New build problems, all help appreciated.

[unlight]

Hey everyone. I've been reading this forum for a little while now and it's proven to be a great resource. I'm more of a lurker but alas, I have a problem with the PC I'm building as a Christmas present for my parents so I'm looking to the enlightened souls on here for a little help!

The spec for the simple PC I'm giving them is below:

Asus T2-AE1 (http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/95028/rb/23395025479) barebones case.
AMD Sempron 3000+ (SDA3000BXBOX) 64 Bit Architecture 1.8Ghz Skt 754
Kingston 512MB DDR PC3200 400MHz CL3 Memory Module
Western Digital WD800JB Cavier SE 80Gb 7200RPM 8MB Cache - OEM
NEC AD-5170A-0B 18xDVD±RW/RAM DL Black - Bare Drive

Despite only having a 200 watt PSU it's meant to be a gutsy little runner, with a nice case and small form factor. I knew the above spec would be plenty considering the sort of use it'd get. Fitting the parts was a doddle. However, when I turned it on for the first time my monitor remained blank, with it's green led flashing on and off just the same as when the PC was off. Removing the cable prompts a "Check Signal Cable" message. Obviously without being able to see the screen I can't tell how far it gets when starting up; I've read that the bios needs updating to recognise the Sempron processor, which after reading a post on the ASUS forums tried doing blind as recommended however after booting up and pressing Alt + f2 nothing happens, no sound or activity led flickering from the floppy, nothing. Maybe it's not getting far enough to even reach the floppy? From power on, the power and activity lights on the front of the case come on, plus the led on the mobo. The memory, DVD-RW and Harddrive have all been tested in my own PC and work. I also tried an old Geforce 4 card and it wouldn't show a display from that, either. I have an awful feeling that nothing much happens because the processor is dead.

I'm sorry that was such a stream of consciousness! I'd greatly appreciate any and all help; If I have to return parts it's no biggy but I'd like to have a fairer idea of things before I do so. Thanks in advance :)

[tetsuo]

I found this comment at the site I think you bought the mobo from: "If you follow the Qick Start booklet that comes with the PC, youll be putting the processor in wrong! The full guide on the CD-ROM is correct though."

Also "Quickstart guide tells you to put the AMD CPU in one way, then the Full guide downloaded from the website tells you to put the CPU in a different way, which one is correct! :O

Shame as the unit will not boot up, something has fried due to the crappy manual that came with it.

Never had a problem with Asus, but i think their tech guide writer needs a new career as a lawyer!!"


Which did you use?

[flanzig1]

Two things: Make sure the CPU is on correctly and tight. The other power connections/there may be an extra 4 pin (2x2) from the PSU to the motherboard that needs to be plugged in.

[unlight]

Hey Tetsuo and Flanzig, thanks for the quick replies!

Tetsuo, I used the guide on the cd-rom and so the cpu is fitted correctly. I broke the habit of a lifetime and read the manual fully before doing something, and not halfway through when I needed to like usual :D

Flanzig, the cpu is as snug as a bug in a rug. All power cables are accounted for and fitted securely. It's really got me stumped.

Without having a screen to look at I'd have a hard time saying what was going on when it started up, but if alt+f2 isn't getting it to copy from the floppy drive I suspect it's not even getting that far unfortunately.

[tetsuo]

Have you tried turning it on with nothing but the RAM, cpu, and monitor?

I am no expert, so disregard me at any point.

Right now I think the mobo is to blame since you can't get anything on the monitor.

[doubledragon5]

It could just be the power supply as well.. If you have one hanging around try that.. I just build my daughters pc and had the same problem.. Ended up with two bad psu....

[dogdude16]

if the mobo is being ground to the case then it wont turn on so did u [put the stand offs in right spots. check the manual to make sure and then try to turn it on

[unlight]

Have you tried turning it on with nothing but the RAM, cpu, and monitor?

I am no expert, so disregard me at any point.

Right now I think the mobo is to blame since you can't get anything on the monitor.

I've just tried that now and it's a case of same again. Lights on, fans spinning (including CPU cooler) but no display, no bleeps and no discernable activity that would suggest it's trying to start up. Expert or not I appreciate your help, thank you :)

It could just be the power supply as well.. If you have one hanging around try that.. I just build my daughters pc and had the same problem.. Ended up with two bad psu....

I have a spare PSU laying around, but it'll be upwards of twice the wattage of the current PSU. I'll be alright to use that won't I? It would seem the PSU itself is unique to the case and can only be swapped for like, if I have to replace it anyway. Not a big deal, mind. And thanks for your help too.

if the mobo is being ground to the case then it wont turn on so did u [put the stand offs in right spots. check the manual to make sure and then try to turn it on

The PC itself is a barebones unit consisting of case, motherboard and PSU, the latter two pre-fitted inside the former. It all looks fine to me. I know it's not a guarantee of anything but there's obviously some power getting through the mobo to run the cpu fan, etc. Thanks again :)

[tetsuo]

I believe the twice the wattage psu would be fine. I don't think you can have too much power, though it's easy to have not enough.

[doubledragon5]

No you won't have any problems, the more the better.. Come to think of it with that set up I would use nothing less than a good quality 300W.. Remember a poor quality psu can do some serious damage to your set up...

[unlight]

I've seen some really good spec systems running in these cases powered by the 200 watt psu so they can't be that bad, although I'm certainly aware of the notion that the more powerful, the better. I was just wondering whether with the motherboard expected to only run from that psu anything excessively past that would be bad for it. I suspect not though. I'll take heed of your advice in the morning and try the other psu. If that doesn't solve it I imagine I'll have to get a more experienced head to take a proper look at it, but thank you again for all your help. I'll post back in the morning about the psu, and once this problem gets solved. Ta :)