Computer won't POST

[muzzlerat]

Athlon 2000+
A7V-333-X
512Mb Crucial DDR 333
120Gb Maxtor HD
Creative GeForce2
Creative Live! Sound
Enermax 300W PSU
Volcano 9+ HSF


I have built the above computer, but it won't boot up, or POST. There are no system beeps. The motherboard LED lights up. When I press the power button the fans spin for about a second, then lose power again.
I have stripped the machine right down to the motherboard, graphics card, one memory module, CPU/HSF. Still the problem remains. I installed a new motherboard thinking I had damaged the old one, same problem. Same with the processor. I have tried using the computer in different rooms thinking the power outlet was faulty, also using different power leads, and a different power supply unit. I have tried to use the machine with / without a Thermaltake shim with no success. Memory, motherboard and processor appear physically undamaged. I have also tried powering up the system through the reset button, thinking the original power button was damaged. Still no luck.


Any ideas?

 

[mainegeek]

Hello Muzzlerat,
You may have an extra "Stand-Off" under the motherboard that
is causing a short. It may be worth pulling the board again and checking for this.

 

[Bozz]

Try:
Another video card.

Is the clear CMOS jumper set.

Clear the CMOS and then reset the jumper.

I'm not familiar with the board but if it's jumperless you should be OK. If not check your jumper settings. Don't forget that the 2000+ doesn't run at that speed in Mhz.

Is the fan plugged into the CPU header, some Mb's won't boot if no fan is detected.

I'd probably use a higher wattage PSU for that kit but if everything else is unplugged then that shouldn't be a boot issue.

Borrow a CPU that you know works and try it, that way you know if it's your CPU faulty or not.

Sorry if I've stated the obvious, just trying to be thorough. Good luck.

Ian Boys
DTE Systems Ltd

 

[fred45]

hi there,

seeing that you used a different mb and get same problem,
maybe you should check if the power button in your case is sticking in the "ON" position.

this may be the cause why the power to come on and then shut down again after a few seconds.

if that isn't the cause, try clearing the cmos with it's jumper and then try booting.

 

[illusion]

Rebuild the puter again, add one module at a time, reset CMOS. It appears you have a configuration problem.

Also make sure your IRQs are properly assigned to the specific hardware and all drivers are installed.
Take it easy this time. Do one thing at a time, restarting the puter after each task would help indicate where the problem is.

Good luck.

illusion. In him, i live. In him, i move. In him i know i can do anything. In him i have my being.

 

[oldbear]

I think Bozz may have the answer...many new motherboards are shipped with the bios jumper in the "clear bios" position instead of the "normal" position. See if yours has that problem. In the hundreds of computers I have been in or built, I find that tearing the system down to it's basic element...pull the power supply out of the case, put the motherboard on a non-grounding surface add just the video card...connect the keyboard and mouse and the cpu fan as was mentioned by one of the other gentlemen and take a spare plastic coated jumper to turn on the power using the "power on" jumper that you normally short when the motherboard is installed in the case. All the hints people have given are good things to look for but there is a lot to be said for isolating your system from any possible shorts. Also I think one of the previous persons said to use a power supply with enough power...great idea...I too have had instances where a power supply can't handle the power requirements and the motherboard will not turn on.