computer building woes

[genova]

i started assembling my computer today and it was back aching. Anyway, I've ran into a couple of problems. First of all, I connected the monitor cable to the agp card but nothing comes up on screen when I bot the computer. Also the computer's LED light doesn't work! (I think i connected it wrong even though I followed the manual).. On top of that, I too apart the heatsink and fan and I think I put the fan On backwards! Damn...anyone know wh\y the monitor is not working?

 

[obenton]

If the LED doesn't light, reverse the connector - the polarity has to be correct for it to work. If that doesn't correct it, check the connection at the LED end - sometimes the wires pull loose and have to be soldered back on. AGP cards sometimes have to be pushed in rather firmly to get seated properly - sometimes I've even had to loosen the screws holding down the MB, in order to raise the MB a bit, in order to seat them. Same with the cpu and memory - sometimes they don't seat unless pushed in rather firmly. And some cpus won't work unless the bracket is fully snapped into place.

 

[genova]

the agp is in because the fan starts when i turn the comp on. also, the on/off button doesn't work! ill try o reverse the led anbd see if that'll work

 

[genova]

Also the Via KT133 Chipset is covered by this green plastic thing. Should i remove it? My mobo is an Asus A7V.

 

[genova]

Also, the cd drive won't open even though the power connector is connected to it...so many problems!

 

[DBavaria]

lol once a long time ago on my 386, i plugged in the speaker wire backwards, and lol,, it burrned up, i went and bought a new crappy case it was stuipid

 

[dszd0g]

It sounds like you might be plugging the LEDs, power switch, reset switch, speaker block in wrong. Count pins and make sure you are attaching them in the right place. The LEDs typically just won't light if they are plugged in backwards. Usually the power and reset switch don't matter which way they are plugged in, but I have had to reverse them before. The manual should have which side is positive and which side is negative.

 

[genova]

well, I've reversed the led switches and everything lights up when I plug in the computer. But the big problem is tyhat I'm not getting anything on the monitor! . The monitor doesnn't evenj turn on when i boot up my comp! Is it some compatability question? I have an Old trinitron 15" monitor. And my off/on button still doesn't work! And what abut the green cover over the Via chip? Do I leave it there? Akso why can't I open my CD Drive even when uit's connectedted to the power supply? Am I doing something wrong here?

Edit: My monitor is a Sony trinitron CPD-100VS

 

[Nick Stone]

genova
You have to have CPU, Ram and video plugged in. And of course, you have to have the momemtary contact "start" switch on the correct terminals, the MB 20 pin connector (for ATX MB's) and monitor plugged in. Also attach speaker connection so you can here any beeps at startup. You don't need to attach anything else yet.
Make sure power is getting to CPU and monitor and power supply switch is on (if you have one) and 115/230 Volt switch is set to 115.
If it still doesn't work, try an old video card, different ram or different slot. Try CPU without mounting bracket.
The green thing is an alluminum heatsink? leave it alone.
The Cd-rom drive doesn't need to work yet. Don't worry about it yet. The Power supply fan probably can come on even with Video card or anything else not fully inserted but you might get beep error messages.
Then report back and let us know.

 

[Howard]

Did you plug in the monitor?

 

[genova]

The on/off button still doesn't work even though every light lights up. I thought this was gonna go smoothly...sigh

 

[genova]

the on/off button works! Turns outt I had to hold the button for 4 sec!! IM SO HAPPY! But now...the monitor still doesn't work...SAD AGAIN

 

[genova]

does themonitor have to be on to be able to hear the beeps cuz I don't hear anything and well...my monitor doesn't seem to work.

 

[Mem]

Double check the cpu this can cause this sort of problem,makesure your monitor is plug into a power socket & switched on(It`s quite easy to forget when you have everything disconnected).

 

[genova]

yyea the monitor isplugged in. In fact I'm using it right now. How do I check the cpu? I mean, I'll probably just look at it and put it back in...

 

[Nick Stone]

When he says check the CPU. He means Take it out and re-insert it. I don't think you told us if this is a "slot" type CPU. Trust me, it's easy to not push it in hard enough. Or like I said before, sometimes the bracket that holds the CPU doesn't allow it to seat properly. Same goes for the ram. What type of motherboard are you using? You are using an ATX MB with an ATX case aren't you? So tell us what kind of CPU is it?
Have you got your CPU fan pluged into the 3 pin header on the motherboard and does that fan turn?
BTW you normally just push on the power button (it's a momentary contact switch) on the front of your case for 1/2 second unless something went wrong during your last boot. Leave the reset botton connector unplugged until you get up and running.
Stay calm. Work deliberately. You're basically going to have to unplug and reassemble everything several times until you get it right.

 

[genova]

Using a Antec KS282 Case with the their 300w power supply. The mobo is an Asus A7V and the CPU is a Tbird. The Tbird slides right in and I just locked it with a level and installed the heatsink/fan. And yes everything runs fine inside the case. The fans starts and everything.

 

[edahl]

Sounds like I'm having a similar problem. Asus A7V, T-Bird 800, questionable COMPUSA 300-watt PS. Power goes on. Fans start up. Motherboard power light comes on. Five seconds later the power shuts off, but the motherboard light stays on. Is this what's happening in your system?

 

[Scifione]

If it is not the power supply, then maybe one of these guides would get you started down the right path.
http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=283
http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/00q2/000516/index.html
I wish everyone's first PC building experience could be as great as mine was. Good Luck!

 

[Zab]

Make sure the ram is seated properly as well.

 

[Nick Stone]

genova
Your Power Supply is on AMD's list of known good power supplies to use with T birds (I believe)

edahl
You already suppect your power supply isn't on the list. Maybe you can check what brand it is or have someone else help you. Or borrow another.

Tbirds use a lot of power.
Shorts under the motherboard? Are you sure you don't have an extra metal stud under there? That will cause your MB so send a signal to the power supply to stop the boot process. There's lots of ways to have a short. A bad component or cable, for example.
If you're convinced the CPU is seated properly it's probably time to borrow someone elses ram and old video card and try them.

 

[403Forbidden]

yeah I have to concurr about seating the cpu properly. I just had that problem tonight with a slot Athlon. But all's well

 

[genova]

my problem right now is that the monitor won't activate when I turn on the computer.

 

[403Forbidden]

Genova, that happened to me too. No video signal to monitor.


Are you *SURE* you seated the cpu correctly? I know it sounds dumb, but I think it could be the problem. Also try placing your ram modules in order from slot 1 to 2 to 3.

 

[H8tank]

If you turn your computer on, and it starts, all the fans whir, but no video? take the CPU out, and reseat it. It might feel likes it's in, it might look like it's in, but trust me, IT IS NOT.

You're almost there, reseat that CPU, it's gotta be perfect.