First build... major problems

[LullTheConqueror]

Alright...
I finally got all my computer parts in yesterday, let it warm to room temperature, and put it all together. The first time I started it up, it worked fine. Then I started installing Windows XP, and it froze in the middle of the install. Fine, I thought, I'll restart it. So I did, and the BIOS told me there was a problem with the front-side bus setting, even though I knew it should be set to 100. So I restarted again. Nothing.
The fans spun, the hard drive LED came on, and everything acted like it was working just fine... except there was no POST. No beeps, no error codes, nothing. The monitor wouldn't even wake up. I went in and I disconnected everything but the power supply, the power switch, the speaker, and the fans, and I made absolutely sure everything was plugged in all the way. Still nothing. Fans spun and everything, but I didn't get any beeps at all. So I tried it again with just the video card, and yet again the monitor just wouldn't wake up. This is extremely aggravating because not only is there something seriously wrong, I have no idea how I can find out exactly what it is.
A little information... I have an ASUS P4T mobo with a Pentium 4 1.8 GHz processor. It's Award BIOS, but I don't know what version. The power supply is a generic 300W ATX supply. Disconnecting everything else has led to believe the problem is with the mobo, something on it, or the power supply, but I really have no idea. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[DUSTIN]

i'm not exactly sure, but you should try this link...i think it might help.
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12753

[highrisemech]

Try resetting your cmos by jumper or removing the battery then re-installing it then try to boot.
Once in the bios set up set up your cpu soft menu save and exit.

[DDeRek]

Is this "generic" PSU an ATX 12v P IV power supply? ATX 12V is different from your general ATX PSU. See the thread "P4 power supplies" in Hardware.

[old dog]

Had a similar problem with the new build i just put together. A celeron using the retail HS&F with (and i know better but its just a little system for the kids)the thermal tape between the CPU and heatsink. All was going well untill it locked up, when i was finally able to get back into the bios the cpu temp was still at 78C. I'm waiting on the Artic silver to be delivered and hoping that the CPU isnt toast, however i'm not holding my breath. Loading the OS and other intensive software really put's a strain on the CPU and overheating is the result, at least in my case.

old dog

[HAL9000]

Don't worry about your CPU old dog. While 78'C is hot, it will take a lot more than that to kill an Intel CPU. I forgot to plug in a fan on a machine at work and ran it for quite some time before discovering that it was running in the mid 80'C range. Intel CPU's are thermally protected and will shut down first.

[azscary]

Personally I believe the error lies in choosing XP as an OS.

I could be wrong.

[DDeRek]

I don't have ANY experience with XP(some might say that's a good thing), azscary, how could it produce the symtoms LTC is referring to? I'm sure I'll have to deal with it sooner or later, seeing how everybody just loves the MS hype. I think that most people with XP installed are in denial or afraid of losing face, but like I said that's just hearsay. Any opinions or info on this anyone?

[azscary]

I have heard several people who said that XP would freeze on the install and then the hard drive started acting weird. I do not know why but that is what I see. However, having said that, It does put a LOT of stress on CPU, memory and PSU when you do an install. XP might just be more intense and a previously undetected problem rears its ugly head at the install.

DDeRek Is this "generic" PSU an ATX 12v P IV power supply? ATX 12V is different from your general ATX PSU. See the thread "P4 power supplies" in Hardware.

That P4 1.8G processor uses more voltage I would guess so you may also indeed have a PSU that decided to go south and could not handle the load of the install.

[LullTheConqueror]

Alright, I am now posting this from my brand-new, fully operational computer. I just want to thank everyone here for their help... it's very likely that without these forums I wouldn't have figured out the problem yet. Going to the link with the list of steps to take to troubleshoot a new build did the trick - it turned out something was shorting somewhere in my case. I managed to get it all figured out and she runs beautifully now.
Thanks again.