custom built computer will not power up

[urban sheriff]

Hi everyone.

I just got all the parts in for my computer, but I'm stuck. I've attached the motherboard to the case, and attached the two power supply cables to the motherboard. I've also attached a PW SW cable from the case to the motherboard. This is all the cables attached at the moment, and my computer will not boot up. (Question: Will computer still boot up without hard drive? If not, I have a WD SATA that I had attached at one point, and I still could not boot up)

The LEDs on the motherboard light up, but when I press the power button on the case, nothing happens.

ASUS Crosshair III Formula AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor

CORSAIR TX Series CMPSU-950TX 950W power supply

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Hard drive is WD SATA.

Video Card: None in the case now, but I have an unopened Radeon 4890 if needed.


I feel like my CPU isn't working. Could this be the proper diagnosis, or have I overlooked a step?

[PrntRhd]

Start by removing it from the case and do a barebones boot on a sheet of cardboard.
http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=39685

Then you start to diagnose from POST.

[urban sheriff]

Thanks for the link. I will definitely try this method once I get home tonight.

[urban sheriff]

I forget to mention:

The CPU fans won't even turn on, but the motherboard's LCDs light up.

[urban sheriff]

I finally got the computer to boot up - but now there is another problem! I can't get the computer turned on all the way. I connected the case cables to the motherboard correctly, I think... HD led, POWER SW, RESET...


Those are the components currently plugged in. Right now, I can get the computer booted, but the video/keyboard/mouse are not lighting up or responding. I am not hearing any error beeps.

I think it is a problem with either my case, power supply, or connecting the cables to the motherboard correctly.

What could I be doing wrong?

[urban sheriff]

My POWER SW/RESET SW/HD LED lights are in the correct pins for the ASUS Crossfire III motherboard, and the LCD poster lights up and says "DET DRAM"

But my reset button on the case doesn't work, mouse and keyboard do not light up or respond, and monitor does not either.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

"DET DRAM"

Detecting DRAM

What RAM? There isn`t any in your list. Is there a case speaker or perhaps one built onto the mobo? Do you hear any beeps?

[urban sheriff]

Sorry, I forgot to mention the RAM. And thanks for the reply.

I have one stick of 2 GB DDR3 ram in now, in a random slot.

There is a wire coming from the case that says HD audio, but I can't find where that plugs into. I have a sound card and speakers connected, but I don't hear any beeps now.

Is it safe to eliminate the possibility of a faulty CPU or mobo?

-edit

Not sure if there is a speaker on the motherboard. My mouse and keyboard are USB- if that matters.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Is it safe to eliminate the possibility of a faulty CPU or mobo?

Not until you can complete a successful P.O.S.T which should produce a beep. Try to boot after removing the one RAM module. If working properly, you should get several beeps or an alarm type of sound from the case or mobo speaker.

Did you do the barebones boot as directed? Yes or no. The sound card should be removed when trying on cardboard.

[urban sheriff]

I did a bare bones boot and shorted the mobo pins to power on, and I still did not hear a beep. I tried this with nothing but the cpu/heatsink/fans, two power inputs from the PSU to the motherboard, and RAM removed. The keyboard/mouse/monitor did not respond.

The LCD display still said "DET DRAM" even after I removed the RAM and powered up.

I think my motherboard is broken, but it's brand new out of the box.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Is this the right mobo?

One review mentions an older BIOS version that does not support your processor. Which version is yours?

[urban sheriff]

That is my motherboard. However, I'm almost positive that it should support my processor. It even says it can on the box.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103727

Note: I can't even get the screen to display BIOS, and the mouse and keyboard still don't even light up. Also note that I have the newer 125W CPU, not the original 140W.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

There are 9 BIOS versions for that mobo. Please find either on the box, manual or silkscreened (prefer this way) on the mobo itself, what version # you have.

Can you borrow a ps/2 keyboard and mouse if there are connections for them? Have you tried the onboard switches?

You need to attach a case speaker in order to be able to hear if the POST is trying to tell you something. See attachment:

[sassie05]

Try pressing the MemOK switch on the MOBO. The manual does not really state when to do this, but I would try when you get that reading of "DET RAM" on that LCD Poster. While still doing a bare bones.

[urban sheriff]

I really appreciate all the replies.

Ted, I had trouble finding the model number of my motherboard. However, the website says that my CPU is supported (check under CPU support list, second CPU from the last).

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=2Y4dQFaJ6gPN18cQ

Also, what do you mean by onboard switches? Sorry. And I will try the ps/2 mouse and keyboard ASAP- however, this does not explain the monitor not working.

I don't believe my case has a case speaker. (Antec Twelve Hundred)

sassie, thanks but I've tried that.

[urban sheriff]

Ted, thank you. I just called the motherboard manufacturer and apparently it was not updated with the latest bios for my 125v Phenom IIx4. I've sent it off, but it'll take a couple weeks. :-(