I've just built a PC from scratch. All components are brand new. I've gone through the mobo manual as thoroughly as my comprehension allows and have connected everything up so it should all be ready to go. However, when i turn it on it doesn't boot. All the LEDs come on, the fans come on, mobo LED indicator lights up. It doesn't seem to be a power problem. But it doesn't boot. Nothing comes up on the monitor (I've tried 2). Does anyone have any clues as to why it's not booting up and what possible solutions might be? I'm really itching to get this machine running so your help would be greatly, greatly appreciated. If you need any more info just ask and I'll post any info i have available.

Cheers,
Conchobbar.


Asus P4P800-E Deluxe (http://uk.asus.com/prog/spec.asp?m=P4P800-E%20Deluxe&langs=11)
P4 Prescott 3.0ghz
Crucial CT6464Z40B 512mb DDR 400MHz x2
Sapphire Atlantis Radeon 9800 PRO

First, disconnect everything, except the keyboard, monitor, and one stick of memory.
Switch on, and you should see the memory check on screen. If you still get nothing, remove the Motherboard from the case, and try booting with the board on a no conductive surface( piece of cardboard) If it works out of the case, check that there are no "spare" standoffs in the case causing a short somewhere.

If that works, connect the floppy drive, and try and boot with a Win98 boot disk.

If OK, connect the hard drive, and see if that is detected in the BIOS.

Carry on adding one thing at a time, until you find the problem device, or everything is installed OK.

you dont even see the bios screen? try testing your video card and monitor on another pc if possible.

If you have any cards like a Dial up Modem Card in place, you may want to take that out as well while you do a "bone-testing" of your computer.

If you get a display with just the power supply, MB, CPU, RAM, video card, KB, and monitor installed(barebones), then another card or one of the drives is causing the problem.
Reinstall/reconnect each card/drive one at a time until the problem resurfaces.
The last component installed is the culprit.

If you do not get a display with the above barebones configuration, then make sure everything is fully inserted and securely connected.
If ok, then clear CMOS either with a MB jumper, or by removing the CMOS battery for at least 30 minutes.

If no luck, then place the MB on a piece of cardboard, as suggested by Dave.
If there's a display, then remove all metal standoffs where there are no MB holes, and check for any loose metal objects in the case.
If those are ok, then place manila washers between the MB and the metal standoffs and their screws.

If there's no display with the MB on cardboard, then insert the RAM in different slots, one module at a time.
If a specific RAM module does not give a display, then it's bad.
If none of the RAM modules gives a display, then swap out the RAM.

If no luck, then swap out the video card.

If still no good, then swap out the power supply, CPU, and MB.

Thanks for all your advice, guys.

I've run just the barebones, no luck. I've placed the mobo on cardboard, no luck. I've tried the monitor and video card on a different computer, worked fine. I bought a better brand (which is on the approved vendors list for the mobo) of ram, still no luck. I reset the CMOS battery with a jumper, still no luck. I've tried the RAM in all available slots. It all still powers up, just doesn't display anything on the screen at all. I'll remove the CMOS battery altogether now and stick back in half an hour and let you know how it goes. Thanks again for all your suggestions, I'll let you know if i get it working tonight...

Conchobbar.

If you have a voltage meter, then check the CMOS battery for a 3V charge.
Or just try a different battery.

If no luck and the video card is fully inserted, then either the PS, MB, or CPU is probably bad.

Removing/replacing the CMOS battery didn't work. Unfortunately I have no way of testing the remaining components. I'll have to take it into a shop on the weekend. I'll let you know what the outcome is.

Can you just clarify that this is an agp graphics card? the motherboard doesn't have onboard video as well does it?


edit........
another thing to check is that the cmos battery is the right way up - some mobos ship with them upside down to keep their charge. don't know if asus do this, but it's worth a look.
Also check that the cmos jumpers are in the correct place (pins 1 and 2) - this is shown on page 42 of the user manual

Sorry, it is an agp card, there's no onboard graphics. And the CMOS battery only fits in one way, so it wasn't that either. Jumpers are in correct position. Don't know if maybe there are other jumpers on the board that need changing, but i couldn't find any of relevance when i went through them.

I'm having the EXACT same problem, i have tried everything.. its pretty frustrating.. i'm not even getting beeps.

I'm also getting mine checked out because i cant do it myself... if the mobo or cpu is faulty then will places replace them?

this is starting to get frustrating

I posted my situation a while back and there seems to be a silent consensus that I'm screwed as well. I might take it in to a shop soon. I just hate not being able to figure this stuff out on my own. :(

My CMOS is playing dead. Won't save any part of my settings. I've heard of a CMOS floppy boot that I may give a whirl before I scream Uncle.

My CMOS is playing dead. Won't save any part of my settings.
Have you tried a new CMOS battery?

I think that its either my MB or CPU is the problem... i'm guess its going to cost a little bit of money to RMA these parts? i've never rma'd anything before