First build, no video but everything else peachy

[duck_duck_goose]

I've just finished my first build, following specs:

M/B: PCChips M963GV
CPU: Pentium4 2.8 478 512K 130NM
Video Card: HIS Radeon 9250 128MB PCI
PSU: Lotustronics ATX-300SD
Monitor: Samsung 920N

Like said in the title, everything works (fans, leds, cd-rom, floppy), but no video output. Well, technically, I'm not sure yet if sound and other stuff works but that's a different story.

I was originally thinking the power supply might be the problem, because I took it out of a case that ended up not working out, and put it in this one. But that doesn't make much sense, because it's powering everything else just fine. Yes, the monitor is on :D

Anyone have an idea?

Edit: Oh, might I add that there's a jumper on a three pin connector on my video card. I can't find documentation on what it does. Maybe I need to change it...

[blue60007]

Try this if you haven't already:
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

[duck_duck_goose]

With all due respect, before I hassle with this, why should it matter whether the components are inside or outside of the case? Can I just disconnect everything that it says not to connect? Do you think this will reveal my video problem? I've made sure everything is well-seated.

[toolowdown]

well the reason blue said try the out of case build is because it could be shorting in the case and its also easier to figure out the problem. you should always build out of case before putting in case.

[Freakitchen]

It's actually very important to take the board out of the case. A short would cause the problems you're seeing.

When you say "everything else works fine" - if the system is not POSTing, then it really isn't. All working fans prove is that power is getting to the motherboard. This doesn't even rule out a defective power supply, either.

If when the system is built out of the case, with the minimum of components as described, you still don't get a display, then you're looking at a faulty component.

FK

[duck_duck_goose]

Ok, system built out of case following those instructions. It's not powering up when I "short the power switch connector". I guess I have a faulty component?

[newbuilder14]

But it was powering inside the case? Where is the motherboard? Put it on the retail motherboard packaging box.

[Cricket]

Ok, system built out of case following those instructions. It's not powering up when I "short the power switch connector".It's not powering up (nothing works) or it's not POSTing (system appears to start up but nothing on the monitor)?

Are you sure you're touching to right pins on the motherboard front panel connector?

Since it's a PC Chips motherboard, check to see if the clear CMOS jumper is on the CLEAR or NORMAL pins. It should be on the NORMAL pins, not the CLEAR.

Looking at the specs it looks like you were on a very tight budget...the motherboard and the power supply are likely suspects for your problem as they're very low quality products.

:) Cricket

[duck_duck_goose]

The motherboard is on a piece of cardboard. The CPU, heatsink, RAM, and video card are attatched to the M/B. the monitor is connected to the video card and the wall outlet. The power supply is connected to the motherboard (both the main power and the +12V CPU Vcore power cord), and to the wall outlet. When I touch the metal of a screwdriver to both power switch pins at the same time, nothing happens. And yes, it was powering up using the power switch on the case.

Response to Cricket:

It's not powering up whatsoever.

I am sure I'm touching the right pins.

and yes, the clear CMOS jumper is on NORMAL.

Should I just invest in a better motherboard and psu, and see if that works? I am indeed on a very tight budget here.