Computer won't turn on

[UnseenK]

So basically, I have had a terrible last three days, and I'd like to thank my new computer for that. Anyways, I've been having a lot of trouble with it as it is my first build, and I've probably invested almost 15 hours. Anyways, today I finally gave up, and took it to a computer store. The guy there said he'd try to fix it if he could. So, he switched one of the pins I think and it actually did turn on, but there was no picture. I took it back home because I didn't want to pay them $250 to repair it, and I plugged it in my monitor and it still turned on but no picture. So I took the guys advice and pretty much reseated everything, and then I discovered my graphics card wasn't plugged into my PSU the WHOLE time.

So I connected those two. So now that I'm done, it won't turn on again, and I have no idea what I messed up. I feel pretty crap about it to be honest. Any suggestions? Here is a screenshot of my fail.

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/817/img2336jt.jpg

Here's some specs, if they help.
Case: Antec 300
GPU: Radeon HD 4870 1 GB
CPU: C2D E8400
RAM: 2x2 4 GB Ripjaws Series DDR2 1200 (PC2 9600)
HDD: Western Digital 750 GIG
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W ATX12V V2.2
Some LG DVD burner
Windows 7

 

[SOSTrooper]

First of all, your RAMs are seated wrong. You're supposed to install them into the same colored slots, not right next to each others. Also something looks odd with the way you plugged your case fans' power connector... is it plugged in backward? Why am I seeing the male parts of the plug? Other than that, it seems you've done the assembly correctly.

So now when you turn it on, you said "it won't turn on again". So the fans inside the computer doesn't spin up? No light and the hard drive doesn't power up? Or do you just get no screen but fans are spinning? Try clearing the CMOS using the jumper (read the manual). It'll also be nice if you have another power supply to test the system with just to make sure the modular OCZ isn't doing funny stuff.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

First, take several deep breaths.
Second, for a first build, you're trying to do too much at once.
Third, disassemble your machine and start with the MB outside the case on a non conductive surface. Install one ram stick in the proper slot for that configuration (Read the Manual). Do not install your HDD yet.
Fourth, install your GPU including the secondary power supply.
Fifth, check your case connections are properly oriented to pin one. Do not depend on the cable labels (Read the Manual).
Sixth, with just your monitor connected, try to boot. If you get to the bios, shut down and then install another ram stick. If no boot, try another ram stick in the same slot. Then try to boot again.
Seventh, see where I'm going? You install one component at a time booting between each addition. This is how you eliminate errors and faulty hardware. Good luck and keep us posted (Read the Manual)

 

[UnseenK]

@SOSTrooper
I get no response at all when I power it on. No lights, no sound, no nothing. The weird plug you pointed out is double sided, and my fans plug into it. I really don't think the side you see really plugs into anuything, at least not with my build, I hope :|. There's no other PSU I can use really, just some crappy ones that came with pre-built dells years ago.

I'm going to take Magnus's advice though and kinda go step by step. I probably did do too much at once, lol.

I'll be sure to seat the ram properly. The MOBO manual does not say the proper spot to seat the RAM, it just says DDR2 goes in those four slots. It didn't even say to put the RAM in the same colored slots like SOSTrooper is saying.

 

[kalrith]

@SOSTrooper
I'm going to take Magnus's advice though and kinda go step by step. I probably did do too much at once, lol.

Yep, that's troubleshooting 101. It could be RAM, hdd, graphics card, etc. It's even better if you have a spare computer or spare parts in which to test the components. If it won't even turn on, it could be something as simple as a bad connection from the power switch, or bad connection for the 24-pin power plug, or 4/8-pin CPU power plug.

 

[UnseenK]

Alright, so I disassembled it mostly (left the mobo, cpu, and ram in) and this is the result:
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/7582/img2338z.jpg

I plug the power cord into the wall outlet (without the monitor) and there's STILL no sign of power. I'm almost positive I have the pins figured correctly (black and white pins were negative, power and reset plugs didn't matter). I currently have the case fans plugged in, cpu fan, graphics card plugged into psu, ram installed, and of course the pins, and it's pretty bare bones. I'm almost positive this power supply is functional as it WORKED went I went to the computer store, he just configured the wiring. It also worked when I got home, there was just no picture still because the GPU wasn't plugged into the PSU the whole time, which wasn't discovered until all of it was disassembled.. All the lights inside the case came on to, I have no idea what I'm doing wrong here.

