M/b doa?
 

I just put the new parts into my friends computer, but now it won't even go to BIOS. I just get a black screen. What is going on? It has onboard video and everything is connected correctly. What do you thing is wrong?

Remove parts and check. If display returns, probably the SMPS is not powerful enough to power the additions.

Hi,
When you put the Motherboard in did you use the insulator washers for the mount screws? Make sure all standoffs have a access hole (no extra standoffs that don't mate). What about the 'HSF' is the fan turning? Is the PSU fan turning?

What about the processor, did you use compound or tape for the HSF? What Motherboard? ANY beeps? What number or duration?

One of the most common reasons for a newly built PC to fail to start is the failure to connect everything inside the computer. Re-check your work. Have you connected all drives properly? Check the data cables and power connections? Is the power cable connected to the motherboard? Double check the main connector. There may be a 4 wire connector that sisters to the 20 wire main plug. Make sure it is also plugged in properly. Is there a separate 4 wire power plug that needs to be connected to the mother between the CPU socket and the back of the board? Are all fans plugged in?

Are your keyboard, mouse and display plugged in? Is the power connection plugged in?

It sounds like a simple thing but most times systems don't start it's because you forgot something or something has come loose.

Finally, as a last resort it may be something else in your system that needed to be replaced instead of or in addition to your motherboard.

Everything is connected it. The fans turn, the power light comes on and the PSU fan turns. The HSF works, the HS TC is on and everything. I talked to one of the techs at my school who has been doing computers for some time now and he said to check the battery CMOS battery (work whatever it is called). Make sure it is seated and that it isn't dead

Hi,

The CMOS battery wouldn't pose the symptoms that you gave. If the battery were dead the BIOS would still init, you could remove the battery. But every time you powered down then up you would have to setup the configuration when you powered up again.

I would remove all boards that may be in the slots. Once you confirm the system powers then add back one at a time. Do you hear any system beeps on power up? Reseat your memory sticks. What is the MB manufacture, model? What about the new PSU? Do you have all the power connection to the MB? Reseat each one.

It is this board: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130182

it has onboard graphics...

If everything seems OK and there is no display, try pressing down on the heat sink that sits over the northbridge.

okay I will do that once I get over to her house....

Lord Xeb,

I think your pc technician pal was referring NOT to the battery but to clearing the CMOS.

Unplug the power cord from the back of the PC .
Do NOT just turn off the PSU switch because the backup voltage will still work!
Hold the pc's power button down for short while to drain all the power out of the system.
Now move the CMOS jumper to the CLEAR position. Consult your motherboard manual for how to do this.
If you look where the battery and your SATA connections are located, nearby should be a very TINY 3 pin arrangement, with an even tinier jumper/connector.
Get a torch and some long-nosed pliers or similar and don't lose the jumper!
Default is usually 1 and 2 connected by jumper.
To CLEAR (i.e. short out) CMOS put the jumper on pins 2 and 3 for a few seconds.
Then reset the jumper to its NORMAL position (1 and 2).
Plug in the power supply and see if it will boot.

You did not mention what sort of RAM you are using. If it is high performance memory, you often need to increase the default voltage in the BIOS from, say, 1.8v or 1.9v to 2.1v or more.
This is done by inserting ONE stick of RAM only, go into BIOS, increase DDR RAM voltage, save and exit. Switch off pc.
Add second stick of RAM.
Switch on pc and keep fingers crossed.

it is just normal value ram. I had high reviews on it. It is DDR2 ram and I cannot access the bios because nothing comes up. Just a blank screen.

Hi,
Actually keeping the power switch pressed will do nothing. This is just a sense signal to a trigger to start the PSU. Isolation from the PSU. Unlike Older 'AT' system which controlled the source directly the 'ATX' type PSU uses a isolation technique.

Removal of the AC supply will be sufficient. The shorting block will clear the 'CMOS'. Be sure to place the shorting block back to the '1-2' pin position. If you haven't heard any beeps on power up then this could be the problem or you could have a dead board. Don't wait too long because Newegg has a RMA program that has restrictions.

Okay, that is all I needed to hear because I do not hear any beeps. I will return it monday.

Hi,

You did clear the 'CMOS' as suggested? We need feedback as I'm not standing behind when you are working on the machine.

onebuck,

Thanks for pointing out the bit about the power button.
I forgot to install several software updates for my brain!

I do strongly agree with you that it would be beneficial for those requiring help to give more details in their feedback when helpers have raised specific points or asked particular questions.

LordXeb, I am not having a go at you, but all posters who need help should appreciate that those who are trying to help are not clairvoyants.

The more feedback that is given will hopefully result in the problems being solved more quickly.

Gets off high horse and walks into sunset! Exit stage right.