PC Upgrade problems

[AdamLC]

Right here are the specs of my old system.

AMD Athlon Barton 3000+
ASUS A7v600
2 * 120GB Maxtor HDs in RAID, via pci card
1 * 1gig Corsair Valu Select RAM
AGP Radeon x800 Pro

Right so I thought id upgrade to a Core 2 Duo, I bought an E6400 and an ASRock 775DUAL-VSTA. Put all my old stuff in and opps, the PSU blew and gave a horrible smell. So I borrowed my friends Antec 460W Psu. The pc just turned on when I switched the PSU on. So I assumed the mobo had died, sent it back and the new one does the same. I am now assuming that the CPU is broke, thats being collected tomorrow.

Anyways I took the CPU out and boxed it up, thought id test if it still powered up without a CPU, low and behold it did. I thought it might be a power problem, but 460W should be adequate, but I started taking all the cards and ram out. Even removed all the pin outs and it still powered up! This is leading me to believe it may be something else. Any ideas anyone?

[rjfvillarosa]

Can you be a little more specific as to what "powered up"?

[AdamLC]

Originally Posted by rjfvillarosa Can you be a little more specific as to what "powered up"?

Yes, sorry. Well as soon as the PSU is turned on all the devices power up, the cpu fan spins (when it was fitted) etc. Im pretty sure it shouldn't do this, even without a CPU. Holding down the power button does nothing either

[rjfvillarosa]

That is all normal, what happens when the CPU is fitted?

[AdamLC]

Originally Posted by rjfvillarosa That is all normal, what happens when the CPU is fitted?

Exactly the same. So it probably means the CPU is shot right?

[rjfvillarosa]

Before you write off any of your hardware, an "out of case build" is always worth considering and remember to use the minimum amount of hardware whilst you do it.
Instructions for the "out of case build" can be read here.
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

[AdamLC]

Originally Posted by rjfvillarosa Before you write off any of your hardware, an "out of case build" is always worth considering and remember to use the minimum amount of hardware whilst you do it. Instructions for the "out of case build" can be read here. http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

Sorry I havent been around, a family problem cropped up. Anyways before I read your post they took away the CPU and I have just got my new one. Everything does exactly the same, I tried removing cards and stuff again, but it still does the same. No display or beeps. I really don't know whats up with it. I very much doubt its the case, its an expensive one and the old parts worked fine. I really don't know what to do

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by AdamLC I very much doubt its the case, its an expensive one and the old parts worked fine.(

This is not a criticism of your case, the "out of case build" is meant to establish whether a piece of hardware (by using the minimum amount of hardware) is stopping the machine from booting or whether it is a short between the motherboard and case frame.

[AdamLC]

Yeh sorry if I sounded snappy, im just having a bad day

When I have time I will try it, in the mean time I have tried other RAM and GFX cards and still getting no where

[AdamLC]

I love you! It powers up not being in the case, so im pretty sure this means a short or a device. I am going too take all the standoffs out and connect each device manually

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by AdamLC Yeh sorry if I sounded snappy,

Don't worry about it, malfunctioning computers can make a saint swear, actually even working ones can make me swear on occasions.
The out of case build is very important it can eliminate a lot of things you may have overlooked or taken for granted, I have been building machines for years and I still do an out of case now and again when something just doesn't seem right.

[flanzig1]

Remember to put standoffs back in the case in the spots that match the mounting holes on the motherboard. Please note that all holes on a motherboard are not mounting holes. Mounting holes have a silver ring of solder around the hole and non-mounting holes do not.