Just built my first PC..

[14k]

After numerous attempts, I finally got it to switch on.

The motherboard LED lights up, the cpu fan starts spinning, these big bright LEDs on the front of the case light up, and it correctly displays the graphics card detauls on screen but..

(1) The PSU fans don't move at all
(2) I can't see the POST screen because Asus have a massive graphic there instead (however in the setup it seems to show the correct CPU and RAM)
(3) I only managed to get it to switch on after unplugging all the optical drives, hdd's, etc..

I bought
- Antec Sonata II with bundled smart power 450W PSU
- Asus A8N-E
-AMD x2 4200+
- 2GB crucial ram
- Gainward 7900GT
- 1 x DVD-ROm, 1 x DVD/RW
- 2 x WD4000YR
- Mitsumi card reader and floppy

If anyone has built a similar system, can they please tell me exactly what they did!?


On thing I did which didn't seem right was switch the original 4pin +12V connector which plugs in at the top left of the board (it was labeled "for 24 pin motherboard connections only" and was cable tied to the main 24 pin power connector) to another one (the only other 4 pin connector dangling around in there).

It felt illegal doing this, but it did enable it to turn on which it didn't do before.

Any ideas? =T

 

[pkme2]

You connected the PSU 24 pin to the motherboard correctly.
You need to connect the 4 pin 12V to the plug, at the top left above the processor.
This should get your mobo running so can see your post and follow the next steps.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: 14k
After numerous attempts, I finally got it to switch on.

The motherboard LED lights up, the cpu fan starts spinning, these big bright LEDs on the front of the case light up, and it correctly displays the graphics card detauls on screen but..

(1) The PSU fans don't move at all
(2) I can't see the POST screen because Asus have a massive graphic there instead (however in the setup it seems to show the correct CPU and RAM)
(3) I only managed to get it to switch on after unplugging all the optical drives, hdd's, etc..

I bought
- Antec Sonata II with bundled smart power 450W PSU
- Asus A8N-E
-AMD x2 4200+
- 2GB crucial ram
- Gainward 7900GT
- 1 x DVD-ROm, 1 x DVD/RW
- 2 x WD4000YR
- Mitsumi card reader and floppy

If anyone has built a similar system, can they please tell me exactly what they did!?


On thing I did which didn't seem right was switch the original 4pin +12V connector which plugs in at the top left of the board (it was labeled "for 24 pin motherboard connections only" and was cable tied to the main 24 pin power connector) to another one (the only other 4 pin connector dangling around in there).

It felt illegal doing this, but it did enable it to turn on which it didn't do before.

Any ideas? =T

Both need to be connected. The 24 pin one goes to the main 24 pin socket. The extra 4 pin one goes to the other 4 pin socket on the mobo

 

[imported_Stew]

There might be an option to view the POST screen on boot instead of the graphic in the BIOS. There was on my DFI board.

 

[14k]

Originally posted by: pkme2
You connected the PSU 24 pin to the motherboard correctly.
You need to connect the 4 pin 12V to the plug, at the top left above the processor.
This should get your mobo running so can see your post and follow the next steps.

Thanks, I had corrected that. It looks as if Antec had labeled the 4pin 12V connector incorrectly. I was lucky enough to try the other one.

 

[14k]

Originally posted by: Stew
There might be an option to view the POST screen on boot instead of the graphic in the BIOS. There was on my DFI board.

Yeh, I'm sure I've read about being able to choose between teh POST screen and the graphic, but I really can't spot where/how to change it =T

I guess the most worrying thing at the moment is the fans on the PSU aren't moving/working.

 

[JEDIYoda]

My friend I am not going to try to steer you towards a particular brand of PSU.

But let me say my experiences with bundled power supplies have not been very good!

I know money might be an issue.

So let me say you cannot go wrong with almost any Power Supply over $50 dollars.

There are some quality $50+ units out there.

Good Luck!!

 

[InlineFour]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
My friend I am not going to try to steer you towards a particular brand of PSU.

But let me say my experiences with bundled power supplies have not been very good!

I know money might be an issue.

So let me say you cannot go wrong with almost any Power Supply over $50 dollars.

There are some quality $50+ units out there.

Good Luck!!

agreed.

the sonata II is a very nice case, but i wish it didn't come with a PSU.

