Can't get a new PC to turn on.

clozepinclozepin
edited March 2005 in Hardware
I just built a new PC (new cpu, MB, ram. HD, Vid card, sound card not new.) I got everything in, hit the power and the heat sink fan spun for about a second, then stopped. I took everything out, put it all back in and the same thing happened. What could be keeping the power from kicking in?

Thanks.

Comments

  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited March 2005
    Most companies have fixed the problem these days, but it used to be a common nuisance that the CPU fan speed detector would screw up the boot process. It takes a second or two for the fan to spin up to full speed and the bios would be set to shut off the machine if the speed dropped below a certain threshold. A real Catch-22. :(

    This was usually fixed by adding a delay to the time between when low fan speed was detected and system shutdown.

    You do have the cpu fan connected to the proper header, right?

    You should also try booting with just a barebones configuration - CPU, ram, and Video Card only. If you can get into the bios, check the low cpu fan speed setting. Once you're satisfied that it is not the problem, add in the other devices one-by-one to see if one of them is causing the trouble.

    What motherboard and power supply do you have?
  • clozepinclozepin
    edited March 2005
    Thanks for a quick reply.

    I removed everything at one point but the CPU, fan and RAM, and it still wouldn't start up.

    EPOX "EP-8KRAI-X" VIA KT600 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL

    The CPU is a brand new AMD|2700 /333 ATHLON XP RTL.

    Case/PowerSupply: CASE POWMAX|CPXMAN-02 480W RT

    I also tried swapping out the power supply with another that I have, known to work, and same result.

    My gut says the MB is defective, but if I can do anything to avoid the hassle of returning it and waiting for a new one, I will.
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited March 2005
    I had the same problem with a board I had several years ago. A new bios fixed it. The hitch was that I couldn't flash the bios without getting it to start up.

    Two things you might try:

    1) Try holding down the "Insert" key as you press the power button. This sometimes will automatically take you into the bios.

    2) Before I learned the above nifty trick I would just keep hitting the power button over and over. Usually it took anywhere from 5-10 tries, but eventually it would start up.

    One other thing to check is the cmos jumper. Some boards come with it set in the "Reset" position. Make sure it is set to "Normal".

    Good Luck! :)
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited March 2005
    Build it outside of the case, on wood or other non-conductive material, and see if it still does it.
  • clozepinclozepin
    edited March 2005
    I'll give that a try. New problem might hamper this tough: Now the fan won't even spin for a second.

    I tried moving the jumper earlier, no luck.

    The irony here: I bought the new parts because my old PC would shut itself down. The heat sink fan broke (er, I should say, I broke the fan...and I think it caused the CPU to overheat.) I figured it was time for an upgrade anyway.

    Thanks again.

    This is a very cool site. I've been checking out the other boards. Nice community you got here.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited March 2005
    Welcome to short-media :)
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited March 2005
    clozepin wrote:
    I'll give that a try. New problem might hamper this tough: Now the fan won't even spin for a second...
    Turn off the power switch for a minute or two, then try again.
    This is a very cool site. I've been checking out the other boards. Nice community you got here.
    Thanks! :D
  • clozepinclozepin
    edited March 2005
    I've had it off for a while. Nothing.

    I'm going to send it back and get a replacement. I just hope it's the MB. I'd hate to get the replacement and be in the same spot.

    My old MB was spec'd up to 1.8Ghz. The new CPU I got is 2.17. If I try to install that in the old MB, will it screw it up?

    Thanks for the welcome!
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited March 2005
    clozepin wrote:
    My old MB was spec'd up to 1.8Ghz. The new CPU I got is 2.17. If I try to install that in the old MB, will it screw it up?...
    Underclocking it shouldn't hurt a thing, as long as the type of processor is compatible. You might want to try the old CPU (and memory, if compatible)in the new board, too. That ought to narrow it down.

    Sorry to hear of your troubles... :(
  • TexTex Dallas/Ft. Worth
    edited March 2005
    Also.... try.. disconecting the power supply from the MB and then remove the battery for about.... one or two beers..

    Return and reinstall the battery and reconnect the psu and power that baby on.

    Dont be afraid to remove power up AND DOWN and KEEP trying as some times it takes a few times to get it right.

    Its supposed to read the correct cpu setting and sync up and I have had to muck with some MB's for 30 to 60 minutes and suddenly they find the cpu and work correctly for ever more.

    Tex
  • clozepinclozepin
    edited March 2005
    OK, I got the pc to power up, but now it reads "CPU fan not responding", however, the cpu fan is spinning away. What does this indicate?

    AHHHHH!!! And I'm down a hand having cut my left ring finger open. When it rains, it friggin pours.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited March 2005
    It means the RPM monitor for the fan isn't plugged in.
  • TexTex Dallas/Ft. Worth
    edited March 2005
    It means

    a) you have a cool new quiet heat sink fan that runs at a low rpm (too low for the bios) or

    b) You plugged the cpu fan into the wrong header. Check in the bios and see if the rpm's are just low or zero to tell ya the answer.

    Tex
  • clozepinclozepin
    edited March 2005
    I have it plugged into the right pins, and I can;t get into the BIOS. I press delete (or F8 ) assd I hit enter but it will only go to the CPU FAN NOT RESPONDING message.
  • clozepinclozepin
    edited March 2005
    OK, I got to the BIOS. It says CPU fan speed 0. I see it spinning though.
  • leishi85leishi85 Grand Rapids, MI Icrontian
    edited March 2005
    what's it say on the header that u haver your CPU fan plugged into??

    or it could be the rpm monitor have gone bad.
  • clozepinclozepin
    edited March 2005
    Gaara = Badass. Because of my recent pc problems I haven't seen the lastest Naruto. Hopefully I can get it now.
    i disabeled the cpu fan detec
    I seem to have the PC going pretty well at the moment. Apparently the new mb i got is defective. And I think the new case I got as well.
  • TexTex Dallas/Ft. Worth
    edited March 2005
    The case is defective?

    Tex
  • clozepinclozepin
    edited March 2005
    Yeah Tex, it looks like I got 2 defective items in my order. The power connector plug doesn't seem to regiser and the MB doesn'tpower up. I used the old MB in the new case and got nothing. In the old case it works fine. The new MB won't power up in either. I love newegg, but every once in a while I seem to get lemons.

    Thanks for your help.
  • clozepinclozepin
    edited March 2005
    Everything seems to be working fine. I have a 2.2GHz Processor in a MB that's only spec'd for 1.8. What could happen if I push the CPU up to 2.2? I have it running at 1.8 right now, but I'm a greedy speed freak and I want that last .4, but I don't want to blow my MB.

    Thanks.
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