No power to new computer

[OneSidedDice]

Hi everyone,
I'm in the process of assembling my first computer, and after putting everything in the case, I've been unable to power the machine up. I don't get any LEDs, beeps, etc.; pressing the power button doesn't accomplish anything.

The hardware I'm using is as follows:
Motherboard: ECS Elitegroup 945P-A v 1.1
Processor: Pentium 4 3 Ghz dual core
Video card: GeForce 6600 OC (512MB)
The power supply is a 500W PCI-E compatible supply.
RAM is two sticks of 1GB DDR2 667.

I've tried to narrow the problem down by using different power supplies. I've tried two other power supplies that have been verified to work in other machines, and still don't get power. Similarly, the power supply I bought for this machine does work in another computer, so I know that the power supply is not the issue.

I've also tried using the power button from a different case to no effect, so it seems like the case is not the problem.

Disconnecting the hard drive and CD drives doesn't help. Removing the RAM still produces no effect; I have searched through forums looking for similar problems and apparently the computer is supposed to beep if you attempt to boot it with no RAM, correct? I hear nothing.

I've also tried dismounting the motherboard and silding some foam under it to make sure it's not shorting out against the case, but this doesn't seem to help, either.

At this point, I suspect that I have a bad motherboard. Does anyone have some insights to offer? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!

[mjc]

Double check that all power connectors are properly connected (including any aux connectors for video cards, if needed).

Check to make sure any jumpers are in the proper position...especially the clear CMOS jumper.

Make sure that the fans are connected properly.

[jlreich]

Assuming you have working mobo or case speaker it should beep if no ram is found.

Make sure the power button is attached correctly. Also use a screwdriver to momentarily short the power button pins to make sure it is not a faulty power button

With what you have tried so far, yeah it is either the mobo or the CPU. If you are not getting the mobo LED to light up I would suspect the mobo.

And welcome to the PcGuide forums. :)

[OneSidedDice]

Thanks for the help.

The power connections and fans are hooked up correctly as near as I can tell, and the CMOS has two settings, normal and reset, and I have it set on normal.

jlreich, could you describe how to use a screwdriver to short the power button pins? Is it just a matter of bridging the pins with the tip of the screwdriver?

Thanks again!

[mjc]

Yes...that's all there is to it.

[jeckgo]

are you sure that there is power on your socket? just test it too... you should check all the cables....:) otherwise refer to the manual:) double check it:)

[deddard]

KISS principals - check the simple stuff :D
As mentioned above, check the socket outlet to ensure it is good (just plug something else in instead of the PC)
Check the cable - if it is a standard 'kettle' lead, and your monitor also has one, just plug the cable into the monitor and switch on - does the power LED come on? If not, it is a duff cable or fuse. (assuming it is a fused plug)

After that (the bit I'd check first actually!) look on the back of the PC's Power Supply - is there a switch? is there a slider switch to flip between 110 and 230V? sometimes it's the simple stuff that goes awry.

Check these and post back to us.

[OneSidedDice]

I've verified that the cable does work, since I've used it to power the other computer I was using to test my power supply. Similarly, the wall socket also works.

The switch on the power supply is set to on, and 115V.

I'm going to go in to Fry's today to see if I can exchange the motherboard for a different copy of the same board.

Thanks!