New Build Startup Issues

[Guinness]

I recently completed putting together the components of a new AMD build. The only components plugged into the mobo are the CPU, memory and video card. However, when we turned it on and started it up, all the fans and LED's ran, but nothing came up on the monitor. We tried the memory in a different PC and it worked fine. We tried the video card (Radeon 9800 XT) in a different computer and it worked fine.

Here's the kicker. The other comp I tried the Radeon in was running XP and it booted up just fine with new card. It detected new hardware in windows, but before it got anywhere, i shut off the computer (didn't have mouse or keyboard plugged in, so I just turned it off). Now, that computer (not the new build) is showing the EXACT SAME symptoms as our new build. When it turns on, lights and fans but nothing from the monitor. This happens with the Radeon, or with the original card (Gainward GeForce 3).

At a loss for things to do, I tried resetting the CMOS, but it didn't appear to do anything. Same symptoms. Any ideas?

[Guinness]

Okay, so it seems in all the unswcrewing and grabbing of parts, I knocked the power supply connector loose on the (previously) working computer where tested the Radeon. It works fine now, and both video cards work okay on it.

Unfortunately, the same fix didn't apply on the new build. We're still stuck with the same black screen on startup.

Looking around the forums, I see mention of bad mobo's being the cause of similar problems. Is this a case of that? Or am I missing some subtle, but important nuance in my plagued PC?

[Panama Red]

How bout some specs? Model numbers and brands including power supply size and maker. You may have a bad motherboard but too early to tell just yet. I had the same thing recently and it was a bad mobo. Mine was a P4 board tho

[Cricket]

Do you have the motherboard in or out of the case? Did you try HAL9000's troubleshooter yet?

Cricket

[Guinness]

Trying the out of case build. I'll post again with the results of that (and all specs and stuff).

[Cheeky Monkey]

(I am the other part of "we" in Guinness's posts)

Well, I have pinpointed the problem after a few troubleshooting calls to Asus. The memory I was attempting to use was a pair of Corsair TwinX PC-3700. The problem is, these sticks are unbuffered which is not supported on the SK8V board we were trying to use. Tonight I will be RMAing the non-ECC into newegg and getting it replaced with memory that is registered.

While I am on the subject, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations between OCZ's version ( http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...146-940&depa=0 ), Corsair's version (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-476&depa=0 ), and Kingston's version (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...144-130&depa=0). Kingston's is the most expensive and has the highest latency but is the only one specifically recommended by Asus. Corsair's version and OCZ's version seem identical in numbers but differ in price by about 90$. Perhaps there is more there than just paying for the name brand? Alrighty, thanks.

P.S. The first thing that the Asus tech support people told me to try was the take the mobo out of the case and plug in essentials, etc. I suppose there is more to HAL9000's method than there seems. Perhaps it is to check for shorts from the placement screws or EMI interference from the case? Morale of the story: if you wait on hold for an hour on the phone you will get the exact same info as you would here.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Cheeky Monkey Well, I have pinpointed the problem after a few troubleshooting calls to Asus. The memory I was attempting to use was a pair of Corsair TwinX PC-3700. The problem is, these sticks are unbuffered which is not supported on the SK8V board we were trying to use. Tonight I will be RMAing the non-ECC into newegg and getting it replaced with memory that is registered.

This is why it's so important to include the system specs when asking for help...we could have told you right away that you needed ECC RAM for that system.

Originally Posted by Cheeky Monkey While I am on the subject, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations between OCZ's version ( http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...146-940&depa=0 ), Corsair's version (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-476&depa=0 ), and Kingston's version (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...144-130&depa=0). Kingston's is the most expensive and has the highest latency but is the only one specifically recommended by Asus. Corsair's version and OCZ's version seem identical in numbers but differ in price by about 90$. Perhaps there is more there than just paying for the name brand? Alrighty, thanks.

To be safe, go with the RAM that is recommended by ASUS...get the Kingston ECC RAM.

Originally Posted by Cheeky Monkey P.S. The first thing that the Asus tech support people told me to try was the take the mobo out of the case and plug in essentials, etc. I suppose there is more to HAL9000's method than there seems. Perhaps it is to check for shorts from the placement screws or EMI interference from the case?

It checks to see if your motherboard is shorting out to the case or not...usually from an extra standoff that should have been removed from the motherboard mounting tray.

Originally Posted by Cheeky Monkey Morale of the story: if you wait on hold for an hour on the phone you will get the exact same info as you would here.

That's very true. Since I found PC Mech, I've never had to called Tech Support for any computer problems.

Cricket