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Ok, it's built...but...HELP

B

blurhahn

Weaksauce
Joined
Jun 30, 2005
Messages
89
Right so I put together my second machine (for a friend this time), plugged everything in to the best of my ability, and pressed the power button. The lights come on, the fans start spinning, then it all goes off in a matter of about 2 seconds. Can anyone evaluate what this problem could be caused by?

Here are the specs in case you're wondering:
WD 160GB HD
XION Solaris Green LED Case
Antec SP 2.0 500W PSU
Foxconn NF4 Ultra Socket 939 Motherboard
Samsung DVD Burner
EVGA 7600GT PCI-E
A-DATA 2x 1GB PC3200 RAM
AMD Athlon 3500+ Manchester Socket 939 Processor
 
Is this all in the case? It could be a short. Strip it down to the bare essentials outside of the case. Put the mobo on its cardboard box, connect the CPU, CPU HSF, PSU, one stick of ram, and the vidcard/monitor... now see if it posts (power on by manually jumping the two power header pins with a screwdriver or something). It could also be a bad PSU, so if you have another one handy, try it. You may also need to re-seat the cpu/cpu.hsf.
 
^^I'm not sure if I'm ready to do something like that just yet. I do have a question though about the problem possibly being with the processor HSF. Since it's the processor in a box from AMD...what would be the consequences if I would try to remove the HSF and attempt to remount it? Would that heating pad be ruined?
 
If you referring to the thermal pad when you say "heating pad", then yes, it will need to be cleaned off and replaced with thermal paste after you re-seat the cpu.
And, I am in no way trying to sound like an asshole when I say this, but if you felt comfortable putting your friends machine together for him, you should certainly feel comfortable breaking it down to try and diagnose the problem... You did seat the cpu in it's socket when you put it all together, right? Take it apart, lay it out on cardboard like enginurd recommended and start troubleshooting.. Don't fret the little things like cleaning up the hsf/cpu, just use some isopropyl alcohol and a clean cloth, wipe it all down and apply a small amount of thermal paste, evenly applied to the cpu and put it back together.

That is where you need to start, and if you have questions, just ask..you know where to get help.
 
You should have tested it outside of the case first, to insure all parts were in working order. For quick testing, and if you don't mind reapplying the paste later or if you have none to reapply right now, then go ahead and keep using the current thermal pad/paste until you get the system to POST and get some new thermal paste. Just remember you'll have to take it apart again to clean it off before actually using the system.
 
Ok I will attempt to break it down...but could you be more specific about manually powering it on?
 
blurhahn said:
^^I'm not sure if I'm ready to do something like that just yet. I do have a question though about the problem possibly being with the processor HSF. Since it's the processor in a box from AMD...what would be the consequences if I would try to remove the HSF and attempt to remount it? Would that heating pad be ruined?
Click to expand...
nothing wrong with reseating the hsf and although the thermal pad wouldn't necessarily be ruined, it will definitely be less effective. like the others suggested, try getting a post outside the case and using the bare minimum, mobo, cpu, ram, vid card.
 
blurhahn said:
Ok I will attempt to break it down...but could you be more specific about manually powering it on?
Click to expand...

To manually power on the PC, you have to find the two pins on the motherboard where you plug in the power switch from the case. If you short these (connect them with something metal) for a second, the computer should turn on. I typically use a wire to do this, but I have heard of lots of people just shorting them with a screwdriver.
 
ilikecake said:
To manually power on the PC, you have to find the two pins on the motherboard where you plug in the power switch from the case. If you short these (connect them with something metal) for a second, the computer should turn on. I typically use a wire to do this, but I have heard of lots of people just shorting them with a screwdriver.
Click to expand...

Right, I usually use a screwdriver if I dont have a spare switch layin around. I grabbed some switches from cases in the dumpster at work once, but I always seem to misplace them, lol. I love the DFI boards (and others now, too) that have onboard switches. Anyhow, yah, just touch the two pins with a screwdriver (be sure not to hit any other pins!!!) until you see the cpu fan spin. To turn it off, you do the same thing, or just flip the switch on the PSU (if it has one).
 
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