Initial build won't post - tried out of box technique - help please...

[tsgarp007]

Here is my system...

-AMD 64 3500+, stock heatsink/fan
-ABIT KN8 SLI
-XFX PV-T73G-UDF3 Geforce 7600GT 256MB
-ULTRA V Series 350W power supply
-CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel

Tried initial build in the case. On start up, did not hear any beeping at all. All fans worked immediately, CD drive opens and closes, video card fan works, hard drives receiving power. However, I did not get any video display or beeps.

I have to use the DVI to VGA adapter included with the video card, so I wonder about that, but I am not hearing beeps so I don't think that's the problem.

I tried the out of the box technique and got the same results. All I had hooked up was the cpu and fan, memory, and video card. I replaced the memory with an old 512 stick from my other computer with the same results. I also tried booting with no video card to see if I could get a beep - no luck.

I cleared the CMOS in between each change.

Any thoughts anyone??? Or do I have to get my cpu, motherboard, and video card tested? I don't have any other systems I can test them in.

Thanks in advance for your thougths...

[glc]

Is that a 24 pin ATX 2.0 power supply? Even if so, 350 watts is underpowered for a 7600 class video card. Not only do you need a 24 pin main connector, you have auxiliaries to connect too. I would advise you to get a better power supply - and not another Ultra. A SLI-certified unit is HIGHLY recommended - and plan on spending at least 80 bucks on one.

[tempus]

Originally Posted by tsgarp007 Here is my system... -AMD 64 3500+, stock heatsink/fan -ABIT KN8 SLI -XFX PV-T73G-UDF3 Geforce 7600GT 256MB -ULTRA V Series 350W power supply -CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Tried initial build in the case. On start up, did not hear any beeping at all. All fans worked immediately, CD drive opens and closes, video card fan works, hard drives receiving power. However, I did not get any video display or beeps. I have to use the DVI to VGA adapter included with the video card, so I wonder about that, but I am not hearing beeps so I don't think that's the problem. I tried the out of the box technique and got the same results. All I had hooked up was the cpu and fan, memory, and video card. I replaced the memory with an old 512 stick from my other computer with the same results. I also tried booting with no video card to see if I could get a beep - no luck. I cleared the CMOS in between each change. Any thoughts anyone??? Or do I have to get my cpu, motherboard, and video card tested? I don't have any other systems I can test them in. Thanks in advance for your thougths...

Is the little speaker that came with the motherboard hooked up?

[tsgarp007]

Thanks for the response.

Yeah... I figured I was stretching it with that power supply. It is a 24 Pin power supply though. And without any peripherals like the CD or Hard drives attached it should suffice, no? Once I get the basics working I'll worry about getting a better power supply. Or is that a bad move?

Also, I tried booting it without the video card hoping for a beep. Is that even possible?

[tsgarp007]

Tempus, I'm not sure. How do I even check for that? I couldn't find anything about the onboard speaker thing in the mb manual.

[tempus]

Originally Posted by tsgarp007 Tempus, I'm not sure. How do I even check for that? I couldn't find anything about the onboard speaker thing in the mb manual.

that motherboard might have an onboard speaker in which case don't worry but some boards have instaed a little speaker that needs to be connected.

[freakitchen]

Originally Posted by glc Not only do you need a 24 pin main connector, you have auxiliaries to connect too.

Do you have the 2x2 Auxiliary power connector hooked up, in addition to the main 24 pin? The socket is ususally found near the CPU.

FK

[tsgarp007]

Is it possible to boot the sytem up into bios without the video card, just relying on the beeping to know it's doing anything obviously?

Since I tried that and the same thing happened, I'm assuming that would narrow down my problem to either the motherboard or cpu.

Any thoughts?

[tsgarp007]

FK,

Yes, I also connected the 2x2 power pin. Thanks for your reply.

ts

[flanzig1]

Without a video card, the board may give a series of beeps that would indecant no video or may not boot at all. I still think you need to get a correct sized and quailty PSU before looking at the mobo or CPU.

[tsgarp007]

I'll try it out with a better power supply. I'll want a better one eventually anyway, guess it only makes sense...

[tsgarp007]

Update: Using an ANTEC TPII 550W, I am getting the same results.

Summary: Out of box with only cpu (heatsink & fan), memory, and video card connected, I am not getting any beeping or video. All fans (including on video card) spin up. Power was connected at 24 pin, 2x2 4 pin, and aux sli. Shadow card was installed. I tried different memory, single memory, paired memory. I cleared the cmos frequently.

Please, anyone have any thoughts on what my next step should be?

Thanks in advance, ts.

[tsgarp007]

I have tried a better power supply, and a different video card. Still no luck. First RMA board was a real dud, have to wait on the next RMA to get here. If it's not the board, what do you guys think is the problem? CPU, incompatible memory, PSU, etc...?

[minsonngo]

Its going to be the motherboard and if not, then I would try another CPU.

[tsgarp007]

Just to conclude this thread...

I had a bad motherboard AND a bad ANTEC PSU. Actually I had two bad motherboards (the initial RMA from ABIT was worse than the first). With a working motherboard and a different PSU (FSP), it works great.

thanks for everyone's input.

[minsonngo]

Wow two bad boards and a bad PSU, glad everything is well now.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by tsgarp007 I had a bad motherboard AND a bad ANTEC PSU.

Hmmm...I just worked on a computer that had a bad Antec too...I wonder if they're starting to have problems again. I've had a few Antec's go south in a few builds I did awhile ago, that's one reason I've only used Fortron Source or Sparkle Power for the past 4 years.

Cricket

[minsonngo]

Lets hope Antec is not starting to have problems again...