New Build Powers Up But No Display

[CoolVaughan]

So I just finished my first build but I had help from a PC tech guy so I think we did things pretty much correctly. I can turn the power on fine and hear things working.

The DVD drive opens and the light comes on.
The green power light which is connected to my MOBO lights up fine.
The hard drive spins.
The video card fan spins
The fan in the PSU works fine.
The memory begins to feel warm after about five minutes so i suspect they have power.

The only problem is that nothing shows up on the monitor I am connected to.

The motherboard has no on-board video card and my 8800GT only has DVI outputs, my new LCD monitor doesn't arrive until tomorrow so I was running an old CRT with the converter that comes with the video card.

My Specs.
MoBo: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66GHz
PSU: Ultra X-Finity 600W
Video: EVGA GeForce 8800GT (512MB DDR3, PCI-E 2.0, DX10, OpenGL 2.0)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC2-6400 800MHz 240-pin DDR2
HD: Seagate 500GB 3.5-inch SATA II

What can I do to find out what is wrong with this system, does anyone have troubleshooting ideas?

[liambl]

That Ultra PSU is dodgy, they have a high failure rate and do not output the rated power and my not be properly powering the PC, especially with hardware you have. But try this Out of case troubleshooter (http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=168456) to identify if the problem is the motherboard shorting with the case. The motherboard must be removed from the case to do this. If the PC still fails to boot after performing this, RMA the Ultra PSU and get a quality brand like FSP.

[CoolVaughan]

I went with the Ultra because I picked it up for about $15 after a mail in rebate. I will check out that troubleshooting guide and get back to you tomorrow.

[liambl]

It always pays not to go cheap on the PSU. The PSU is usually an afterthought while building a PC yet it is the most important part. Never get a cheap PSU. I once read an article where a they bought a Chiefmax "650w" PSU for $20. It blew up when connected to a PC requiring only 180w.

[catacon]

Try the troubleshooter that liambl linked. That will tell us if the board was just shorting out to the case or if a part is bad.

[CoolVaughan]

I think I just realized what the problem is. I do not have a 4 PIN 12 volt connector coming out of the power supply at all. The box and Ultra's website both state that one is included. If this is not plugged into the mobo, would that cause the computer to not start? The 24 PIN connector to the motherboard is there and plugged in.

[shadowpr]

You would definately need the 4pin connected.

[CoolVaughan]

Well, I think we can ignore that last post because it looks like the 4 pin is actually snapped onto the side of the 20 pin mobo connector. My motherboard has a 24 pin connecter and a seperate 4 pin connector. Should i disconnect the 4 pin from the 20 pin and plug it into it's own 4 pin slot on the mobo?

[shadowpr]

No, you need both, the 24 pin and the 4 pin. The 4 pin should get plugged in closer the the cpu and provides that 2with power.

[CoolVaughan]

The 24 pin that came with this power supply is merely a 20 pin and a 4 pin that is snapped together. I called up Ultra and they told me to disconnect them and plug them in seperately. I just tried the out of box build, the fan started spinning on the video card and I could hear the monitor click on but it didn't seem to have enough time to display anything before the power died.

[shadowpr]

It sounds like it's time to get a good power supply.

[flanzig1]

Sounds like you have an older ATX 1 PSU which isn't compatible with your build. What you need is an ATX 2.0 version, this will have the 24 pin or 20+4 pin main connector AND a second 4 pin for the CPU power. It will also have the correct connectors for SATA and PCI-E video card connections.
A quality unit like the Corsiar 520HX will power that system nicely but it will cost you for a Quality PSU.

[catacon]

I believe he has a ATX2.0 PSU if this (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-detailsInactive.asp?Sku=ULT31847) is the one. If you don't have a connector, send it back and get a good PSU.

[liambl]

There must be have been a mistake in the PSU's construction, and thier technical support. The 4pin cable that goes on it own will have 2 black and 2 yellow wires. The cable attached to the main plug will have 1 black, 1 orange, 1 yellow and 1 red wire. Make sure it's now tied up near the PSU with a cable tie or rubber band. If there isn't one in sight get rid of that PSU and get a good one, all PSU's since the Pentium 4 had the 4pin CPU power. I'm surprised Ultra support said to use the 20+4 4 pin one there.

[CoolVaughan]

I believe he has a ATX2.0 PSU if this (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-detailsInactive.asp?Sku=ULT31847) is the one. If you don't have a connector, send it back and get a good PSU.

This is exactly the one I have, if you look on the diagram of available connections, the third one in I do not have. I guess I will call Ultra back tomorrow, any suggestions on what to say to get an RMA quickly? I don't want some guy trying to tell me to disconnect the 4 extra pins from the 24 pin shown on the far left of that diagram like happened today.

Oh and I have no idea about colors because every wire coming out of the PSU is coated in shiny silver.

[shadowpr]

If you bought it from Newegg, just tell them it's missing the connector. Newegg should be good about that.


Personally, I would return it for a refund, and get a better psu all together.

[CoolVaughan]

If you bought it from Newegg, just tell them it's missing the connector. Newegg should be good about that.


Personally, I would return it for a refund, and get a better psu all together.


I bought the PSU back in May, don't really think I can get a refund for it this late into the game.

The CPU is extremely hot and is smoking. I am guessing it's dead?

[liambl]

The CPU is extremely hot and is smoking.Do you have a heatsink installed? You didn't do what Ultra said, taking the 4pin off the main plug and using it in the seperate 4 pin plug did you? If you did, that could explain the smoking. And yes the CPU will be dead and possibly the motherboard.

[CoolVaughan]

Yes unfortunately I did do what Ultra told me.

I just received a new CPU and got it installed, once again I followed the instructions on the bare bones build outside of the case. When I touched the two power pins, the fans on the video card and the heat sink both started up. Once again, nothing showed up on the display.

I believe my next option is to get a new motherboard, is this correct?

[nicolaus corelius]

well the precedure has to be followed first. you have to check all four parts. psu, cpu(its new so skip that one) ram and mobo. in all probability its the mobo. but ill check the ram too.

[thefoolio]

Well, im not sure but this could be the same problem that i had. i bought a new graphics card and after installing it. the connected monitor would'nt display anything, what apparently happened was that the card wasn't touching all the connectors so i removed it then reinstalled then it work so just try that i guess never hurts.