Help Rebuilding Computer

[J-Rob]

Hello,

I am trying to rebuild my media center PC. A couple of months ago it stopped working. The machine would power on for a few seconds and then turn off, no post. I tried a new power supply and that didn't work. I figured it must be cpu or mobo and mobo was still under warranty.

I sent the mobo back to the manufacturer and they said there were some broken capacitors and they fixed it. I have tried putting everything back together but its not working.

When I power on the PC, everything appears to work except there is no video. Everything seems to be running (hdd, dvd, cpu fan).

I am fairly sure the ram is installed correctly since I reseated it.

I am sure that the video card is working because I tried it in another computer.

I've tried just ram, mobo, cpu, and video card and still doesn't work. I am not sure if there are any beep errors because I don't know if the case has speakers.

I'm sure all the parts are compatible because it worked before with all the same components.

Here are some of the important specs:

mobo:
Gigabyte GA-K89 F9 939 socket motherboard
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/...ProductID=2206

CPU:
AMD Athalon 3700+ 939 socket
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819103539

Case:
Silverstone LC-17 HTPC case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...erstone%20lc17

Video card:
7600 GS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130075

Power supply:
seasonic 430 Watt SS-430hb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151044

Let me know if you need any more information.

Thanks in advance.

[Alaron]

Welcome to PCMech.

Are you doing the minimum parts build outside of the case? That is important to avoid shorting against your case. Check our procedure here: PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

Also, what power supply are you using?

[J-Rob]

Power supply is seasonic 430 Watt SS-430hb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151044

I installed everything inside the case. I try to ground myself frequently, but is it really worth trying to rebuild this whole thing outside the case?

Thanks.

[Khalil]

Yes it is definately worth it to rule out that the motherboard is still defective. If I were you I would stop trying to run it becasue it is more than likely shorting it inside the case and it will end up dying for good.
That is a great power supply.

[J-Rob]

Okay, I'll try that tomorrow.

Can you explain what would be causing it to short inside the case? I'm not really sure what you are talking about. Thanks.

[Khalil]

on the I/O plate on the back of the case things stick out and they could be going into the LAN or USB ports causing a short. Also it could be something underneath the board like a riser, hard to say without seeing it but that is a very common problem.

[J-Rob]

I just thought of a couple things and want to know if these might be causing problems.

1) When I disconnected everything I did not keep track of which screws go where. When reinstalling I just used trial and error to see which fit. Is it a problem if I have the wrong screws attaching the motherboard to the case?

2) The metal panel on the back of the case that covers up the location with the PS/2, usb, audio inputs, and ethernet is not in correctly. I had trouble getting this on so i kind of just left it off. I didn't think this would be a problem, is it?

Thanks.

[glc]

1. If they screw into the standoffs, they are fine.

2. The I/O shield must be installed correctly. If it won't fit right, the motherboard is not mounted correctly, make sure you are using the correct standoffs under each screw hole in the motherboard. If you leave the I/O shield off, completely remove it. This can cause RF interference, which in a media center PC can be very annoying.

[J-Rob]

I tried installing out of the case and still doesnt work. I have 2 sticks of memory and I tried many different combinations of one stick in one dimm. Any ideas?

[J-Rob]

FYI, here are my thoughts:

I assume the motherboard works since it was tested by the manufacturer.

I have two sticks of ram and I have tried both of them alone in different dimms on the motherboard so I think it is unlikely that is the problem.

I'm thinking the problem is the CPU or the video card isn't installed correctly. If the video card isn't installed correctly, I have no idea how to install it correctly because I have tried and retried many times.

When I had everything installed in the case, it sounded like everything was running, cpu fan, system fan, hdd, dvd drive etc. Would all of this happen if there was a problem with the CPU?

Thanks.