 

[SOSTrooper]

You should take everything out of the case like Magus said, including the power supply and motherboard. I see that you didn't plug in your CPU fan. It should be plugged in at all time.

 

[igloo15]

Alright well try and unplug the graphics card and see if it turns on. Since it turned on before when the graphics card wasn't plugged in.

If it turns on your probably have a power issue as the graphics card is pulling to much power and you psu can't support it. This is doubtful but possible.

Secondly make sure the power button on the psu is turned on. I have seen this happen more than once with people asking me questions where they accidentally turned the psu power switch off and then it wouldn't turn on at all.

Also did you try the previous suggestion of doing just one ram stick instead of two. Despite what the mobo says the ram has to go into same colored slots.

 

[kalrith]

Also, don't have your case fans plugged in. You want the bare minimum to just post. Connect nothing but the following:

1. Power switch from case to mobo
2. 24-pin and 4/8-pin connectors from ps to mobo
3. CPU fan
4. 1 RAM stick
5. Graphics card

Also, as already mentioned, take it out of the case. If you do this and it still doesn't post, remove the graphics card. If that doesn't work, take out the RAM. Most systems should at least turn on and give some BIOS beeps stating that there is no RAM installed. You can't get any more barebones than just the power switch, 24-pin and 4/8-pin connectors, and cpu fan. If that still doesn't work, then one of those is either connected wrong or is bad. Hopefully it will at least turn on for you.

Have you trying clearing your CMOS? If not, definitely try that.

 

[UnseenK]

Alright, well, I got the power working with every part inside the case. There are a few weird things though. A, one of my fans won't start to spin unless I give it a very light tap, then it spins infinitely. Secondly, as I thought I finally fixed my computer, I plugged it into my monitor and it still did not work. All the lights on the mobo come on, although they turn off after about a minute. It SOUNDS like a working computer. The disc drive even popped open when I pushed its button.

Here's another updated picture:
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1772/img2340ib.jpg

So what now? I'm pretty computarded.

 

[AlgaeEater]

You sure you don't have a case short?

When you installed your motherboard to the case, there were these little yellow/copper looking things that you were suppose to use to space the motherboard from the case to prevent shorts. If a spacer touches the motherboard in any location other than one of these holes, it will cause a short and thus will not power on your computer properly.

In other words it is not ok to have extra spacers installed. You should only have spacers installed to the case where the holes are at on your motherboard, and any extra spacers must be removed.

It's worth a shot, see if that fixes things.

The spacer looks like this. Sorry for the low res image:

http://www.build-your-own-computer-tips.com/images/spacer.gif

 

[jackofalltrades]

It sounds like you have the cmos jumper on the wrong pins. try changing that with the power off and unplugged hope you have had it unplugged everytime you had your hands inside it. Trust me you can kill a computer faster unplugging it hot than any other way.

I did it once while the cmos jumper was switched I got in a hurry and bam! no mainboard anymore.

I would unplug everything including the fan that won't run without a tap, it's either bad or you have a bad power supply.

Just leave the cpu fan the main power plug and the 4 pin mainboard plug and nothing else unplug the video card, take out the ram,Leave nothing hooked up, not even the video card if the mainboard powers up and doesn't shut back down, then add the video card and check it again if at this point you have a working computer add one thing at a time until it fails that will be the problem right there what ever caused it to fail.

 

[UnseenK]

The spacers were indeed already in my case. Although I didn't know that was there function, I thought their sole purpose was just to screw the motherboard in, haha. Don't worry, I have not touched my computer once with it turned on. I'm pretty positive I have my pins in the correct spots, I made double positive they were this time. My computer LOOKS like it's working, minus no picture, so I don't see how removing stuff would help me. Pretty sure I need my graphics card plugged in to get to bios anyways.

I could be wrong though.

