New Build Won't Post, and Fan problem

[Codename46]

Hey Guys.

I'm new to building computers and I just "finished" my first build. Well, I turned on the computer, and it won't even go through POST. Nothing even shows up on the screen. I'm pretty sure that I connected all the cables correctly (well, maybe or maybe not), and the motherboard I got didn't even have color-coded jumper pins. I was wondering if anyone knew what the source of the problem could be. It turns on, the fans spin, but it won't display anything on the graphics card. I know the card probably works because the monitor doesn't give me the "check connection" message when I plug in my VGA cable. Also my CD-Burner, when I turn on my computer, won't even eject out the tray when I press the eject button.

Also, just today, I noticed that the Fan made a really loud noise, the noise that a fan makes when its hitting something. I checked everything I could, and couldn't figure out whats causing it to be that way.

My Specs:

AMD Sempron 3100+ Socket 754
ChainTech K8T800 motherboard
256 MB PC2700 DDR RAM
120 GB IDE Hard Drive
52x CD Burner
64 MB Radeon 7000 graphics card.

 

[firewolfrl]

How is the CPU fan configured? The owners manual should have the pin configuration for the case wires.

Did you have any issues installing the CPU?

Do you have the 4 pin plug plugged in?

You should ask what you asked here for the support from Chaintech.

http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/eng/Support/HowToGetSupport.asp

Also check the webiste and see if the ram is compatible

http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/eng/product_spec.asp?MPSNo=13&PISNo=248

Other than that there is not much to go on.

 

[micker377]

The best start is to remove the motherboard and place it on the box it came in. Remove the power supply from the case (four screws). Plug in the power supply, CPU, one stick of memory, video card, monitor, and keyboard. Look in the manual and see what two pins the power switch goes to. Quickly touch the contacts with a small screwdriver. If it posts, then we will go from there. If it doesn't, you may have a serious problem. Don't give up!

 

[kestrel1]

Are you getting any post beeps?
If you aren't you could try another CMOS battery. I had a mobo supplied once that had a faulty battery, also check with the mobo manual to see if you have a BIOS reset jumper. If this is set to the wrong position, you will get no Post beeps etc.

 

[paparazi]

Have you checked:

That you haven't installed too many brass stand off posts either too many or one in the wrong position shorting the motherboard to ground (these mounting post must only align with the brite solder mounting points on the board, no other holes should be used, correctly centralized to minimize the risk of any post grounding the board.

That none of the earthing tags on the I/O backplate haven't inadvertantly gone into the lan/USB etc ports.

The the cmos clear jumper (if it has one) is in the "RUN" possition (clear this anyway)

That you haven't forgotten to connect the additional power connectors on the motherboard and graphics card (typically the extra P4 12V power but sometimes there may be others that require connection, check)

Orientation of IDE and floppy drive cables (red stripe to pin 1)

Jumper settings on Hard drive and CDrom devices properly configured master/slave

All power connectors fully pushed home, all cards and memory correctly installed and pushed properly in their slots.

Front panel wiring incorrect in someway

Front panel buttons stuck in or switch failure of some kind

Failure of some component or card preventing post ie: CDrom/Hard drive or addon card

Remove and refit the CPU

Possible power supply fault on one rail giving the appearance of power but will not post, try a replacement if you can.

Also note* if the is the latest "E" stepping 64bit Sempron you might need to flash the bios on the motherboard in order for it to recognise the CPU speed correctly.

Note* if using an old hard drive it is recommended that you clean install the operating system

Note* although what you have should work, this system would be better using PC3200 and not your PC2700, also 256mb is a bare minimum these days, 512 would be much better.

A strip to "bare minimum" is advisable, clear cmos pull off all IDE and front panel wires then start with a small flat blade screwdriver momentarily shorted across the pwr (power header) pins.

Martin








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[Codename46]

1) The CPU Fan's configuration was the same when I started building a week back. I changed nothing as far as I know, and it keeps sounding like its hitting something, making a weird rattling noise.

2)I have the 4-pin plug installed.

3)I don't THINK I had any issues installing the CPU. The pins all aligned correctly as far as I know. I only purchased all my hardware about 2 weeks ago, brand new.

4)Micker377, my motherboard's jumper pins aren't even color coded (which means I have to manually jumper). All the manual says is which direction is positive and which is negative, and the case I bought has only a black and white wire for the power-switch header cable.

