Computer turns on but no beeps

[littletemple]

My computer turns on (fans, hard drive, etc) but no display, beeps or anything. So I've narrowed it down to either the mobo or cpu. I have another computer (S939) that I will test out to see which component is failing. My question is if I try out another cpu on the "bad" mobo, do I need to install HSF even if it will be on for only a few minutes? Can I just put in the cpu and try to see if it turns on and at least get a display with installing the heatsink and fan? I don't want to overheat the cpu.

 

[Denithor]

First off, DO NOT BOOT WITHOUT HSF MOUNTED, even for a second or two -- you WILL burn up your CPU.

First thing to try is pull all but one stick of memory and try booting again. if that doesn't work switch to a different socket.

What happens?

 

[littletemple]

PSU, memory, video card, hard drive all tested out fine. So i have to mount the HSF? Would it be alright if I at least don't apply any AS5 to test it out?

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

Why would you risk it? AS5 is cheap compared to replacing your proc.

That said, I have done this and suffered no obvious damage. One of those "Do as I say, not as I do" sort of things.

 

[littletemple]

It just that I don't have much as5 left. I thought you could apply HSF without any thermal paste and it wouldn't just cool it as much. I wouldn't have it one for anymore than 1 minutes anyways.

 

[MrControversial]

Most common reason for no beeps is forgetting to plug in the 4-pin motherboard connector for the CPU power. It's the 4-pin connector with the blue, black and yellow wires.

 

[littletemple]

The 4-pin connector is plugged in. The computer was working fine and then the problem started.

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

Originally posted by: littletemple
It just that I don't have much as5 left. I thought you could apply HSF without any thermal paste and it wouldn't just cool it as much. I wouldn't have it one for anymore than 1 minutes anyways.

That is true, but "not cooling it as much" is relative. I'm just saying, if you don't have good contact (which is what the TIM is for), you could exceed safe temps. No, you aren't guaranteed to damage your proc by not using thermal paste, but there's just not much point to risking it. You've spent more time posting about it than it would take to apply the material. And it's not like you would have to clean off and reapply the material every time you remount the HSF during testing... Spring for another $5 tube of AS5 in case you run out, problem solved.

 

[MrControversial]

No post probably means a CPU or motherboard issue. Memory gets initialized after the POST process and you would get a couple of beeps if you had bad memory.

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

Originally posted by: MrControversial
No post probably means a CPU or motherboard issue. Memory gets initialized after the POST process and you would get a couple of beeps if you had bad memory.

Not if the memory isn't getting enough voltage to begin with. I had 2.0V RAM that would once POST at 1.8 with auto-relaxed timings, but was no longer able to do so a year later. I got no POST beeps at all after I reset my CMOS and spent weeks RMA'ing other likely components since I had no spares to troubleshoot. A couple cheap sticks of 1.8V RAM solved my issue.

Aside from what you're already doing to troubleshoot (swap out as many components as possible, one at a time), I would also verify that your RAM operates properly with the board's default Vdimm. And do an out-of-case build to make sure you're not having a grounding issue.

 

[waitman]

You should first list all specs including your psu. How did you test the psu? I have had good psu's not work on certain boards. And by no means, do not test the cpu without a hsf. Go to a repair shop and they will prolly give you some thermal paste.

 

[littletemple]

I tried resetting CMOS thinking it was a memory voltage issue but that didn't work either. And with the PSU, the computer has been running fine for the last 1.5 years, and then it crapped out. Initial thinking for the PSU but I tested it out on another S939 build with similar parts and it booted and started up fine.

AMD 3000+ S939 (NO O/C)
Asus A8N-E Mobo
2x512MB Kingston HyperX PC3200, stock
Antec TP2 550W PSU
Samsung DVD+-RW
Maxtor 100GB HD
Nvidia 6800 Video Card
Floppy...