No signal-possibly not posting?

[dwillits]

This is my first build.

Specs:

LITE-ON Black IDE Combo Drive Model SOHC-5236V BK RTL
ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard -
Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-480 BLUE ATX12V 480W Crucial Ballistix 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory
ASPIRE X-Plorer ATXB8KLW-BL Black/Blue Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3250823AS 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
eVGA 256-P2-N516 Geforce 7800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16
AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model

I have removed the motherboard from the case, as stated in another thread. Currently, just the basics are connected to the motherboard (cpu, heatsink, videocard, pc speaker, power supply). I short the start pins and everything runs (cpu fan spins, mb fan spins, videocard fan spins), but the monitor gets no signal.

I've tried an alternate monitor that I know works --- so, it seems to be something from the new computer. I'm not sure if it is the videocard or the motherboard.

Also --- if this is of interest--- I'm not sure that the computer is posting. While everything powers up as stated, I hear no beeps.

[kosova]

Welcome to Pcmech, dwillits.
You also need to put 1 stick of ram. Are you sure everything is connected? Is the 20/24 connected to the mobo, also the other "auxiliary power" connected?
Is the heatsink+fan installed correctly?

Also --- if this is of interest--- I'm not sure that the computer is posting. While everything powers up as stated, I hear no beeps.

If you have a speaker lying around insert it in, this may help.

[dwillits]

Sorry, forgot to state that I placed 1 stick of ram into the slot the mb manual stated.

All the power is good. Plugged in the 24 pin cord to the mb and another 4-pin cord too.

As for the heatsink/fan--- I'm almost positive I have them on correctly. I followed the instructions very closely. It was harder than I expected to get the clips on and the lever down, but I'm pretty sure it's OK.

I'm a little lost about the speaker lying around? Should I plug it into my audio port on the back of the mb? I thought I'd hear beeps from the little pc speaker that I plugged in.

[Stuey]

Make sure that the video card is snugly seated in its slot. After moving my computer around, everything spun up but I got no signal either. After some investigating, I noticed that the card was hanging out a bit. So yea, just make sure it's nice and snug in there.

[dwillits]

videocard is in snug --- thinking about pulling one out from another pc to check and see if it might be the videocard.

assuming it isn't (just for the sake of having additional ideas), what would you guys recommend as my next step? RMA my motherboard?

[ghost_of_war]

I am in the same boat as he is with a new biuld I am doing. No post beeps, nothing in the monitor - nothing. Everything working fine. I am an experienced builder, but this one has be stumped. I have re-traced my steps several times like dwillits has done and nothing.