Powers up but no display, possible short

[ThadiasJ]

This is my first build.
On first start up I had a short on the +12V connector power supply. Not sure how it happened. I tried to be careful and put spacers under MB. I shut off computer (but there was a burnning smell) and re-checked all connections but mainly checked the power supply connections. I then turned power switch on and it seemed to be ok.
The geen power indicator was on so I pressed the button to turn on the computer. CPU fan and motherboard fan was working but no power light on DVD/ROM drive or floppy drive. Also nothing was ever displayed on monitor. I also tried to open the DVD drive but nothing.

Question, could I have done something to my motherboard even if the fans will work or is the power supply ok since it will power up. Also possible reasons why no display on mointor.
SPECS:
MB: ASUS A8N-E, AMD 3500+ 64 processor
memory: PNY DDR 512 400MHZ
Graphics card: ATI All in Wonder VE PCI
I have checked the HD out on another computer and is fine.

[tempus]

Where was the short finally? Something is damaged and you need to determine what that is. It may be the motherboard or the power supply. Carefully examine the mother board for burn spots or burned ic's. I would try an out of case build to see what will happen.

[blue60007]

What brand/model is the power supply? If you had a weak cheapo unit in there, it could've just gone up in smoke.

[ThadiasJ]

The power supply is a THERMALTAKE 430W power supply. The power is not tottaly dead it will power up and the fan on the power supply will work.
I did notice I did not use the correct IDE power strip. Could this have cause my short. I used the one in the box for HD and not the one that had a (blue, grey and black strip) Blue for MB, grey for master HD and Black for sec HD. I don't see how this would cause the problem both strips seem to be the same but I guess there could be some diiference.
I connected the right IDE strip but still same effect. If it is just my motherboard I could just buy another one.
Come to think of it I don't hear any beeps or the HD spinning when I turn on the CPU. Fans work but that is about it. Haven't had a chance to look at MB for burn spots yet.

[Cricket]

You said you put spacers (standoffs) under the motherboard...did you only put the standoffs in the holes that matched up to the mounting holes in the motherboard (the ones with the metal rings around them) or did you put the standoffs in all the holes in the motherboard mounting tray?

Cricket

[ThadiasJ]

Yes, that's what happened. I put the standoffs in all the holes in the mounting tray, how could I have been so dumb. One of the hard lessons of a first time PC builder. Thanks , now I know what happened. I know my MB is probably fried. Do you think I did damage to the processor? If it is just my MB I would only be out about 100 dollars. I hope it didn't hurt my processor. Thanks again.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by ThadiasJ Yes, that's what happened. I put the standoffs in all the holes in the mounting tray, how could I have been so dumb. One of the hard lessons of a first time PC builder. Thanks , now I know what happened. I know my MB is probably fried. Do you think I did damage to the processor? If it is just my MB I would only be out about 100 dollars. I hope it didn't hurt my processor. Thanks again.

There's a chance that the motherboard or other parts didn't get damaged. Pull the motherboard out of the case and try to get it to power up outside of the case. Follow these instructions. Let us know what happens.

Cricket

[ThadiasJ]

Thanks, I will try the out of case build this weekend.

[ThadiasJ]

I inspected my MB and don't see any burn spots because of short.
I did an out of case build with just the graphics card but still did not see anything on the monitor. I am using a PCI graphics card(could this be the problem). Is the BIOS already setup using a PCI express graphics card and how do I get into the BIOS to change that. I know on my old system I have to get into the BIOS to tell it I am using a PCI graphics card.
MB seens to be working but still no display. I like to see if there is something I am missing before I go out and get another MB.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by ThadiasJ I am using a PCI graphics card(could this be the problem).

Are you using a PCI or a PCI Express 16 video card?

Originally Posted by ThadiasJ Is the BIOS already setup using a PCI express graphics card and how do I get into the BIOS to change that.

The motherboard should detect and use whichever video card you have in there (PCI or PCI Express 16) and your system has to be working and sending a signal to the monitor before you can enter the BIOS.

Originally Posted by ThadiasJ I like to see if there is something I am missing before I go out and get another MB.

I think the motherboard is shot.

Cricket

[ThadiasJ]

I am using a PCI not a PCI Express video card. I figured my MB was shot also. I am going to ordered another MB today and try again next week. Thanks for your help.

[ThadiasJ]

Bought new motherboard did bench test with just graphics card. Monitor came on with ASUS display, bench test successful. Installed MB in case with dvd drive , floppy, HD, was able to get into BIOS. Even though HD already had XP on it MB would not boot up, had to reinstall XP to get it to run. Then computer came on with reinstalled XP and was able to update drivers. Computer up and running! Besides my goof (Short)with the standoffs this first PC build was not as hard as I thought it would be. Thanks for all your help!

[Cricket]

Congrats on getting your first build up and running.

Cricket