Computer Can't Start Up

[viche12345]

Hello all,

I am a first-time computer builder, and too much of my fury, my computer will not start up. After plugging on all necessary cables, I push the power button and I only see the fans move slightly. Do I have a faulty component?

Thanks,
Vincent

[Alaron]

Very possible that something is amiss. Can you provide your full specs including brand/wattage of the power supply?

Welcome to PCMech.

[Cricket]

Having problems with a new build? Try this. Remove the motherboard from the case and place it on something non-conductive. Only install the CPU, CPU heatsink, 1 stick of RAM, video card, PC case speaker, keyboard, power supply and monitor. Don't connect any drives to the motherboard yet. Let us know what happens.

Cricket

[viche12345]

After reading through the forums, I kind of think that the chassis is somehow shorting the motherboard. Does this situation adequately convey this symptom I am having?

EDIT: My motherboard is not currently sitting on any standoffs, as the manual included with the case was horribly written and I didn't understand anything. Should I seat the motherboard on the standoffs first, or should I do the motherboard troubleshooting by performing the procedure provided by HAL9000?

Case
Mobo

[freakitchen]

I'd perform the troubleshooting procedure first. This out-of-case build confirms that your core components are working correctly. Everything should start up, and you should be able to enter the BIOS.

Once you've done this, begin transferring things to the case - but yes, you certainly do need standoffs - one for each corresponding hole in the motherboard but no more.

[viche12345]

OK. I will perform this troubleshooting procedure and will post the results. I will be back.

Meanwhile, can someone tell me what typical messages I should expect on the POST messages?

[freakitchen]

Do you mean visual or audio messages?

When you get a display, you'll initially see the CPU information, and the amount of RAM. You'll get the option to enter BIOS here. Then, it will list the optical / hard drives you have installed (obviously none if you're doing the out of case boot). Then it will move on, and search for a boot record from any HD or optical - when it can't find one, the boot process will stall.

As far as audio goes, if you connect a case speaker to the motherboard, the system will beep at you on POST. One beep means everything is normal - multiple beeps, something is wrong!

[viche12345]

Well, the system powered up fine when performing this procedure. There was only one, short beep from the case speaker, and all the POST was successful. The last message shown was something like "No boot media found, please insert and press any key to continue." Assuming everything was OK, I left the system running for a while. Then, everything shut off, even the PSU.

I repeated the procedure and same thing happens, about 30 seconds after power on.

Is it a power issue now?

[Cricket]

Please post the complete system specs for this computer. List the parts by brand and model including the power supply.

The problem you're seeing now could be caused by a bad power supply or you don't have the CPU heatsink installed correctly on the CPU and it's overheating.

Cricket

[viche12345]

Pentium D 915 (stock heatsink)
512MB DDR400 Kingston
XFX Nvidia 6800GT
Seagate Barrucuda 160GB
Case: Rosewill TU-155
PSU: (came with the case)

I believe the heatsink isn't installed correctly, as I couldn't push down all of the securing pins. I can only push down two at a time for some reason and heatsink is always off balance.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by viche12345 Pentium D 915 (stock heatsink) 512MB DDR400 Kingston XFX Nvidia 6800GT Seagate Barrucuda 160GB Case: Rosewill TU-155 PSU: (came with the case) I believe the heatsink isn't installed correctly, as I couldn't push down all of the securing pins. I can only push down two at a time for some reason and heatsink is always off balance.

That's the reason the computer shuts down, all the pins must be locked down properly. The LGA775 heatsink is difficult to install if the motherboard is already installed in the case. Pull the motherboard out and follow this LGA775 heatsink installation guide.

What motherboard are you using?

Cricket

[viche12345]

I followed the guide provided. Thanks for the advice. However, I still cannot push down all of the pins. I am sure they are all in the correct orientation (arrow facing outwards). I can only push in any 3 and the other can not be pushed at all.

Another situation occurs sometimes when installing the heatsink. It appears unbalanced, so pushing one pin forces the other pins on the other side out.

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813157107
This is the case I am using. It is an ASROCK 4CoreDual VSTA

EDIT: I am applying a LOT OF FORCE when pushing down the pins. How much force is really necessary to push down these pins? I am somehow using my body weight....

[glc]

Push the pins down one at a time and lock the pin before moving on to the next pin. If a pin pops back up when pushing another one down, you didn't lock it properly. Do this while holding the board in your hand, supporting it under the processor area with your fingertips and visually confirm each pin is ALL the way in before locking it. Do this in a "X" pattern - lock the first one down then do the one diagonally opposite.

[viche12345]

Well, I got the heatsink installed properly, and I got Windows installed.

All games running faster than I expected, my first build finally successful.

YAHOO!!!

BTW, is 46 centigrade too high for an idle temp?

[glc]

That sounds about right for a Pentium-D with stock cooling.

[viche12345]

Thank you

[Cricket]

Congrats on successfully completing your first computer.

Cricket