Is my motherboard dead?

[rickjbr]

I'm building a PC for the first time. After installing the minimum components necessary to make it run and observe (video card, ram, processor + heat sink/fan, power supply, monitor), there is no power. The LED on the motherboard is lit, but that doesn't seem to mean anything. I had the power button connector plugged in and hit the power button; nothing happened. I also tried placing a screwdriver across the 2 prongs; this also didn't work. I have both the 20 pin connector and the 4 pin connector securely in place in their proper locations on the motherboard. I can't even get the fan on the power supply to run or any of the other fans in the system. Should the power supply fan run regardless of whether or not the motherboard is good? Should I return my motherboard? The processor does not appear to be damaged. I have also used 2 different power supplies to test the system. One was a POWMAX 400W (I heard this is a piece of junk) and the other was an ANTEC True Power 430W.

Asus P4P800 deluxe motherboard
P4 3ghz 800mhz fsb

[Blue_Gundam2002]

Have you tried getting it to run outside of your case? There could be something shorting it out.

[rickjbr]

Yes. I have it placed on a cardboard box and have already tried running it outside the case. There are no screws inserted in it.

[Blue_Gundam2002]

Do you have the case speaker plugged in? If you do, do you hear any beeps?

[Markoman01027]

If you have properly short circuited the motherboard to power up thru the use of a screwdriver and nothing happened, then it could be the motherboard or the power supply.

Try another Power supply and use the same technique.

[rickjbr]

I touched a slotted screwdriver to the two pins that normally you would plug the front panel power connector to the motherboard. I'm not sure if this is right, but only the side panels come off my case, not the front. I already tried two power supplies. One Antec 430W and one PowMax 400W; both had similar results. I pretty much assume the power supply is good.

[Cricket]

It really sounds as if the motherboard is the problem...but are you certain you're touching the right set of pins to try to start the system up?

Cricket

[rickjbr]

I put a slotted screwdriver on the 5th set of pins from the right. According to my manual, these are the pins to which the power button on the front panel should be connected. Do you think maybe I should purchase another motherboard and test it and return the other if it is indeed faulty?

[human1987]

I doubt you have read my reply. http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...threadid=95032
As what i've said, you might be having the same problem as my.
Try changing the motherboard. I think that the motherboard is dead

[rickjbr]

I read your reply but I guess I forgot to respond to it. Yes, we are having similar problems. But my LED stays solid. Yours blinking would seem to make the problem slightly different. If I can't find a solution, I think I will try another motherboard.

[human1987]

Hmm. The LED that flashed once was the Power Switch LED. If I am not wrong, the LED you are mentioning about is the LED that is on the motherboard? The green LED yeah?
My green LED on the motherboard is lighted too (SOLID)
Hmm, can't you go back and get a 1 to 1 exchange on the board? Your current board isn't that bad

[rickjbr]

Probably can get an exchange, but I bought it online, so it'll likely be a hassle and I won't be up and running for another week at least.

[human1987]

So, perhaps try getting an Intel board. During the servicing of the ASUS board, I borrowed an Intel board for the time being. It's not bad either

[rickjbr]

LOL I figured out the problem. I had the power button connector vertically instead of horizontally, so I was never actually turning it on, which explains why nothing was powered. I'm an idiot. Thanks for your help though everyone. Everything is working now.

[Cricket]

Originally posted by rickjbr LOL I figured out the problem. I had the power button connector vertically instead of horizontally, so I was never actually turning it on, which explains why nothing was powered. I'm an idiot. Thanks for your help though everyone. Everything is working now.

I had a strong feeling this was the problem, that's why I asked about the pins earlier. The pins are small and sometimes hard to see, especially when the motherboard is mounted in the case and you don't use a flashlight to illuminate the pins. And sometimes the manual is just plain wrong so you have to double check with the silk screened pin identification on the motherboard.

Don't worry, we've all done this at one time or another.

Cricket