Comp won't post, but it powers on...

[Rav3n]

I was using an Asus A7M266, Corsair PC2400 2x256 mb sticks, WD SE 120GB, Gainward GF4 4600, SB Platinum Live 5.1, Pioneer 16x DVD, Plextor 24x10x40 CD-RW, some floppy drive, IDE ZIP 100, 3com network card, Hauppage TV tuner, all matched with an Athlon 1.4 GHz. I ramped up the memory clock from 133 mhz to 141 (I had the cooling for it - SK6 heatsink, AS II, a bunch of 80 mm fans all in a skyhawk case - forgot the model...) and I was using a Digital Doc 5 (so f*ck*ng annoying in my opinion) to make sure the case temp didn't go nuts. Oh yeah, using an Enermax 431w Whisper PS. Well, I started having problems, and what can you expect after a year of OCing this thing... One day I packed up the computer, put it in a wooden chest, left for a week... I came back, hooked up all the peripherals, and the pc wouldn't POST. I hadn't unplugged anything internally, so I thought this was strange. I thought maybe the processor fried or was just on its last legs. I picked up an Asus A7V8x with all the glitz (but not the gold sample), and an Athlon XP 2200+. Swapped mobos and processors, I used the AMD heatsink, but threw on a big Delta fan, instead of the stock fan, and I kept the thermal junk they used (just in case something went wrong, its easy enough to do a return and not have to clean off AS II). I plugged everything back in - addin cards, ide devices, everything... comp didn't post - it got power, but it never posted and no beeps or anything. I removed all the addin cards, tried again, nothing. I removed IDE devices, tried again, nothing. I tried the 1.4 proc I had, nothing. I bought Samsung memory - the exact kind used the Anandtech review of the mobo - 2 sticks, each 256 mb, pc2700. NOTHING! I tried switching the ram around, sockets 1 and 3, 2 and 3, 1 and 2... it didn't work. I have tested my video card - it works fine - great actually - so I know thats not it... I cleared the CMOS and tried again... NOTHING!

I have been troubleshooting PC's for a long time, but I am completely lost... PLEASE HELP ME FIND MY WAY! I have also switched power cords, switched outlets, but I have a feeling its either the mobo (and i have had problems like this with asus mobo's for whatever reason) or I dunno... but for 2 mobos, 2 sets of ram, 2 processors not to work in any configuration... thats just strange in my opinion... whatever help anyone can give would be great.

 

[Rav3n]

Err, forgot to subscribe to the thread... DOH!

 

[DIRTsquirt]

take it out of the case and see if it fires with just: ram , hsf, proc, video card... could be a case shorting incedent..
if not I would borrow your best buds powersupply and give it whirl

 

[Rav3n]

in removing the mobo from the case, would I be detaching the power supply connectors on the mobo to the case, and powering up using the kill switch on the PS - or should I simply remove the mobo tray and leave things connected on the outside? And, what exactly is "case shorting?"

 

[amdskip]

Case shorting is when two conductive pieces of metal touch and they are supposed to be touching. This can cause your computer not to start.

Just take the motherboard out of the case, no try or anything. Put a working video card in it, memory processor, heatsink & fan, and the power supply. Hook that up (do not hook anything else up, it's not necessary) and then use a metal screw drive to touch the two pins that normally the p/s connector from the case connects too and it should start up if everything is working ok.

 

[Buz2b]

then use a metal screw drive to touch the two pins that normally the p/s connector from the case connects too and it should start up

Just to clarify a bit, he means the two pins that the Power Switch connects to on the MB. Use the flat blade of a screwdriver to connect them briefly (short them) and it acts like the switch which should start the system. Heck, if the switch wires will reach it doesn't do any harm to connect them but not using the switch removes it from your potential list of hardware failures.

 

[Rav3n]

Ok, I removed the mobo from the case, detached it from the mobo tray, and rested the mobo on a cardboard box. The case wires were able to reach the power pins, so I attached those (just power, reset and speaker). I left the ps in the case - does that make a difference?

Well, just connecting processor, heatsink/fan, ps (while inside the case), ram, and a working vid card I still got nothing. The computer powers, the fans on the processor and the vid card spin, and the green indicator light goes on on the mobo (for power), but the comp does not beep, does not flash, etc. I tried different combos of RAM, bank 1, bank 2, banks 1 and 2... nothing.

Someone from enermax told me to stick a paper clip in the 13th and 14th pins to short them, and that if it worked, the ps was normal... I didn;t try that because I didn't want to electrocute myself - can someone clarify this?

 

[Talon667]

I had a simliar problem when i built my last computer but it was just my PS wasn't powerful enough. But it sounds like your PS IS, but given that you have switched out the all the main hardware, I would try a differnt PS. OC'ing can wear out PS too, esp w/ all those periph. I mean after all, you've hit up everything else.

 

[Buz2b]

Someone from enermax told me to stick a paper clip in the 13th and 14th pins to short them, and that if it worked, the ps was normal... I didn;t try that because I didn't want to electrocute myself - can someone clarify this?

I'm not sure what they were talking about but I wouldn't do it; period. It already sounds like your PS is powering up the components as it is.
At this point, I think you need to isolate the components a bit more. The first would be the CPU since it would be the main suspect in your situation and with your symptoms. Yes, not everyone has a "spare" CPU laying around but maybe you could take yours to a local shop and have them run a test on it for a "reasonable fee", if you don't have a friend with an AMD CPU.
BTW, just for "giggles", skip the connections for the Power switch, speaker and reset on the MB. Just use the screwdriver method (short the two pins) to start the machine for this test.

 

[Rav3n]

I emailed back the rep from Enermax, I just lied and told her I tried what she wanted and that it didn't work - I am not going to kill myself over a power supply...

Does enermax have a bad reputation? I always thought it to be a quality brand, and thats why I went for such a powerful PS from them...

Could there be something wrong with my case speaker?

Could dropping a power supply ruin it? I don't think I dropped it ever, but I guess it could have moved around a little too much...