Computer wont power up at all

[bschie]

Ok yesterday I built my new computer (specs will be at bottom of post) and ran into a few problems like everytime I build a comp.
1. Couldn't install windows with the dvd-rw I had so I used my roommates 52x to install it. So that problem was fixed
2. After I installed windows, it kept restarting like I pushed the reset button. So I turned off the auto-restart feature on windows and it said I had a memory dumb. So I looked at the bios and the CAS was set to 2.5 and one of my sticks was at CAS 3 so I set it to 3 and that was fixed.
3. :banghead: But here is my current problem. I was playing far cry for about 45mins or an hour and then all of a suddent my computer turns off. So then I try to turn it back on and it doesn't even power up. I notice that it tries to because some of the LEDs flash for a fraction of a second. I tried letting it cool down and even sprayed compressed air into the cpu fan and still doesn't work.

Specs:

AMD Athalon XP 2700+
Albatron K600S Pro
1 stick of 256mb pc2700 ram with CAS of 2.5
1 stick of 512mb pc3200 ram with CAS of 3
Leadtek Nvidia 5950 Ultra 256mb
1 Western Digital 80gb 7200 IDE rpm drive with 8mb buffer
1 Maxtor 30gb 7200 rpm IDE drive
1 Lite-on DVD-rw drive
430W psu that came with case

[Thrax]

Mixing sticks of RAM, <b>especially</b> of different speed grades as you did, is very bad. Remove the PC2700.

[bschie]

Mixing sticks of RAM, <b>especially</b> of different speed grades as you did, is very bad. Remove the PC2700.

ok I took out the pc2700 and put the pc3200 into slot 1 and still nothing :(

[Geeky1]

I have never, ever, ever ever ever ever ever had a problem mixing sticks of ram. Ever ever ever. It sounds to me like your power supply is dead.

[Clutch]

Clear the cmos, and and check your PSU like Geeky said. Double check all of your ribbon cables, etc...

[bschie]

thanks everyone, i think i have it werked out. After taking out the pc2700 mem and clearing the cmos, I got my psu tester from my g/f's house and installed it, took the power connectors out of the video card, HDDs, and dvd leaving only the fans hooked up because well i dont care about them. Then i hook up the tester and flip the switch in the back and boom, doesn't even power up. So I'm gonna buy a new bigger psu

[edcentric]

Look at how the PSU is rated. I don't care too much what the total rating is. I am using psus with ratings from 320W to 480W. What I look for is the total combined power to the 3.3V and 5V lines, I want 220W or more. Oh, and it needs to be heavy. Mass is good in transformers and heat sinks, it helps the psu survive fluxuations in input power.
And always use a UPS.

[LawnMM]

Look and make sure you plugged the PSU power line into the mobo securely. I've found more than once that it wasn't snapped in when I thought it was.

[Geeky1]

Don't just buy a bigger PSU- buy a good quality PSU. All power supplies are not created equal. I've seen generic "550w" power supplies that blew up on me at <300w. Get an Antec, Enermax, or PC Power & Cooling power supply.

[Clutch]

As a general rule, you can have two power suppies, both 500w. Ususally the one that weighs a little more will be the better of the two.

[bschie]

i'm not gonna buy a generic one.... i went down that road once and lets just say something bad happened. I'm thinking of getting the antec 480w

[LawnMM]

Thats kind of excessive if you aren't going to overclock.

[Straight_Man]

i'm not gonna buy a generic one.... i went down that road once and lets just say something bad happened. I'm thinking of getting the antec 480w

Good idea. You should have about 75-85 Watts of output pool capcity free to use for upgrades and maybe some mild OCing, and that much overcapacity will also not hurt what you have now. TECHNICALLY, a good 430 W should be enough if money is tight, but if you can afford the 480 W might as well spend now and not have to replace with bigger when you upgrade-- it is because of not needing to be spending a large chunk AGAIN just to get 50-60 more Watts that I said to go for it now if you have the money available.

[Geeky1]

Yeah. Hell, if you really want to go all out, pick up a 550w Antec. No need for it really, but at least you won't need to upgrade power supplies for a long, long time. :D