New Build Core Components Test: No Power/Signal to Monitor

[Steady Teddy]

Here are the components for my new build:

Asus P5B Deluxe/AiFi AP
Intel QX6700 w/ Thermaltake Big Typhoon heatsink
Silverstone OP1000 1000 Watts
Corsair XMS2 2GB (2x1) SDRAM DDR2 800
EVGA 8800GTX
Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatality
(2) Seagate SATA 400GB 7200.10 HDD


After final assembly last night I hooked it up to the monitor and keyboard/mouse only. Everything(?) in the case powered up but the monitor (Viewsonic P225f) did not detect any power. It displayed the same screen I always get if I leave my monitor powered on after unplugging my current desktop:

View Meter
No Preset

H: 00.00 KHZ+
V: 00 Hz+
Status: No Sync


I pulled EVERYTHING out and tried the core component test mentioned in the sticky here. I tested each stick of RAM in all four slots. I moved the 8800GTX to the secondary PCE-E slot. There is still no power to the monitor.

The motherboard itself has power, I think. At least the Asus logo is illuminated. The fan on 8800GTX starts running when I power up. The heatsink fan is running.

Of course I have to use the DVI/VGA adaptor to connect to my monitor. When I had everything in the case I switched to the other video output but still no signal. I didn't swap outputs during the core test but if the 8800GTX has power, I don't know if that would have made a difference, would it? .

As far as I can see, everything is plugged in firmly. Before the first test, I forgot to connect the PCI-E power connectors to the video card and there was a loud constant whining. I hope I didn't fry anything in it. The video card runs fine now after powering it up...well.. like I said, at least the fan in it has always been running. And I KNOW I had the power connected to it when I first booted it up in the case when there was no signal to the monitor anyway.

Is there anything else I can check for?

Thanks in advance

[LeftyAce]

Try it without any video card, and see if the motherboard beeps. It should give an error code (which u can find in the manual) indicating it's misisng the video card. If it doesn't do that, try without any ram or videocard, just the processor (and its fan) connected, and see if it beeps THEN.

Do you have another PSU you can test with? Doesn't need to be very high powered, as you're not running nearly a complete system as of yet.

[glc]

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

[Steady Teddy]

Originally Posted by glc http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

Yes that's the test I used but I didn't connect my speakers. I'll hook them up to see if there's any beeps.

The only error code listed in the Asus manual that would apply is one for "hardware component failure" (two continuos beeps followed by four short beeps), which seems pretty vague.

I can also pull out the PSU in my other desktop if I have to.

Thanks

[glc]

You do not connect your speakers - this refers to a case speaker that goes on the speaker posts on the motherboard.

[Steady Teddy]

Originally Posted by glc You do not connect your speakers - this refers to a case speaker that goes on the speaker posts on the motherboard.

OK I see them but I have no way to connect to them. Is this the only way to listen for error codes?

[freakitchen]

Why can't you connect the case speaker? Position the case next to the motherboard so that the speaker wire from the front panel will reach the front panel header. There's no other way to hear the beep codes.

[Steady Teddy]

Originally Posted by Freakitchen Why can't you connect the case speaker? Position the case next to the motherboard so that the speaker wire from the front panel will reach the front panel header. There's no other way to hear the beep codes.

My case doesn't have a speaker. I called a couple of local shops and they don't have any case speakers for sale.

And I can rule out a bad PSU. I pulled out the PSU from my current desktop and I still cannot POST.

I'm guessing the MoBo is bad(?) I don't have the tools to test anything else. My old pc is not PCI-E so I can't really test the video card. I could be really nasty and take advantage of Circuit City's liberal return policy and buy a new PCI-E card, test it, then return it.

This is a bit OT but I've never had to RMA anything from Newegg. If I have to return the MoBo, how picky would they be if I return it with the Thermaltake self adhesive H Clip on the back of the board that I had to use for the Big Typhoon cooler? Would it be safe to dab alcohol around it to peel it off?

I can't pinpoint the problem (yet) but since I have to make a decision with Newegg's 30 day policy, should I assume the faulty component is most likely the MoBo?

Thanks again

[flanzig1]

Just a quick thought: that motherboard uses a 8 pin CPU power connector but has a cover over 4 of the pins. If you haven't done so, remove the cover and make the 8 pin connection.

[Steady Teddy]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 Just a quick thought: that motherboard uses a 8 pin CPU power connector but has a cover over 4 of the pins. If you haven't done so, remove the cover and make the 8 pin connection.

