New Built Computer won't POST

[rpeAMP]

I just built a computer today and booted it for the first time with just the RAM, CPU, HD, and video card installed. I turned on the system and the fans were running, hard drive spinning etc., but no POST (not even any video). Then I turned it off, pulled the CMOS battery for several hours, then turned it back on. This time it did post, but it froze up hard after about 5 minutes on. Now I can't seem to get it to boot anymore. No beeps, only power light on and HDD light stays solid.

Also, if I push down on the motherboard near the IDE cables, the computer will start just as if the power button was pushed(?!). This doesn't sound normal. :-/ Do I have a grounding problem possibly?

Athlon 1800XP
Abit KR7A-133 DDR
256 PC2100 DDR RAM
nVidia TNT2 Pro (using DVI output)
IBM DeskStar 60GB HD

I have done everything I know of. Any advice?

BTW- When the computer did boot the first time, the BIOS reported the CPU temp at 104 degrees fahrenheit and the case as 85 degrees fahrenheit

[Sterling_Aug]

I would take the motherboard out of the case and lay it on cardboard with plastic as an insulator. Test the system again since you must have a ground/short somewhere.

[rpeAMP]

Thanks for the input! Yes, I will try that. If I do have a short, how would you suggest I go about fixing it?

[Jimstep]

Make sure you memory is seated good. Also, make sure that the cpu is getting proper cooling.

[gibsinep]

OK, then we're going to start from scratch.

1) Remove EVERYTHING from the case
2) Set the motherboard on a non conductive surface. The motherboard box is perfect for this. .We are going to try and assemble a running system outside of the case.
3) Install the CPU and heat sink.
4) Install the RAM (only install 1 stick for SDRAM, 2 for RDRAM)
5) Install the video card
6) Connect the monitor to the video card.
7) Connect the power supply to the motherboard.
8) Connect power to the power supply
9) Do NOT connect ANYTHING else. Make sure you have the power connector on the CPU fan connected.
10) Use a small screwdriver to momentarily short the power switch connector on the motherboard. You short the board by placing the screwdriver where the Power SW swicth would plug into.

If all is well, it should power up and you should get a display. If not, then you most likely have a faulty component. Do this and and post your results, then we will get it all assembled in the case and get this thing running.

[rpeAMP]

Ok, great! It is running now. Can someone help me with bolting this motherboard on to the case. Obviously I didn't do it right the first time. :confused: Should I go ahead and configure everything and then put the motherboard in the case or put it in there first?

Thanks to all who replied!! :)

[rpeAMP]

^^^

[gibsinep]

ok,

What you were doing was shorting the mobo out on the case.

Look for golden colered pegs that screw in. Put them in first then screw your motherboard into those.

Thats it.,

[rpeAMP]

Thanks for your continued input, gibsinep...

I got the motherboard and it booted enough several times. In fact, I installed Windows and several other programs. Then, deciding that my current video card needed an upgrade to match the capabilities of the system, I went out and bought a geForce 3 Ti500 and came home and installed it. This is when the problems happened. When I booted back up after installation, I got a message that said something to the effect of "CPU has changed. Please rework CPU.". I hit 'Del' to go to the BIOS to change some of the CPU settings and after 2-3 seconds, the system locked up hard. Then, thinking it was just a one-timer, I rebooted and it did it again. Finally, I rebooted, and nothing. No video, no beeps, no nothing. Just the HDD LED which stayed on for about 5-10 seconds.

PLEASE tell me that there is an easy fix to this and that I don't have to reseat the motherboard or something of that sort. :)

Like I said, everything was fine until I replaced the video card. Any ideas?

[rextex]

Sorry, but doubt it'll be easy!
Take that video card out first and put in the old one.
See if it works again.
Get your settings back to where it worked.
If it doesn't work that way, you can guess as well as I that it is not the Video card.
You'll have to take stuff out again.At least check that the CPU and RAM are seated correctly.
Check around the edges of the board near where the case meets the backside of the board,Slots,etc..Maybe something there is grounding.
Remove and replug the power supply connector.
Good Luck!

[rpeAMP]

Thanks for the input. I will do that. Hopefully that card is bad. That would be the easiest thing to fix at this point.

[gibsinep]

I think it may be a bad video card or 2 other things.

A. when installing it you shocked another compnoet with statci electricity.


B. You accedently made a bad choice in changing somthing in the BIOS and fried or messed it up.

Try taking the battery out set it down for a few minutes. Then put it back in. That may help if the card isn't bad.