5)Kestrel1, I'm not getting any post beeps at all, nor am I getting any display on the monitor. I think its because the CPU isn't getting any instruction or the mobo is faulty (it was a returned clearance mobo, so that may be my fault). However the techs at Micro Center (where I work) tested it and it was operational.

Paparazi:

1)Hmm I don't know if I used too many mounting screws. I guess I could try it with just 2 mounting screws if thats what you mean.

2)I haven't tried some of the other things you mentioned, so I'll try that tonight.

Thanks for the info guys. I guess I'll try stripping it down first and remove the CPU and put it back in. Keep posting I need all the help I can get. Thanks again!

 

[firewolfrl]

make sure you use Good CPU heet sink paste and remove the used paste (nail polish remover works in a pinch)
thin coating is the answer for better heat transfer
artic silver is the stuff I use.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

 

[ceh4702]

Start removing parts seeing what is causing the problem.

Sometimes you just have to clear the BIOS settings and start over. Usually there is a pin setting to clear the BIOS. Sometimes you have to remove the battery for about 20 minutes.


Make sure all of the mounting screws are being used. If you have a post that comes up underneath the board and it touches a circuit pathway on the bottom of the motherboard, then the motherboard could short out. The motherboard can use every mounting point/hole it has and that is preferred for stability. However, usually you have more mounting holes on the face plate the motherboard is mounted on than the motherboard needs.

The Video card may not be configured properly. Some video cards have a connector that has to connect to the power supply. Sometimes the parts that fit in slots like a PCI card or a video card or memory is in a slot with some corrosion or buildup on the contacts. Just pushing them in and pulling them out a couple of times can make better contact. Sometimes it is just the RAM sticking up a little or 2 I/O boards touching each other causing a short.

If this motherboard has a square Power supply socket on the motherboard you may need that conneced to the power supply. Some AMD motherboards have that square 4 pin power supply socket that use to be used only on P4 motherboards.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[paparazi]

Quote: Hmm I don't know if I used too many mounting screws. I guess I could try it with just 2 mounting screws if thats what you mean.

What I mean is All the brite solder mounting points on the motherboard should have a brass standoff post underneath them, normally 9 or 10 on a full ATX motherboard (although having some missing wouldn't actually cause a problem) but using all the mounting points properly means the motherboard is nice a rigid and unlikey to flex.
Also using sufficient earthing points minimise's eletrostatic interference/ build up.

Just be careful to make sure ALL these posts are central to the mounting hole (brite solder ring) and that the screws used don't interfere with the actual circuit when tightened (the heads are not too large as to catch the tracks on the PCB)

Martin


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Participate and help others.

 

[BadFrog]

(it was a returned clearance mobo, so that may be my fault)

I'm not saying this is your problem but I would strongly advise against doing that in the future, then again I wouldn't rule it out just yet either.

"Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy"
Albert Einstein

 

[firewolfrl]

you quoted " I think its because the CPU isn't getting any instruction or the mobo is faulty (it was a returned clearance mobo, so that may be my fault). However the techs at Micro Center (where I work) tested it and it was operational."

bring it to the techs and ask whats wrong.

 

[Klopmeister]

Make sure the bios clearance jumper hasn't been set to clear - the correct setting should be shown in the motherboard manual

 

[mainegeek]

Codename46,

"Also my CD-Burner, when I turn on my computer, won't even eject out the tray when I press the eject button."

If you don't have your drives connected properly then it will not POST. Check your ROM drive to see if it has the power plug connected or disconnect your all your drives entirely until you get the POST issue resolved.

 

[kestrel1]

With regard to the mobo stand off posts, You do need to make sure that you haven't placed one or more in a position that doesn't line up with a fixing hole on the mobo. If you do you could end up shorting out the mobo.
If your tech guys have checked the mobo, couldn't you get them to put it in the case & get it working for you.
I know this defeats the purpose of building your own, but if you haven't got thing just right you could be chasing your tail for ages, just trying to sort out this problem.

 

[fidleid]

Here is a tip from a guy who has been servicing electronics for 45 years. When you build a computer test it after each phase of installation. Do not totally assemble it and then turn it on. When I teach computer building I have the students assemble the computer on the bench, out of the case. Power it up with only the video card installed and the memory installed. If it comes up and you see errors and it says it is looking for a keyboard or hard disk you know the mobo is working, the power supply is working, the memory is working and the video is working (in some form) Next add the hard disk and restart. If it finds the hard disk add the CD and so on. move through sound card, modem, nic etc one card at a time.