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Homebuilt computer problem.

N

Nerkel

n00b
Joined
Dec 26, 2008
Messages
18
Hello again ^^;

I posted here a while back, asking for some parts advice. With your help and that of a few friends, I purchased all the parts for my computer ,and they arrive today. I began assembling it ,and about four nervous hours later, I finished!

However, it will not boot.

No lights, no fans going off, nothing. Like it wasn't even plugged in. Only thing I seem to notice is that when I unplug the back of the computer's PSU cable, I hear a faint whine. Thats about all for noises.

The system I made:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4282932&Sku=P450-9112 D - Barebones kit, I am using the PSU that was already installed in the case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162022 - Video card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835119092 -CPU Cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823107128 - Basic USB Keyboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106228 - DVD drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315041 -Wlan card

http://shop2.frys.com/product/5686261?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG -decent deal for a 17" Widescrean

and Some random USB mouse I had.

One of my computer savvy friends helped me assemble it, but he can't figure out the problem. I have a feeling it is the PSU, though I am not sure. I wore an ant-static bracelet the whole time, and yes, the computer was plugged in, and the socket it was plugged into worked.

Any help would be appreciated, and forgive me if I overlooked anything :)
 
Sounds like a dead PSU to me. There is a sticky thread for troubleshooting, and in the bottom of the post are some steps to try if your system does not POST... follow those steps and report back results.
 
Well, during the time that I posted this and waited for a response, I found another alternate thread for the PSU, and I confirmed the psu worked. I found my original problem to be rooted in the fact that I forgot spacers when I initially screwed the Motherboard in, and the motherboards built in protection kicked in and wouldn't allow a start up.

After fixing that problem, I can boot the computer up, but it shuts itself down 2-7 seconds later. Im being told the motherboard is shorted, but I don't know.. The 30 day guarrantee that tigerdirect offers is probably just expired too, with my luck. So, I'll need help on a course of action ;\
 
Like I said, follow those steps in that sticky and report results. The sticky is one of the 4 threads at the top of general hardware. Its called the basic troubleshooting guide.

No mobo standoffs? And you're friend helped you with it? Really?!?! :eek::( Did you read any of the first time build guides listed in the sticky?
 
enginurd said:
Like I said, follow those steps in that sticky and report results. The sticky is one of the 4 threads at the top of general hardware. Its called the basic troubleshooting guide.
Click to expand...

Alright, I'll do that and edit my post when I do.

EDIT

Well, I took it out of the case and have it running on bare min. Its running, but nothing is popping up.After posting my last edit, it stopped, and now its back to its start -> stop cycle. Trying the options.

1st option : Switch RAM: I switched the ram and I recieved two beeps, one after the other, then it shut off.

2nd Option: Take out RAM completey : Took it out, recieved a long beep that lasted as long as I kept the system on.

3rd Option: Take out video card. I had put in a video card in the PCIe x16 slot. I took it out and when I booted it, I got to the bio's, then it shut off. Close..

4th option: I reset the chip and its Heatsink; Same thing as 3 happened, but I saw on the screen :" CMOS checksum bad"

So, what am I looking at here? The mobo didn't come with an instruction booklet, and the website has no documentation..

Now, I've read in similar situations that you are to clear the CMOS, but without documentation, I really can't do that. All I have is a 2 page quick reference guide that shows where the CMOS is.
 
I'm surprised nobody recommended a better alternative. Anyhow, lets focus on the solution. :p

So, what did you press after CMOS checksum bad? That usually means clear it, and hope your BIOS isn't hosed; but it sometimes gives you an option to continue.

XFX's support site is terrible. They require you to login to get support files (manual). Anyhow, register and click on Support files once you're logged in. Filter results by model # and manual, and you can download the manual. Page 12 shows this:

MG-63Mi-7159_clear_cmos.gif


Report results.
 
I performed what you said, and it stills says " CMOS Checksum bad"

And it powers off after about 4-5 seconds after entering that screen..
 
Either your BIOS is hosed, or you need a new battery. However, it should give you an option to hit a key and proceed after the bad checksum.
 
Oh, I can hit a key and go to a different menu, it still shuts off ;-;

So, as the saying goes, I'm screwed? Because its been more then 30 days since the person who purchased this for me as a gift ordered it.
 
Do you have another PSU you could try?

I'm pretty sure the mobo is still under warranty.
 
Negative .-.

the mobo might, I'll give TD a ring tomorrow. All we have in the house is an older tower, and it belongs to my dad. He wouldn't like me taking his computer apart >_>;

Oh, as I mentioned before, it is the Stock PSU, but it did work. Think it might be the PSU? ;oa
 
Did you do the paperclip trick mentioned in the troubleshooting guide? I think it will pass that simple test, but I'm not sure if its got enough juice to keep the system on. Do you have another battery you could try, for the motherboard? doubt it would help, but worth a try if you have one laying around.

