, memory and video card and even swapped the power supply... STILL no boot beep, no video signal, but full power to the motherboard and fans.

The only things not replaced were the hard drive, cd rom and floppy drive... one thing that seems like a possibility might be a stuck reset button (cheap case). Would that cause my problem, and if so, would disconnecting the reset wire fix it? Would a bad monitor cause no boot code beep?

I'm stumped guys and can't imagine what I'm missing here...
 
Hmm.. Do you have both of the power connectors plugged into the mobo? the 20/24 pin and the 4 pin? You sure you have the CPU heatsink on the correct way? As for the reset wire, I have no clue.. but when you turn on the computer are the keyboard lights turning on? Like, if you hit caps lock, does the caps lock light come on? If not, you're not posting at all and it's not the monitor..
 
No beep usually means the motherboard is messed up, as most bios functions nowadays will give error beeps if it detects hardware problems. Hmm, so no, a bad monitor wouldn't cause it to no beep. If you aren't getting a beep when you turn on the computer, it means it isn't finishing the POST process.

I'd look more closely at all buttons/switches, to make sure none are depressed. Also, check to make sure everythign is properly connected and make sure the mobo isnt' grounding out on the case.

Yes, and like the previous poster stated, make sure the power to the mobo is plugged in, as well as the power to CPU.

oh yeah, disconnecting the reset button won't hurt the computer.
 
I'd check and make sure you are not shorting out the motherboard to the case. also have you tried booting the computer up without any power connections to the hdd/fdd and without their cables attatched to the motherboard?
 
Well, next step would be to remove the Reset connector, I'll also remove the drives power and connectors. What is interesting, the computer worked for many years just fine then gave up the ghost, so I don't think it is a short of the mobo to the case.

Also, by completely replacing the mobo, cpu, power supply, memory and video card, I think I eliminated those as a problem. I'm really leaning towards the reset button as it does possibly feel funny, and it is a real tiny one where you have to use the end of a mechanical pencil to reset.

On the power connector, I'm not familiar with the 24 pin connector to the mobo, and neither of the 2 power supplies I have seems to work. I have the 20 pin connected, but what should be the 4 pin does not match up with the "shape" of the other 4 pin receptacle. Is this connector required? The manual wasn't clear on this, and seemed to indicated it was optional for a soft power-up or something like that...
 
Unplug the reset button... you don't need it.

Another thing to check since you installed a new mobo in an old case... make sure there are standoffs under the mobo mounting holes, and there are no others.
 
Yeah, that connector is required. The motherboard probably won't post without it connected. I know mine wouldn't. It powers the CPU, I believe... so that's probably your problem.

Edit: In case you need a visual, here is a pic - it's the white connector in between the 6 blue molexes.
 
That might be my problem on the new mobo then, it was interesting that the 4 pin connector has 2 round and 2 slanted shapped exteriors, but for some reason seemed to be setup opposite of how the mobo receptacle was arranged. I'll look at this in-depth tonight and get this damn thing solved :)

Thanks for the advice guys...
 
If the power connector issue isn't what is preventing your box from booting, try removing the cd-rom. I know it sounds strange, but I have personally seen it before where a defective cd-rom has prevented a MB from posting.

Good luck
 
An update to my issue, I did end up buying a new powersupply with 24 pin connector. Hooked it up, removed the reset connector and ALL drive cables... still no post or video signal. Should my next step be to remove the mobo from the case and try a boot with it on the desktop? Without a power button, how do I initiate a power-up, just short across the terminals where the power button wires hookup? Thanks guys for all the help :)
 
Milehigh said:
Without a power button, how do I initiate a power-up, just short across the terminals where the power button wires hookup? Thanks guys for all the help :)
Click to expand...

Correct. Take a flat head screwdriver and hold it against the two pins.

Here's my longshot idea: did you reset the CMOS. Always reset the CMOS, new motherboard or not ;)
 
Yes. Get it out of the case, hook it up with the barest essentials needed for a successful POST, and reset your CMOS.
 
Ok guys, with the bare mobo on the bench, just a video card and memory... still no video signal to monitor, and keyboard does not light up (caps or numlock), and no boot at all. I removed the heatsink, checked the cpu for orientation (was fine), reseated it with heatsink.... still no go! Bad CPU or mobo?
 
I may have missed this in the thread, but have you verified that your ram is good? I know you said it is new but that doesn't mean it's not DOA.

If you're mem does turn out to be good, I'd say you have pretty thoroughly eliminated everything else except for the CPU and MoBo.

I feel for you man, these kinds of troubles on a new build really drive you nuts.
 
No, haven't really verified the ram, but it is Corsair and should be ok... I'm returning the mobo and cpu for an exchange, if the next one doesn't boot, I have a spare stick of ram to try. What a PITA!

blackrino9 said:
I may have missed this in the thread, but have you verified that your ram is good? I know you said it is new but that doesn't mean it's not DOA.

If you're mem does turn out to be good, I'd say you have pretty thoroughly eliminated everything else except for the CPU and MoBo.

I feel for you man, these kinds of troubles on a new build really drive you nuts.
Click to expand...
 
THIS HAPPENED TO ME TO AND THE PROBLEM IS SO SIMPLE ITS FUNNY!!!!

change the fuse in your power supply plug!
 
Mayhs said:
THIS HAPPENED TO ME TO AND THE PROBLEM IS SO SIMPLE ITS FUNNY!!!!

change the fuse in your power supply plug!
Click to expand...

That would be simple.....but I have never seen a PSU with a fuse in the plug......What brand is it????
 
Well guys, I'm happy to say after getting another motherboard and processor that I'm up and running. Thanks again for all the great advice!

It leads to another question, since I'm using my daughter's existing hard drive, and she has a couple programs and has data we've yet to extract (it does boot of the old drive in safe mode), what was the procedure to get WinXP to a semi-virgin state to install the drivers for the new mobo?

Doesn't it involve deleting stuff in the Device Manager, rebooting, then installing drivers?
 
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