Does Not Boot

[ObbiQuiet]

I've checked everything again and again. I can't quite seem to find what the problem is. What my computer does is every time I start it up it lets out a beep, then about ten to fifteen seconds later it shuts down. The monitor I use displays a garbled image of color. Alright, this is what I bought:

Track 1 Thermaltake Toughpower W0132RU ATX12V / EPS12V 1000W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817153053
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy $329.99
Track 1 Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136012
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy $169.99
Track 1 EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813188024
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy $249.99
Track 1 Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 Kentsfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6700 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115027
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy $539.99
Track 1 Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116202
Return Policy: Software Return Policy $109.99
Track 1 M-AUDIO Revolution 5.1 5.1 Channels PCI Interface High-Definition Sound Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16829121122
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $57.99
Track 1 CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX - Retail
Item #: N82E16820145177
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

Is this a common problem, or might a component be bad? If a component is bad, how would I determine which one?

[ObbiQuiet]

Ah, sorry, I mean to add that I also have a 8800GTX, a CD/DVD RW drive and.. hmm, I think that's it for components. I also have a Mid ATX case.

[Kov-Ice]

Welcome to PCMech. You'll want to narrow things down to try to figure out where the problem lies. Follow the directions in THIS post by HAL. Start with the basic components, and then work up from there.

[ObbiQuiet]

Oh, my gosh! I think I've got it. My case came with these red rubber washers for mounting the Mobo on the case struts. I didn't put them on! Would that cause a short?

I mean, does the mobo have to insulated from the case? If it does, how do I go about insulating it? Which side to I put the red washers on?

[doubledragon5]

Look at your mb manual to see exactly where the washer go. My mb doesn't have any washers as the mb sits on the standoffs as they are, yours may be different.. Also do the out of the case build as suggested by Kov-Ice.

[Kov-Ice]

Yes, contact with the case will prevent your system from booting properly. As dd said, I'd still do the step-by-step on your tabletop (not on the anti-static bag!!), and then move it into the case (using the standoffs) once you confirm all is well.

[ObbiQuiet]

Alright, I'll do that now. I've learned more about POST information. It usually stops at 7F, which I believe is a error prompt for the user to respond to, except that I can't see it.

I'll be back in an hour or so with my results. Too bad I bought the videocard from CompUSA - at least I still have the manufacturer's warranty. I got like 40% off.

[ObbiQuiet]

Alright, I've determined my videocard is bad by swapping them out. The model I bought was the BFG 8800GTX OC. I've never OCed before, but isn't that something you have to do through the bios? Could the fact that the card was factory OCed have anything to do with its functionality? Is there a way I can nullify the OC?

Edit: To be fair, it might be my power connection to my 8800GTX. I'm using TWO six-prong PCI-E connectors for one card (there are two receivers). The videocard I used was an earlier 7500-something nvidia that didn't need a connection directly to my power source. My power source is a 1000W and runs everything else - as far as I can tell - just fine.

Edit2: Question about SLI - if I bought a BFG 8800GTX OC, would I have to buy ANOTHER BFG 8800GTX OC in order to SLI? I was thinking of picking up my second card today while I wait for the replacement component. Preferably, I would like to pick up just a normal 8800GTX, or maybe an ultra.

[711]

I believe it must be the same model, i.e. gtx to gtx, ultra to ultra, but that one can be oc while the other isnt...