First build problems: Bad RAM?

[doctor_ice]

Several years ago I built my first computer.
MoBo: ASUS A8V
Video card: GForce FX5200
Hard Drive: Maxtor 250GB
CPU: AMD 64 Athlon
Power:500W ATX
RAM: 1 stick of 512MB
OS: Window XP 64

It has worked fine, until now. I found an old hard drive in the basement and I wanted to try hooking it up to my computer. I set it as the slave and hooked it up. It worked fine. I noticed that it had windows 95 installed so I decided to try to dual boot it so I could run iTunes which I couldn't get to work on my OS. However, the tutorial said I needed to install the oldest OS first. So I took out both HDs and set the old HD with Window 9 as master and plugged it in. But the computer didn't reboot. So I figured the OS didn't work so I took it out and plugged in the original HD as master. I tried to reboot it and nothing happen.

I tried setting the jumper to cable select. I tried taking out the RAM and cleaning it with Rubbing alcohol. I tried switching the SATA cables and using different IDE ports for the HD. I have made sure the Mobo is connected correctly. I flipped the power switch connector on the pins. I pulled the Mobo out and just connected the RAM, power, and video card and used a screwdriver to short the power switch pins. I tried the RAM in all the slots. Nothing gave even a hint of starting up.

I've tried the hd in another computer and it said that the 64 bit OS did not work on that computer. (it was a 32 bit computer) The green LED on the Mobo light up when the power is connected, but no fans have turned on when I tried to restart.

I don't know anything, but I thought maybe the RAM is faulty? I need this computer for school on monday. Any advice?

Ps. I built this computer without really knowing what parts to use. Does anyone have suggestions for upgrading parts after I figure out what is wrong?

[liambl]

What brand and model is that power supply?

[doctor_ice]

It is an Ultra Xconnect 500W power supply.

Edit: I tried the power in another older computer and it worked just fine.

[pam123]

First iTunes does not run on anything older than XP ( 32 bit) these days and it never ran on any of the 9X operating systems.
Second use the clear cmos jumper and return the bios to factory settings (Get the full instructions from the motherboard manual).

If there's no physical damage that may be enough to get the computer to boot.

[glc]

PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

[doctor_ice]

I followed the guide before I posted. I also reset the cmos. Still nothing.

[pam123]

Originally Posted by doctor_ice I followed the guide before I posted. I also reset the cmos. Still nothing.

Pull the board look over it carefully is now sounds like you fried something.

You always had the computer disconnected while you made changes, right ?

[doctor_ice]

I think I unplugged it whenever I made changes but maybe I didn't.

What am I looking for when I check to see if the board is damaged?

[pam123]

You're looking for small scorch marks and you nose may actually be the better guide.
Get the board under full light and go over it carefully.

[doctor_ice]

I looked over the board, but besides being dusty I didn't see anything unusual.

[pam123]

The odds are that something essential has been zapped but swap the power supply temporarily just to make sure that didn't die on you at the wrong moment.
If that's not it then you're faced with needing another computer.
Be careful with the hard drive that contains your school work, if you put it in a usb enclosure and you may be able to access your data from another computer which means you can keep up with class work.