Please HELP!!! New build with issues.

[tsweeks]

Hey all, I have a problem. I am building a gaming pc for a friend and have all of the components installed. I power up the PC and I get no video output at all. I also notice that the keyboard and usb mouse are not responding (numlock light nonresponsive and laser mouse). I have the keyboard plugged into the motherboard as usual. All the fans are running including the fan on the video card. The PC is composed of an Nvidia 7800 GTX PCI Express, Intel Dual core P4, dvd-rom, 2gigs DDR2 and 160gig HD. Any ideas? I have built a few systems, but never faced this type of issue. I am also using a Gigabyte Dual core motherboard and a 420 watt power supply. Thanks in advance for any help.

[tsweeks]

As I am a newb here, I just saw Hal9000's post and will try assembling the base components outside case to test for faulty component and will post results.

[tsweeks]

Tried Hal's idea and get same problem no video.

[blue60007]

What brand power supply is this? Is it an ATX 1.x or a 2.0? (Does it have a 20 pin power connector with an adapter, or a 24 pin power connector for the motherboard?)

How fast is that processor?

If this power supply is one that came with a case, than it's probably cooked already. Power supplies bundled with most cases are cheap quality, and won't stand up under a load. A Pentium 4, 2 gigs of RAM, and a 7800GTX is going to max out a good brand power supply, and would most likely overload a cheap one.

[jayb1234]

Brand and model of power supply?

4 pin power connector near CPU plugged in?

Power connector on video card plugged in (if it has one)?

All connectors and cards securely plugged in?

Does it work with just 1 stick of RAM?

Is the ram on the compatible list at gigabytes website?

Is the motherboard compatible with a dual core processor?

Which processor is it?

A full list of the components by brand and model number would make it easier to figure out the problem.

[blue60007]

OH whoa, just a second. This is a dual core P4 isn't it? There's no way a cheap 420W power supply is going to power that. Before you do anything else, you should buy a quality unit (at least 500W) from a quality manufacturer such as Antec, Enermax, Seasonic or XClio to replace the cheap one. Even if the power supply isn't to fault, you'll be much better off in the long run.

[tsweeks]

Ok guys with the Hal idea, as I said no video and not even a beep. Here is exactly what I have:

Case - Aspire X-Cruiser case and it did come with the power supply. ( I know bad idea)

Processor - P4 Dual Core 830 LGA 775

Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-81945P-G made for the Pentium Dual Core

Video Card - Nvidia 7800GTX 256MB Ram

Ram - Geil D2-667 (1 GB sticks and used one for troubleshoot setup) tired both sticks alternately

Do you think the power supply could keep it from even giving me the beep? Yes everything is plugged in securely as well.

I will go buy a good supply if that is all it takes. Thanks again for the ideas!

[blue60007]

I'd replace that power supply with one of the brands I suggested ASAP. Even a 420W Antec (Enermax, etc...) would probably be struggling with that. I'd look at something in the 500W range. Like I said, even if it doesn't solve the problem, you'll be better off in the long run.

[tsweeks]

Looking for a power supply in town limits me really to Circuit City. I see they have two power supplies in the 500watt range. One is a Mad Dog 500 wattfor $100 and the other is Antec 480watt for $120. I guess the Antec is the better choice as I have little experience with Mad Dog except for a chap sound card a few years back. I will try that and see what happens. One question, if for some reason my CPU was bad, would these symptoms be the same? I should still get bios booting, right?

[tsweeks]

Ok I have installed a 500watt power supply ATX 2.03 compliant (this thing is a beast!) and I have no changes. The cpu cooling fan powers up and the video card fan powers up, but no posting beep and no video. One note though. My buddy ordered a BTX P4 cpu by mistake. That makes no difference though does it? I thought that the only difference would be their cooling devices and I had him order another cooling system (ATX). Just trying to think of possible fixes. No posting could this mean I have a "dud" cpu?

[Cricket]

Remove the CPU from the socket and make sure none of those little springy contact pins in the socket are mashed up or bent really badly.

I'd suspect the Gigabyte motherboard as being the problem before I thought the CPU was dead.

Cricket

[tsweeks]

Ok Cricket I checked the pins on the socket of the CPU and everything appears to be fine. I think I am going to give Gigabyte a call and see if thery can give me some suggestions. I just want to get this thing up and running for my friend. thanks again for the suggestions. This is frustating.

[tsweeks]

Ok, Gigabyte got back with me and said do all that we have stated and done previously, but also said to reset the CMOS. Well this worked, but after beep and monitor comes on the bios either freezes at times, searches for BIOS image on all drives, or comes screen where i can enter bios menu but my keyboard does not respond to key strokes to enter bios. I did notice that when I switch the power supply on the keyboard lights flash. Also the usb mouse does not light up as well. Whats next to try?

[Cricket]

I think you have a defective motherboard on your hands.

Try this...just have the motherboard, CPU, heatsink, PC case speaker (unless that motherboard has a on-board piezo speaker on it) and power supply hooked up and then try to boot up. You should get BIOS beeps indicating a problem with the video and RAM. If you don't get any beeps your motherboard is probably defective.

Cricket

[tsweeks]

I have done that and seems fine now. I had ran the stup with one stick of ram, but when all was assembled with both sticks of ram setup in dual channel mode as it should be, my computer would lock up during initial boot. I removed that second stick and seemed prefect. I ran through bootup and all drives found and Windows setup kicked in. After Windows setup goes to start Windows, it displays the error screen saying it shut down to prevent damage to the PC. I only get one beep when PC starts. All works fine until setup goes to startup Windows. I am thinking bad motherboard at this point. I am awating Gigabyte to get back with me before sending it back for an exchange. Thanks again Cricket for your help.