First timer problem

[alanjay]

Been involved in computers for awhile and building my first one. ran into my first problem already. I'm using an asus A&V333-X motherboard with a AMD 2100 xp chip. I put it all together with floppy, DVD drive, 40 gig HD. I made all the power and drive connections. When I try and start the machine nothing happens. doesn't start at all nada nothing. This MB has a light to show if the power source is on it is lit so the MB is getting juice. i disconnected and reconnected all the leds and the cables still nothing. any help would be gladly accepted.

Alan

[Sylvander]

Hello alanjay

You could use a copy of my Diagnostic Flowcharts [and also my document on the BIOS Setup].
Send me a personal message requesting them and giving an e-mail address to send them to.

Here’s one possible route through them:

START UP TEST
1. Is the PC dead? No.
2. Did POST appear to run? No.
3. Were there any audible beeps? No
4. The Power-On Self-Test failed to complete. [NO POST]

NO POST
1. Are the PSU voltages correct? [Check them if you can. If they are not you may have a faulty PSU.] Assuming they ARE ok then:
2. Disconnect all peripherals and system adaptor cards except the keyboard and video card/monitor.
3. Does the POST now run? If it doesn’t then your system board [or something on it (video card, CPU, memory)] is faulty. If it does run then:
4. Go into the BIOS and check that the settings appear ok and appropriate for your hardware. In particular set all the drives to “Auto” so as to “Dynamically Auto-Detect and Configure” the drives at every startup.
5. Re-connect the floppy disk drive, restart and run advanced diagnostic software from a floppy disk. Get “TuffTest-Lite” from http://www.tufftest.com/free.htm, or better if you can. This is simple and basic.
6. Does the system board pass? If not then it is faulty. If it does pass then:
7. Switch of and re-connect ONE peripheral/adaptor card.
8. Does POST now run? If it doesn’t this last device connected is faulty and should be disconnected. If it does run the device should be tested using the diagnostics and if it fails is faulty and should be disconnected. If it passes it's ok and should be included.
9. Repeat from step 6 until all devices are tested, all faulty are excluded and all working are included, then re-test the system.

You didn't mention the memory or the HDD jumpers.
Do you think they are ok?

[Budfred]

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

If you are not getting any POST, it is likely that there is a problem with the motherboard and/or the CPU. This could be as simple as something wrong with the way you installed the CPU or a short or it could be as serious as a dead board or CPU. Some motherboards are coming these days with the Clear CMOS jumper set in the clear position, check that first. Usually the first step after that would be to disconnect everything except the power, CPU, video, one stick of RAM and keyboard. Try it with this minimal configuration and see what you get.

If you still get nothing, take the motherboard out of the case with the CPU on it, put it on a piece of cardboard (or other nonconductive surface) and test it. If it still doesn't work, check to make sure that the CPU is properly installed and the heatsink/fan is set up properly and plugged into the motherboard. If this doesn't make any difference, you probably have a bad motherboard and/or CPU and the only way I know to test them is to use a known good mobo and CPU to swap...

If it works outside the case you probably have a short and you need to find it to install properly in the case. Post back if you need help with that.

[ErnieK]

Sylvander
Hope you don't object but have re-posted your link as the one you posted has a , on the end of it and comes up not found

TuffTest Lite
http://www.tufftest.com/free.htm

[Sylvander]

Indeed I don't Ernie!

You deserve my thanks.

I wonder where that came from?
I'm sure I didn't type it in.
The original address would be copied [and pasted] from the address bar after successfully reaching the correct web page.

I must have been in a bit of a rush, because I usually test the URL's myself to make sure they work.

[alanjay]

Just wanted to thank you all for the help. I pulled the MB as directed above placed on cardboard and nothing happens. I then removed the power lead from the MB to the case used a screw driver to jump the 2 pins and everything worked fine. Unless I'm wrong or my thinking is bad (which is often the case) the problem seems to be the switch in the case. any other ideas?

[Budfred]

I think you have a bad CPU or motherboard there. If you get a light on the motherboard when you press the power switch, the power switch is probably ok. Unless you can find a missed connection or the CMOS Clear jumper is in the wrong place, it is likely that the CPU and/or motherboard is shot.

The only way I know to tes this is with another compatible system with a known good CPU and mobo. You can test the other CPU in your mobo and you can test your CPU in that mobo.

Edit:

I just reread your last post and I think I missed something. When you say everything worked fine, you mean the computer did POST and booted? If so, then the switch or the way you connected the lead to the mobo is the problem. I would make sure you are connecting it properly before trying to replace it. Also, make sure you didn't connect the Reset lead rather than the Main switch lead to the pins on the mobo.

[alanjay]

Here's what I did. The light on the MB shows that the Power unit is on this light goes on or off when I turn the main power supply ON or OFF. here's step by step what I've done.

1. attached all wires from the case to the MB when I attempted to start the computer I got nothing (cpu fan, Video card fan did not rotate)none of the drives started.

2. was told I could have a short between case and MB. Another post stated to remove MB place it on a cardboard box not touching the case
with the power supply still attached I did this with power lead still in place (all other cables removed). I carefully examined the lead to make sure it was correct. When I attempted to power up again nothing fans did not turn nothing.

3. I then removered the power lead wire from the MB. Someone told me to carefully place a screwdriver between the 2 pins that the power lead from the case connects to the MB and touch both pins. When I did this cpu fan started Video card fan started and machine went to post.

4. My conclussion at this point is that the switch is bad. Now my conclussion may be flawed thats the reason I posted...LOL

thanks for any additional info you guys can give me.

Alan

[Budfred]

Well, yeah, the switch is bad, or the lead from the switch to the board is bad, or you are using the wrong lead, or you are placing the lead on the pins wrong. Now that you have establish that the computer itself is sound, you need to determine if it is a bad switch or if one of the other options is to blame. This is by process of elimination. If it is the switch, you can either replace it or RMA the case and get one with a good switch....

[alanjay]

Just wanted to thank you all for the help. I returned the case now everything is working fine. The machine is done and my kids are loving it.

Alan

[Budfred]

Congratulations and thanks for letting us know!!!:) :cool: :)