RMA with XFX, not TD.
 
Well, I ordered it from TD, so I'll give RMA a try in the future


I did try the clip method, and it did kick on. I dunno. We don't have the battery, or spare computer parts ;\
 
Well today, I booted it up to see if I missed anything, and it says:


"reboot and select proper Boot Device"
or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key"

Then it shuts off .-.
 
So it POSTs... nice... it just can't stay on. Yah, RMA the board back to XFX.
 
enginurd said:
So it POSTs... nice... it just can't stay on. Yah, RMA the board back to XFX.
Click to expand...



Thanks for the help and being patient with me again, I do appreciate it!.

I'll contact them tomorrow, once I can get ahold of the information my dad has.
 
Well like someone else said I can't believe no one recommended better parts for you. First I would never recommend a Nvidia chip set based board to someone building his first system from scratch. I wouldn't take that hardware if someone offered it to me free, it just isn't worth the myriad of problems I expect you to experience. However this should be quite the learning experience if you got the bank roll to keep going with it.

Now you say you mounted the board in the case with no standoffs originally. Right there something tells me you destroyed the board. I can't even imagine what you did to get the back plate lined up much less how you managed to cram the video card in with the board sitting about ½ inch lower then it should be. Even if your “computer savvy” friend wasn't there when you mounted the board it shouldn't have taken him more then one glance at the system to notice this.

Now assuming the board survived you bending the hell out of it to get it mounted like you did. The problem could still be a short somewhere that is triggered by vibration from fans and or hard drive. And the first step to checking for such a problem would be to set the board up out side the case and see if it works.

That said, please don't take this the wrong way but I can not believe people are suggesting you get an RMA for the board when a good chance exists that if anything is wrong with the board it is because of how you mounted it originally. RMA's are not so people can learn through trial and error for free. They are for hardware that has failed due to manufacturing defect.
 
TGA said:
... That said, please don't take this the wrong way but I can not believe people are suggesting you get an RMA for the board when a good chance exists that if anything is wrong with the board it is because of how you mounted it originally. RMA's are not so people can learn through trial and error for free. They are for hardware that has failed due to manufacturing defect.
Click to expand...

And how can you tell it wasn't originally defective? If the company will RMA it, then let them. If they reject the RMA, tough lesson learned. Yes, its as simple as that. The company will inspect the board and if they see any signs of abuse, rest assured, they'll deny a warranty replacement.
 
enginurd said:
And how can you tell it wasn't originally defective? If the company will RMA it, then let them. If they reject the RMA, tough lesson learned. Yes, its as simple as that. The company will inspect the board and if they see any signs of abuse, rest assured, they'll deny a warranty replacement.
Click to expand...

You can't however when you fuck up as bad as the OP you should assume responsibility and pay for your mistakes.

Now if the OP actually explains in detail how he messed up installing the board the first time and XFX decides to still give him and RMA that great. But yeah I have no doubt that the above mistake will not be mentioned to XFX and if it is I doubt they will grant him an RMA#.

So to be clear I have no problem with him contacting the manufacturer for an RMA as long as he tells them everything he did with that board that could have fucked it up.

I am a bit bitter about RMA abuse and I see it all the time. I am sure RMA abuse is a big reason why Newegg RMA changed years ago and it is why I have to jump through hopes to get an RMA some times. Years ago I never had an RMA take more then a week from time of request to having the replacement. These days I am looking at a month.
 
If you are asking if I forced the board into place, then I did not force anything; If It didn't fit, then I didn't force it into bending anywhere, and yes, I have been setting the system out of the case when I've been diagnosing it. If you're saying that I'm going to lie to them about the RMA, I most certaintly wouldn't.

If I have to re-buy the motheboard, then I guess that's what I'll have to do. Lesson learned and such.
 
Companies inspect parts to avoid relying solely on what the customers tell them. So again, you need not worry.
 
I will probably just buy the motherboard again on monday or so. From what everyone is telling me, thats the problem.

Unless you think I have a case with the RMA..
 
Just RMA it.


The other poster that is on your nuts about it is going overboard. By the sounds of it he himself has RMA'd more components than everyone else in this thread.
 
Snotrocket said:
Just RMA it.


The other poster that is on your nuts about it is going overboard. By the sounds of it he himself has RMA'd more components than everyone else in this thread.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the advice.

I've made a bit of mistakes here, but I've learned alot, so hopefully everything will be fine now. Thanks ^^
 
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