Computer won't start

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vsboxerboy

2[H]4U
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Oct 17, 2005
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Just building a new computer based on the fry's e8400 + ecs motherboard combo. Got everything together fine but nothing shows up on the screen. The fans are turning but the screen is blank and when I press caps lock, etc - nothing lights up on my keyboard.

I know this is vague, but is it possible that the motherboard or cpu is dead and how can I take the next step in diagnosing the problem. Thanks!
 
Open the case up, and remove all components except for your memory. Try powering it on. If it still doesn't do anything, try 1 stick of memory at a time. If it still doesn't do anything, try a different PSU if you have one lying around.
 
okay so one by one i put the e8400 9600gt ram and psu into my other rig and they all work (my e6300 doesn't work in the ecs either) so it looks like its the mobo (ecs gf7050vt-m). ugh frys is 45 min away...i assume there is nothing else i can do right?

please excuse grammar and punctuation as this is from my ps3 as my rig isi in pieces
 
Second time I've borrowed this quote:
Enginurd said:
/*------------- <cut n paste> -------------*/
If you have both the 20/24 pin main ATX connector plugged in, AND the 4-Pin ATX12V P4 CPU connector plugged in, then the board should boot fine.

You could 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 proceed (though, in rare cases, it may still be the PSU at fault).

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)
- CPU w/ HSF
- Single stick of ram
- Videocard if there is no onboard video
- Monitor
- Keyboard
- System speaker/buzzer

* 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/HSF and try again. Report back with results if you're still having issues.
/*------------- </cut n paste> -------------*/
Click to expand...
 
I'm in no way familiar with the ECS motherboard but you might want to check if there is a BIOS update for it (after you've tried the info posted above). I heard the e8400 didn't work on some motherboards but did after a BIOS update. The Asus Maximus Formula for example gave some users problems (mine worked).

You'd need another CPU though to actually do the BIOS update (assuming there is one). If a BIOS update will fix it, maybe a friend who could you a cpu? Or perhaps it's easier to just take the board back to the store.
 
@ Woblin - Even with the CPU, RAM, PSU, and Vid Card from my working rig, I can't get the motherboard to do anything other than spin the fans

I checked the board for anything blown, burnt, chipped, cracked, etc. - just looks like the board was DOA. I've heard bad things about ECS, but this is the first time I've had anything arrive DOA. Have to take it back to the store, but with the price of gas, I certainly hope I don't have to make the trip twice! If the replacement board is DOA as well..................:mad:
 
vsboxerboy said:
I checked the board for anything blown, burnt, chipped, cracked, etc. - just looks like the board was DOA. I've heard bad things about ECS, but this is the first time I've had anything arrive DOA. Have to take it back to the store, but with the price of gas, I certainly hope I don't have to make the trip twice! If the replacement board is DOA as well..................:mad:
Click to expand...

Did you reassemble the PC outside of the case? Something inside the case might be shorting out the mobo, hence no video.
 
I did try that, although not on purpose. I had a Frankenstein machine going using parts between two rigs lol. The mobo was on a foam mat on the ground though outside of the case (an Antec Sonata III - nice case btw. second rig I've built with one) still with no luck.

I really do appreciate all of the suggestions, I'm gonna be pissed if I drive back to Fry's to find out that the problem was something else.
 
Sounds like you've tried everything you can. It's probably the motherboard. I had a DOA board once. I had to drive 120KM and I was a teenager then with no car!
 
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