I have a Intel P4 Mobo that I’m trying to get to boot-up for the first time. This is what happens. I have compatible ram (all slots filled), a working video card (tested on other comp), and a working CPU chip (tested on other comp). Ok….there’s three places to plug power into from the power supply to the mobo. One’s a 3 prong plug-in, another is a 6, and the other is a 20. In doing so with all three plugged in only a little green light lites up in the center of the board but no fans turn (no boot-up). When I unplug the main plug-in (the 20) and plug it into a ATX power tester (leaving the other two plugged into the mobo, I get the fans to spin (video fan and cpu fan), and the light on the tester comes on to show that my power supply is good. As soon as I plug it back into the mobo the fans stop spinning. I have taken the mobo out of the case now….just to make sure it wasn’t a grounding problem, but that didn’t seem to change anything.

Anyone have anyideas as to why this is happening?
Thanks,
Stealth

Do you have the four-prong 12volt lead plugged in?

Do you have a heatsink fan that's plugged into the power supply via a 4-pin molex? If so, you will need to either use a fan with a 3-pin lead or get an adapter with a 4-pin for power and a 3-pin lead. Plug the 3-pin lead into the CPUFAN header on the motherboard.

Lots of times, until you can get into BIOS to change it, the setting for CPU Fan Detection is enabled and if the fan is not plugged into the CPUFAN header, the board won't boot.

My apologies, the 3 prong that I mention is actually a 4 prong, and it is a 12volt lead plug-in. The CPU fan plug-in just has 3 little wires that plug-into a connector on the mobo. Unfortunately I can’t get into the BIOS since it won’t boot yet.

Stealth
:confused:

Ok, so the CPU fan is plugged into the CPUFAN header on the motherboard.

I'm not sure what that six-prong connector is for. Have you tried to boot up without plugging it in?

Also, have you checked underneath the CMOS battery for a piece of cardboard or paper? Sometimes the manufacturer will insert something between the battery and the contacts to save on the life of the battery.

Also, there should be a Clear CMOS jumper on the board. Check your manual to find the appropriate one. Make sure the shunt is on pins 1 and 2, which is for Normal operation. Shorting pins 2 and 3 is what clears the CMOS.

Have you tried to clear the CMOS? Check your manual and give that a shot. Make sure to unplug the power cord from the power source before you do this. Once unplugged, hold the power button on the front of the case in until all fans and everything power down. Residual power will run them for a couple of seconds. Then short pins 2 and 3 on the appropriate jumper for a few seconds. Then put the shunt back on 1 and 2, plug the machine in and try to boot.

Let us know what happens.

Additionally, for now, try booting with just one stick of RAM.

Thanks for all the feedback Blue, I have tried all that you mention with unfortunatly no luck. But the advise was very good, I'll have to remember it when I have problems in the future with other boards. I'm not sure what's going on with the on I have now.......it just seems so weird that all my fans spin when it's plugged into the ATX power tester and then stops when plugged to the board.


Stealth