First time build: no signal.

[dshellhause]

First time build. The components are as follows:

MoBo:
ECS P965T-A (V1.0) Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz 2M sharing L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor

RAM:
OCZ Gold 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit System Memory

Video Card:
POWERCOLOR X800GTO256MBDDR3 Radeon X800GTO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16

Power Supply and Case:
XION XION II XON-103 Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450W Power Supply

I've completed the out of case build. When I 'turn it on' the graphics card fan and cpu fan fire up. There are no error noises from the speaker on the MoBo. The monitor does not receive any signal. I am wondering if it is a connection issue or a faulty component. I've double and triple checked the video card and ram to verify they are firmly in their sockets. The 24pin power is connected as well as the 4 pin 12v auxilary power connector (labeled as ATX4P1 in the mobo manual). There is nothing connected to the 'ATX12V1' power connector. This is an 8 pin socket on the mobo, the power supply only has a 4 pin connector. If I attach the 4 pin connector to it's half of the socket then I get long beeps which I read on this forum means a bad power supply. Is this the cause for no signal?

Any suggestions?

[blue60007]

Most likely that's a junk power supply bundled with the case....possibly a problem there. Have any decent ones you can swap in?

[dshellhause]

Nope. Will see if I can get a hold of one though. Any other thoughts in the meantime?

[blue60007]

You'll need to have that 4 pin connected to the correct half for there to be a chance of it running.

[dshellhause]

OK, so when it is connected it give the long beeps. Which is an indication of a bad power supply. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'll be able to test with a functioning power supply on Friday the 15th. Thanks for the suggestions. Also let me know if you notice any incompatabilities with the hardware.

[newbuilder14]

Bios beeps don't suggest bad power supplies... unless I'm way off.

[glc]

Multiple beeps suggest ram or video problems. However, you do have to get a proper power supply, the one in that case is trash.

[dshellhause]

video card tested good unable to test ram at this point.

[chuck4456]

Long beeps are RAM. That P965 is picky about the memory it wants to get along with. You need to check your voltage compatability - motherboard, chipset, ram.

[Mr.Ferrari]

1. Your board is very low quality.
2. OCZ gold has problems with ALL 965's.

[dshellhause]

Could you recommend a board that is compatable with similar specs for under 150$?

[newbuilder14]

Asus p5b
Gigabyte DS3

[smnsam]

I think you have to try different RAM,

[AnotherMuggle]

Try MemTest86+ to detect RAM problems!

[DarkPacMan77]

try a hammer...

there are a lot of problems with the build.

ferrari stated that the ram doesn't work with that chipset, which you should have read about compatibility.

motherboards by ECS are generally flimsy and low quality

the power supply is almost garaunteed - certified junk

[AnotherMuggle]

Originally Posted by DarkPacMan77 try a hammer... there are a lot of problems with the build. ferrari stated that the ram doesn't work with that chipset, which you should have read about compatibility. motherboards by ECS are generally flimsy and low quality the power supply is almost garaunteed - certified junk

I think it's a bit much to be as brutal as this.

Personally I have had a good experience, be it only a small amount of experience, with an ECS motherboard. Unfortunatly they don't have the reputation of Asus and Gigabyte etc. but that's no good reason so say it's a problematic aspect of the build.

Now you know that the memory compatability is liable to be causing the problem, speak to where you got it from and see if they are prepared to do you a swap with some RAM that is compatible with that board...it won't harm to ask. Alternatively sell the RAM (eBay?) and buy some that will work!

Whatever you choose to do...get the PSU replaced with a decent one!!!

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by tomkear2006 Personally I have had a good experience, be it only a small amount of experience, with an ECS motherboard. Unfortunatly they don't have the reputation of Asus and Gigabyte etc. but that's no good reason so say it's a problematic aspect of the build

The thing with ECS motherboards (as well as PC Chips) is they tend to have a high percentage of DOA or defective motherboards that leave their factory. If you are lucky and get one that works, it'll probably work fine for a few years. But the chances are just higher that you may get a bad one right from the start. Most top tier motherboard makers have defective/failure rates of about 10% but bottom tier motherboard makers (like PC Chips and ECS) tend to have defective/failure rates of around 35%. Basically, the odds are against you if you choose a ECS or PC Chips motherboard and you stand a better chance to get a working motherboard from makers like ABIT and ASUS.

Cricket

[AnotherMuggle]

I'm aware of that...but that still leaves a 75% chance of getting a good one :P

But yeah, I think now I know a little more about the situation I would buy from another manufacturer. Not because I've had trouble...simply because people have scared me a little!

[dshellhause]

i've already got a quality replacement power supply. everything is from newegg, so its not too difficult to swap. should i swap the ram, or the motherboard, or both?