Computer wont work...

[tmarg]

This is the first time I've attempted to build my own computer, and I went low-price. I did the out of case setup as suggested with my machspeed msnv-939 mobo and biostar 6200le video card. The cpu fan starts and everything seems to be good, however my screen stays black. Please let me know how to fix this problem, and let me know if you need any other information.


Thanks
tmarg

[freakitchen]

Moved to 'Build your own PC' forum.

Please post your full system specs - including brand and model of your power supply.

Did you follow the procedure EXACTLY as detailed in this thread?

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

FK

[tmarg]

Sorry for posting in the wrong forum...heres my specs...

machspeed msnv939 mobo
amd sempron 3000 processor
ultra 512mb DDR
400w coolmax v-400 power supply (atx v2.01)
vga biostar 6200le video card
ultra wizard case

Like I said before, serious budget computer, I paid $10 for the cpu to hold me through until I have enought money to upgrade. I followed the procedure to the T, and did it a couple of times. I also tried two different monitors, one using a DVI hookup, the other VGA. Hope this is the information you needed.


tmarg

[glc]

Well, one of the core components is defective. You gotta stay away from Tiger Direct, their inexpensive stuff is junk.

[freakitchen]

When you power up the system, is there any life to the system at all? Do the Power Supply and Fans all power up, but you get no display? Or is there no reaction at all when you short the two power connector posts?

Do you have any spare parts to substitute in to test?

FK

[tmarg]

When I short the switch, the cpu fan and chipset fans start to work. When I had the machine in the case, my harddrive and dvd-rw drives started as well. The only thing to wont work is my video card and display.

[freakitchen]

That basically means that your system is not POSTing. You cannot rule out everything but the video card as the cause for this, it could be a fault with any of your core components - Power Supply, Motherboard, CPU, RAM or Video card.

At this point, connect a case speaker to the motherboard if you haven't already. Disconnect the video card and RAM, and try powering the system up. The board should beep repeatedly at you since these parts are missing - let us know if this happens.

Do you have any spare parts you could substitute in to test?

FK

[Cricket]

When you did the out-of-case assembly did you only have the core components connected (CPU, motherboard, video, RAM, PC case speaker unless the motherboard has a piezo speaker on it, monitor, keyboard and power supply)? If that's all you had connected then one of those parts are either defective, incompatible or not connected properly. Looking at your specs the first thing I would do is try another compatible power supply, CoolMax power supplies are rubbish. Make sure that if the motherboard power connection has 24 pins you use a real ATX 2.0 power supply with a 24 or 20 + 4 power connector.

When the computer is on, does the heatsink get warm at the base? If it doesn't it may mean the CPU is bad or the motherboard isn't supplying power to the CPU.

Cricket

[tmarg]

Thanks for the advice. I pulled the video card and memory because it seemed like the easiest thing to try first. The heatsink got warm and my speaker on the case did beep. After I did this, I put the card and memory back in and tried again...the computer worked! I'm going to assemble it in the case now, I'll let you know if I have any more problems...thanks for all the advice.

tmarg

[freakitchen]

If the system did not work at first in the case, then make sure you installed the motherboard standoffs correctly. They should ONLY be installed where there is a corresponding hole for a screw in the motherboard.

FK