Comp won't start!

[AdmiralFace]

I built a computer about 20 mins ago... in all respects it should work, new motherboard, trusted second hand ram and refurbed CPU, no gfx as of yet...

The comp will turn on and start to boot. It stops after a few seconds and stays in a sort of dead state, not on but not off.

Specs:
AMD Sempron 2400+
256Mb PC133 168pin RAM
MSI MS-6511 Motherboard
350w PSU

It's not being built for the obvious massive amounts of power emanating from the amazing Sempron CPU and integrated GFX.

I don't know what the problem could be.. It doesn't make any beeping sounds, and the display does (briefly) receive a signal... help! please!

 

[bigboxes]

Check to see if the cpu fan is connected to the motherboard. If it's not connected or is not spinning fast enough a shutdown will occur within a few seconds.

 

[AdmiralFace]

So... Iv fiddled about a bit... Took off the heatsink and put it back, put another fan on so theyr all being used... so now it beeps in groups of three, not turning off and not booting...

 

[AdmiralFace]

scratch that. turns on, but the output to either of my monitors just flickers around....

 

[VirtualLarry]

Not sure why you're bothering with such old hardware.

I think three beeps is RAM error, maybe?

 

[AdmiralFace]

Yeah the three bleeps was a ram error, now is a video out issue..

I am bothering with such crappy old parts because I'm having fun with the idea of an oil cooled computer... and I don't want to sink to much money into it.. unless it's successful, in which case I'l put a fair amount of cash into building a gaming comp and some more into the awesome submersed oil cooling system.

 

[Blunc]

have you cleared/reset BIOS?

 

[AdmiralFace]

have you cleared/reset BIOS?

There's normally a button r something to do that isn't there? I can't find how to reset the BIOS on this mobo, it's nicely user un-friendly.

 

[BoomerD]

There's normally a button r something to do that isn't there? I can't find how to reset the BIOS on this mobo, it's nicely user un-friendly.

If you can't find a reset button, pull the battery.

 

[AdmiralFace]

If you can't find a reset button, pull the battery.

Cheers, pulled, and no difference, integ. gfx could be dead?

 

[llee]

Are you able to reach the BIOS menu?

 

[stuckinasquare3]

It's not a button, usually it's two or three pins. my mobo has two pins and you wanna short them to reset the bios (take a screw driver and touch it between the two pins for 3 seconds). Make sure the power to the board is unplugged AND as an added precaution, everytime you pull the plug out, press the power button again to clear any stored charge. Leave the cmos battery in, and try shorting them. That's what worked for mine. Obviously there's a million reasons why it wouldn't work but its a start

 

[AdmiralFace]

Okay, reset didn't work. I'm looking around and as far as I can tell, my Sempron pos should work with the motherboard, and the PSU is brand new and definitely works. Could it be a RAM issue?

 

[stuckinasquare3]

yes. pay attention to your error codes. also, try unplugging everything that is unnecessary. Assuming all your power cords are connected (did you remember the CPU power?) just leave that 1 stick of ram in and the cpu and the monitor and see if it works. Make sure the ram is good. Try the other slots. See if you have an extra stick lying around. Do you have a case speaker

 

[AdmiralFace]

Yeah it was a cpu issue, I took off the heat sink, cos im cool like that and tried it, the cpu immediately complained about the lack of its heatsink and shutdown. put heatsink back and it's all cured... Doesn't sound too healthy but it's happy for now

yes. pay attention to your error codes. also, try unplugging everything that is unnecessary. Assuming all your power cords are connected (did you remember the CPU power?) just leave that 1 stick of ram in and the cpu and the monitor and see if it works. Make sure the ram is good. Try the other slots. See if you have an extra stick lying around. Do you have a case speaker

It's a microatx board, no CPU power, all comes from teh main doo dah. The ram was fine and i literally built it lastnight it has no lovely additions like a graphics or video card so no issue there. just a minor CPU issue.