This newbie computer builder needs help!

[FamStars&Straps]

That's what I did, it wasn't working at all when I had the arrow pointed at the negative side, so I switched all of them and it turned on but then it dies like I explained above. I've tried taking everything out but the motherboard, RAM, and Fans. Still does the same thing, I've also checked and rechecked the power button cords.

Is there anything else that I'm missing?

[ratman3]

Make SURE the CPU and RAM sticks are in all the way then

[crashburn181]

It sounds like a connection problem..... if you have a power supply tester you could do that or have it tested by someone...... also make sure you fan in the power supply box is comming on...

[magnoon]

Here is one more thing to check out. Most ATX power supplies have a switch on the back that that will select 115V or 230V (sometimes 120V and 240V). Look at your powersupply and see if you have this switch. I looked at two different 400 watt ATX power supplies available at CompUsa one had this switch visible in the picture the other did not.

If you have one with this switch check and make sure it is in the proper position. ATX power supplies have overcurrent and undercurrent protection built into them. In either an over or under current situation exists when the power supply is turned on it will begin to operate, sense the improper Voltage and shut down. If you have the switch and it appears to be in the correct postion toggle it back and forth anyway to make sure it is all the way in postion.

I once spent a couple of hours troubleshooting a system with these symptoms and it was that dang little switch.

Good luck.

[FamStars&Straps]

It had a 115 and 230 setting, tried it on both, and still did the same thing. The light on the motherboard is on so it is getting power. And I have checked and rechecked the POWERLED and such cords. Bah, I'm about to kick the box in.

[Wickdgin]

Forgive me if you have already checked this... From my experience working in a computer shop, the problem you have described most commonly occured due to either bad ram, or ram installed wrong (i.e. backwards, not in all the way, etc). The other person I worked with wasn't all there, and wouldn't install the ram right every once in a while.

[FamStars&Straps]

Yeah it could be the RAM, I had quite are hard time getting it in there. I had to use almost my entire body weight to get it to click in, and in the process bending one of the sticks slightly. Could this be my problem that has haunted me for 2 days now?

[Und3ertak3r]

Yeah it could be the RAM, I had quite are hard time getting it in there. I had to use almost my entire body weight to get it to click in, and in the process bending one of the sticks slightly. Could this be my problem that has haunted me for 2 days now?

mmmme thinks you may have a bit more that a faulty ram stick.. if you had to use that much force.. mmmmmmmm... also how much force did you use cliping the CPU heatsink/fan on with...
I have seen good Motherboards - CPU's and RAM die because of a little too much force in the wrong place.. in the words of old.. "If it don't fit.. don't force it..just relax............" and have a think about what is happening..

Cheers..

[paladin]

Hi FamStars&Straps ,

The reason could be

a) short circuit
b) loose connection
c) Not enough power for cpu


Get back to basic .

1) Unplug

- Western Digital Hard drive, 7200RPM 40GB
- TDK CD-RW
-keyboard
- mouse

if you have two memory stick (just use one)

all you fan should be running and you should see something on your screen

if you dont see anything

2)get your mother board manual and read it !

if you've got software enabled settings for your motherboard, use your bios and reduce the speed or set to auto detect the cpu speed.

if its manual, use the settings shown on your motherboard manual.Always try using lower settings and get it working first.

only add

- Western Digital Hard drive, 7200RPM 40GB
- TDK CD-RW


after you can see -bios load up on your screen.

The other reason could be your memory stick is not pushed in properly !

I dont think it is a faulty memory stick because , the cpu will normally work and and you'll get lots of crap on your screen and the system tends to jam up.

when building a computer, you got to build it step by step and test it as you go along.

If you put everything together expect it to work, you,ll need a miracle to fault find it.I learnt it the hard way.


good luck

paladin

[Onager]

I had a very similar problem in two systems I built, and both were due to a short circuit (What can i say, i'm a slow learner =). The way to test this is to pull the motherboard out of the case and stick it on a non-conductive surface (If the motherboard came in an anti-static bag, this is handy) and plug only the power supply and the power button in.

Then trying powering it up, and see if the fan spins properly. If it does, then you probably have a short somewhere. Check the mounting of the motherboard in the case (screws or metal spacers in the wrong places) and try again.

Hope that helped
-Onager