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Getting a bad....case?

V

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Limp Gawd
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
152
This still drives me nuts. In a nutshell I built (or tried to build) a computer 2 years ago. It was the culmination of years of wishing and hoping and saving, basically a dream come true. Anyway, the nightmare began after the board wouldn't post, bare boarded it, tested all the components, etc etc, wouldn't ******* post. This happened 3 more times after RMA'ing everything and waiting months between lost UPS shippments, after which time I had to debate with New Egg about a refund. I had multiple friends help me out, and one mentioned that the case could have constantly shorted the board out, as it worked once while bare boarding, only to have me bump the spacebar with my elbow and shut it off, permanently.
Is this possible? Could my Cooler Master case, the one thing I didn't RMA, have been shorting out my board? Does that happen?
Thanks
 
For example stand off in bad place could surely cause damage but then again I've seen many threads about PCs whose booting problems were caused by that (PSU detects short and shuts down) and they worked fine after removing that stand off from wrong place.
 
I would try booting the PC up outside the computer case, to see if that solves any problems. Otherwise, if you had any spare parts, to see if they work?
 
Over a decade ago when working for a computer store, we got a computer in that had been hit by lighting. We replaced everything in the computer, and it still would not boot. We finally replaced the case and it worked right.

So it is possible to have lightening screw up a case along with motherboard, etc. Since then I have seen it happen more than once. This is why when I have a client whose computer has been hit by lightning I suggest a whole new computer, and not bothering to salvage any parts from the old.
 
I got it to post while running outside the case. But I hit the space-bar as vista was installing on accident and it just powered off. After that it refused to turn back on.
 
Well something more is going on. Just bumping the space bar on your keyboard wasn't going to cause a shutdown and render the hardware lifeless.

I have seen new builders make all kinds of “simple” mistakes that result in a none functioning PC.

The most common is rushing in to the build overly excited about getting this new PC running.

Assuming you didn't rush the buying process and bough hardware that was all compatible right out the box. Meaning you didn't buy a motherboard that would need a BIOS flash to support the CPU you selected. Or bought incompatible hard ware all together. Like a 45nm Core2 but a board with a revision that only supports 65nm Core2. But since you got it to post and boot the vista disk once this isn't likely.

The next thing would be the rush that can ensue to get the whole thing assembled. This too can lead to all sorts of mistakes.

I have seen more then one CPU forced in to a socket in the wrong direction. Again not something you seem to have done.

I can't tel you how many heat sinks I have seen installed with the little piece of protective film on the TIM still attached. Many years ago this could lead to a system that actually ran most of the year until summer brought temps up. These days the CPU can heat up and shut down the system before you know whats happening.

When it comes to installing the board some people seem to get really careless. Leaving a stud where the board doesn't have a mounting hole. This can sometimes just short out the system and in other cases do physical damage to the board. I have also on a number of occasions encountered a system where the motherboard screws have been cranked down crazy tight. The first time I encountered this one it took me forever to figure out what happened and I probably wouldn't have ever figured it out if the guy didn't bring me another PC the next week with a similar issue. On this one I could actually see where the studs severely cut in to the back of the board.

And there are still other issues that can come up case related. Occasionally I find a motherboard stud that has a nasty burr on top that could easily cut in to the board.

Also many boards don't extend all the way to the final row of mounting holes. So care needs to be taken when inserting RAM and IDE cables or the board will flex and this could cause damage.

Then I also come across people who get turned around some how looking at the front panel connectors and hook them up wrong.

And while it rare I have seen new cases where the power button don't work or where the reset button is stuck in the contact position.

I also had one aluminum case once that kept grounding out the system. I could get the board installed and working but as soon as the case was moved the system would no longer boot. Even tried a different motherboard and had the same results. But I had a steel case on hand with the same design so I took the tray our and put it in the aluminum case and it worked fine ever since. And I never did figure out what was wrong with the aluminum tray since it looked fine.

I have seen may other things like RAM that was forced to lock in even though it was in the wrong way.

So long story short I don't think any one can tell you what exactly went wrong with your build. All I can do is recommended that in the future you make sure you take the time too look everything over and think everything through before you start. Building a PC is really quite simple but as I pointed out it can also be really easy to make mistakes when you rush.
 
I don't feel I rushed it, as I RMA'd the parts 3 times and took my time. Every single time with the same case it failed to post. All the motherboard said was a failure to post, it didn't diagnose the problem.

Still eats at me to this day.
 
I had the same problem on my last build. I honestly could not figure it out either. worked outside the tower twice, but not in. I had to have my buddy come over and take a whack at it. I swear he did it the exact same way and it works fine. I know it doesn't help, but I feel you pain.
 
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