EDIT

Ahhhh!! I forgot to make that connection. You talking about the socket near the CPU that says "EATX12V"?

[flanzig1]

I guess that's what it is called in the manual. Here's a picture from Newegg, the CPU power connection is labeled "8-pin CPU power connector" : http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...board+-+Retail

[Steady Teddy]

Yes, I forgot to connect the PSU connector for CPU power to the MoBo.

Boy do I feel stupid. My tech confidence level is so low right now, I'm not sure I can find the power switch for my TV.

Anyway, I can now POST. I got the message asking for a proper boot device.

But I have a couple questions:
When I shorted the power switch connector with a screwdriver, the board powered up briefly then shutdown with a single beep (no master drive or keyboard) then after about two seconds it powered itself back up again. Is this normal?

Also, as I disconnected the power to the CPU I noticed the copper pipes on the Big Typhoon heatsink got very warm in a hurry. The cabling on my PSU is very stiff. Should I be concerned about CPU power cable coming in close contact with the gigantic Thermaltake CPU cooler?

Thanks again and now I can start hooking everything back up.

[LeftyAce]

Take a look at the labeling on the PSU wires. I think I read somewhere that the insulation can withstand temperatures up to 150 degrees C. A CPU is in trouble at about 60....

[Steady Teddy]

Originally Posted by LeftyAce A CPU is in trouble at about 60....

This scares the hell out of me. It IS normal for the heatsink to get hot quickly to absorb the CPU heat, right?

I was careful about not appliying too much Artic Silver 5. I tried to apply a paper thin layer but not too little where I could read the Intel label.

[glc]

If the heatsink is getting hot, the AS is doing its job.

[Steady Teddy]

I reassembled my pc and hooked it back up and now have CPU/Fan problems.

I keep getting a "CPU Fan Error" message and the temp in the BIOS shows just over 80° C.

I took the side cover back off and the heatsink fan is connected and running when I boot up.

Also, almost every time I've booted up I hear a single beep, then the pc shuts down momentarily, then starts back up, just as it did in the POST. It I leave my pc off for a while the pc will start without a beep. But it will always give a single beep when I shut down by holding down the power button. All I have connected other than the monitor is my keyboard & mouse.

I'm afraid to turn this thing on for even a few seconds.

Might this have something to do with the speed of my 3rd party heatsink fan?

One more thing. I took the advice given in the troubleshooting thread and pulled out the CMOS battery for about 5 minutes to reset it while I was still having problems posting. I don't know if this has contributed to my problems but I thought I should mention it.

Thanks again

[andper10]

You do have the fan built into the Big Typhoon plugged into the motherboard, right? If the fan is spinning, then perhaps you didn't install the HSF correctly. Your idle CPU temp should be like 25-30 C. I think that it might be saying CPU FAN ERROR because the stock Intel HSF is a 4 pin motherboard connector, and the the Big Typhoon is a 3 pin motherboard connector. Hope you enjoy your new build!

[Steady Teddy]

Perhaps intstalling a 3rd party cooler was not a good idea for a newb build.
If I have to pull this cooler out again I'm not putting it back on. Maybe I should have stuck with the stock heatsink.

[Steady Teddy]

Ugh! I need a new prescription for my glasses, seriously. And I need to read the MoBo layout VERY carefully.

I connected the heatsink fan to the WRONG header. I hooked it up to a chasis fan connection. I'm taking my glasses on and off to read, depending on how small the inscriptions are and I thought "cha fan" read "cpu fan".

Someone PLEASE tell me that as long as the pc can still post and I can get into my BIOS that I did not fry my CPU. If the temp was really at 80° C, am I already screwed?

[Steady Teddy]

OK I monitored the CPU temp in the BIOS before reformatting. Idle temp tops out at around 42C. Still kinda high?

[glc]

That temp is fine. You won't fry an Intel CPU - it will shut itself down, it has an internal temp sensor.

[Disgrace]

Originally Posted by steady teddy OK I monitored the CPU temp in the BIOS before reformatting. Idle temp tops out at around 42C. Still kinda high?

Sounds fine to me.

[Steady Teddy]

Thanks to everyone for your help.
This forum is the best!

I'm about ready to start installing XP MC so if I encounter any other problems I should start a new thread since it wouldn't apply here. Hopefully I won't have to.

Thanks again