Help! Replaced everything and still won't boot...!!

[Nighthawk69]

Hey all-

I've got a PC here I've been working on for over a month now, replacing parts trying to get it working. The first mobo I had in it with an Athlon T-Bird 1.1Ghz had given up so the concensus on here was to replace that. So, I purchased an ECS K7s5A Pro from the recommendations on here... installed it with the T-Bird and the power would come on and runs the fans and spin up the HDD but I would get no image on the screen and the system would not boot, POST or anything at all except "run." So, I figured it was the processor, so I bought an XP 1900+ and popped that in--same deal! So, I figured I must have gotten a bad mobo so I shipped it back and got a replacement. Well, I just finished installing that and now I have the same problem all over again... still won't POST or anything... just "runs."

I have tried swapping out video cards, no go. Tried disconnecting all IDE devices, no go. Tried 3 different PSU's, no go. Could it be the ram? I tried two different sticks but I'm not sure if this would even be a symptom of bad ram...?

I'm convinced it must be something extremely simple that I'm missing, such as a mobo setting that I don't know about on this board, etc.

By the way, all hardware was handled properly and grounding straps were used at all times.

Can anyone enlighten me? I'm getting stressed over this box!

Thanks a lot!

 

[kamaboko]

did you try powering it up with a different case (e.g., power supply)? had a similar thing happen to me. turned out to be the power supply.

 

[Nighthawk69]

I've used 3 different PSU's (2 300 watt and 1 250 watt)... same thing happens.

Just tried the stick of DDR that I use in this PC in it (was using PC133 SDRAM in it) and it still does the same thing.

Also noticed that the HDD light is on solid when the power is on to that box and the CDROM activity light flashes--there is no CD in the drive. I tried a different IDE cable as well and had the same results.

More ideas, plleeaasseee!

 

[Nighthawk69]

After doing a lot of reading on this board, it appears as though a LOT of people have this same issue and there is no real fix for it except for a modification to the board itself which involves soldering a few things. I really wish I wouldn't have bought this thing....

 

[lenjack]

Try it outside the case.

 

[Pistolero]

This is not board specific advice-
start with the easiest things to check/fix, then move onto harder parts.
make sure everything is getting power, all cards/memory plugged in right,
try resetting the bios w/ jump (check manual). Try your video card on friend's computer etc.

 

[DieHardware]

Originally posted by: Nighthawk69
Hey all-

I've got a PC here I've been working on for over a month now, replacing parts trying to get it working. The first mobo I had in it with an Athlon T-Bird 1.1Ghz had given up so the concensus on here was to replace that. So, I purchased an ECS K7s5A Pro from the recommendations on here... installed it with the T-Bird and the power would come on and runs the fans and spin up the HDD but I would get no image on the screen and the system would not boot, POST or anything at all except "run." So, I figured it was the processor, so I bought an XP 1900+ and popped that in--same deal! So, I figured I must have gotten a bad mobo so I shipped it back and got a replacement. Well, I just finished installing that and now I have the same problem all over again... still won't POST or anything... just "runs."

I have tried swapping out video cards, no go. Tried disconnecting all IDE devices, no go. Tried 3 different PSU's, no go. Could it be the ram? I tried two different sticks but I'm not sure if this would even be a symptom of bad ram...?

I'm convinced it must be something extremely simple that I'm missing, such as a mobo setting that I don't know about on this board, etc.

By the way, all hardware was handled properly and grounding straps were used at all times.

Can anyone enlighten me? I'm getting stressed over this box!

Thanks a lot!

That's my guess, two dead boards in a row is highly unlikely. Any beeps? Sometimes the CMOS jumper comes set in the clear position.

 

[Nighthawk69]

Jumper checked and was correct. Reset CMOS. No change.

Anymore ideas?

 

[jackschmittusa]

Try it without the extra usb connections hooked up.

 

[DieHardware]

Unplug everything...I mean everything. Clear CMOS. Re-connect the ATX connector, and the 2-pin power connection from the front of the case (none of the other connectors!). Re-install the CPU/HSF (check for proper orientation, step of the HS with the step in the ZIF socket and that it's properly seated on the core of the CPU), the video card (make sure it's seated squarely in the slot) and one stick of RAM (again check that it's installed properly). Any beeps?

 

[Delbert]

Originally posted by: DieHardware
Unplug everything...I mean everything. Clear CMOS. Re-connect the ATX connector, and the 2-pin power connection from the front of the case (none of the other connectors!). Re-install the CPU/HSF (check for proper orientation, step of the HS with the step in the ZIF socket and that it's properly seated on the core of the CPU), the video card (make sure it's seated squarely in the slot) and one stick of RAM (again check that it's installed properly). Any beeps?

Yep
More than once I?ve had it come down to this. Go for bare minims to eliminate everything you can. Remove the motherboard from the case and set it on something non- conductive like a piece of cardboard. Install the CPU, one stick of ram, and a video card connected to a monitor. Nothing else. Not even a keyboard. Reset the CMOS and connect the power connector from the PSU. Use a small screw driver or your car keys or whatever and momentarily touch the two ?power on? pins.
If the fans spin and you get no video/BIOS, you know it?s either:
Video Card
CPU
RAM
PSU
or
Motherboard

Try swapping in known good parts, or put your parts into a known good PC one at a time.
I would say it's unlikely your CPU, but I have had problems with two of that vintage AMD CPU. I wish I had a clue what killed them. They were working fine when removed, still phisically perfect, never overheated.

Edit: As diehardware mentioned, are you getting any beeps with a speaker connected? You should get beep codes for everything but a bad CPU.

 

[DieHardware]

Doh! Yes, connecting the speaker might be needed to hear a beep with some boards.