 

[jackofalltrades]

Unplugging everything will let you know when you find what is the problem. You don't see the bios yet because your computer hasn't booted yet. You have to remove your problem otherwise you will chase your tail forever. You don't need to see the bios without the video card to see if it will stay powered on. You said it shuts down it shouldn't shut down even without a video card. If you don't take the advice the members here have given you won't be able to get any help. There isn't any magic cure all to trouble shooting, you have to take it one step at a time.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

There is no 'easy' button when building a new rig. What MB do you have? I can see it's a Gigabyte but I can't make out the model.

You should really start with the basics outside the box, unplug everything and, replug the minimal install as already suggested. "Willing" it to work doesn't work. You've got to start from scratch and slowly, methodically rebuild the system following the manual.

 

[0roo0roo]

more to the point you have to rtfm

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I found your MB, it's a ga-ep45-ud3p. The manual shows that Gigabyte follows the usual default slots 1 and 3 for two and 2 and 4 for four. So, you install one ram stick in slot one which is nearest the CPU.

 

[UnseenK]

@Jack
I didn't say it shuts down, I said the LEDS on the inside turn off after a bit since I turned it on with the side panel off. Yes I know there is no magic. The computer DOES indeed stay on though. Unless nothing poking up on the monitor makes it count as not turned on, IDK, lol, or the lights going off counts as shutting down. All the fans including gpu still turn, and it makes that popcorny sound (no idea what to call it) that sounds like something is loading.

@Magnus
You are indeed correct about the MOBO I had. Sorry I forgot to put it in my first post. I'll add it in now for future reference. I also realize there is no easy button, I've been busting my ass for four days, lol. Sorry if I gave an impression of trying to do things the easy way, or being lazy, etc etc. Thanks for the RAM advice, I seriously do not see that anywhere in my MOBO booklet.

@0roo0roo
I did read the manual, it is hard to comprehend so many things at once, and the manual is not telling me all the information I need. I appreciate this totally great advice though.

I appreciate the help you guys have given so far. I can't open up my PC till tomorrow though as I have terrible lighting at this time of day. I will keep you guys updated though.

 

[SOSTrooper]

K I figured out something, unlikely to be related to why your computer has boot problem, but I'm going to address it anyway. You are using this to power your 2 case fans. One end to the PSU, and the molex ends to the case fans. IT IS WRONG! That power adapter is used to power video cards. Use the molex cable that came with your power supply to power the case fan.

 

[Fayd]

First of all, your RAMs are seated wrong. You're supposed to install them into the same colored slots, not right next to each others. Also something looks odd with the way you plugged your case fans' power connector... is it plugged in backward? Why am I seeing the male parts of the plug? Other than that, it seems you've done the assembly correctly.

that's the way those antec tricools are. they're meant to be plugged in many at a time, so that it doesnt take out the cable, or add a huge amount of additional cable, to just plug in 1 fan.

 

[SOSTrooper]

that's the way those antec tricools are. they're meant to be plugged in many at a time, so that it doesnt take out the cable, or add a huge amount of additional cable, to just plug in 1 fan.

I have 4 Tricool in my Antec case, I know how they work. But the way he is plugging them in by using the PCI-Express power adapter is wrong. At least that's what I initially think...:hmm:

 

[Fayd]

I have 4 Tricool in my Antec case, I know how they work. But the way he is plugging them in by using the PCI-Express power adapter is wrong. At least that's what I initially think...:hmm:

i didnt see the pci-e power adapter.

in fact, i still don't see it.

:/

 

[Pederv]

K I figured out something, unlikely to be related to why your computer has boot problem, but I'm going to address it anyway. You are using this to power your 2 case fans. One end to the PSU, and the molex ends to the case fans. IT IS WRONG! That power adapter is used to power video cards. Use the molex cable that came with your power supply to power the case fan.

Maybe that's why his video isn't working. The end that the case fan is plugged into may need to go to another molex connector.

 

[Grumpy1]

This has nothing to do with your problem, but the screws that attach the motherboard to the case are missing accross the top of the board.

 

[SOSTrooper]

i didnt see the pci-e power adapter.

in fact, i still don't see it.

:/

Dont worry, I didn't see it for a day. I couldnt figure it out what's wrong w/ it but a light bulb lid up while I was driving home.

Here I think I'm putting too much effort into investigating this: PCI-Express power adapter explained. But then again I can't be sure if this is what's really causing the boot problem, but it's worth looking into and try to connect it the right way.