 

[MUKid]

Okay, first off, this is probably the least of your worries, but I think the option to turn off the full-screen thing is in the "Boot" submenu of BIOS, under "Boot Settings" or something like that - there's something called "Enable Full-Screen Logo" or something like that and you just need to disable that.

Next, I don't understand what the main problem is - is the computer powering on and Windows (or whatever) starts up, but the fans don't spin? Or is the computer just refusing to boot? Or what?

 

[pkme2]

If your PSU fans don't come on after you got the psu properly connected, then something's wrong. Use another PSU to verify that situation. If the fans still don't work, it might be your mobo. You need your PSU fan/fans to work.

 

[14k]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
My friend I am not going to try to steer you towards a particular brand of PSU.

But let me say my experiences with bundled power supplies have not been very good!

I know money might be an issue.

So let me say you cannot go wrong with almost any Power Supply over $50 dollars.

There are some quality $50+ units out there.

Good Luck!!

But surely it should at least work! I thought I couldn't go wrong if it was actually bundled with the case. Now if I'm going to have to return the PSU, I'm going to have to return the case which I spent hours mounting the motherboard and everything else to! :|

I'll try and pick up another PSU to test it with today. Thanks.

 

[14k]

Originally posted by: MUKid
Okay, first off, this is probably the least of your worries, but I think the option to turn off the full-screen thing is in the "Boot" submenu of BIOS, under "Boot Settings" or something like that - there's something called "Enable Full-Screen Logo" or something like that and you just need to disable that.

Next, I don't understand what the main problem is - is the computer powering on and Windows (or whatever) starts up, but the fans don't spin? Or is the computer just refusing to boot? Or what?

It powers up it boots as far as it goes and I can get into the BIOS, the CPU fan spins but not the PSU fans don't. I've just built it so there is no software on it yet.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: pkme2
If your PSU fans don't come on after you got the psu properly connected, then something's wrong. Use another PSU to verify that situation. If the fans still don't work, it might be your mobo. You need your PSU fan/fans to work.

Thats not exactly a true statement!

I have put together computers where the PSU fan never kicked in ubtil the thermal sensor told the fan it was too hot in the PSU case!!

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: 14k

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
My friend I am not going to try to steer you towards a particular brand of PSU.

But let me say my experiences with bundled power supplies have not been very good!

I know money might be an issue.

So let me say you cannot go wrong with almost any Power Supply over $50 dollars.

There are some quality $50+ units out there.

Good Luck!!

But surely it should at least work! I thought I couldn't go wrong if it was actually bundled with the case. Now if I'm going to have to return the PSU, I'm going to have to return the case which I spent hours mounting the motherboard and everything else to! :|

I'll try and pick up another PSU to test it with today. Thanks.

Yes i totally understand!!! My first case was an Aspire case with a OKIA 350 in it.
The PSU was a dog truthfully!!

I would venture to say the PSU that came with your case albeit a "supposed" name brand could very well be the culprit.

Most companies do NOT put there best PSU`s ina byndled case!!

Good Luck!!

Also it might not be your PSU but at least you are going to eliminate one possibility!!

 

[felony]

There might be an option to view the POST screen on boot instead of the graphic in the BIOS. There was on my DFI board.

there is.. on my asus at least.

i was actually confused as heck last night when i had to clear my CMOS and my POST was gone, lol.

dan

 

[14k]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

Originally posted by: pkme2
If your PSU fans don't come on after you got the psu properly connected, then something's wrong. Use another PSU to verify that situation. If the fans still don't work, it might be your mobo. You need your PSU fan/fans to work.

Thats not exactly a true statement!

I have put together computers where the PSU fan never kicked in ubtil the thermal sensor told the fan it was too hot in the PSU case!!

I was thinking this might be the case, since it's called the Antec "SmartPower" PSU! How long is it safe to leave it on for to determine whether this is the case?

 

[14k]

Ok I have made a minor breakthrough. The Antec Smartpower CPU has two fans, The one on the inside is now working whereas the one on the outside (exhaust?) isn't. I guess this is good as it pretty much means for sure that that fan is broken, the rest of the system is fine and I don't need to test the system with another PSU. Rather than go through the stress of returning the case together with the PSU I'm just going to go out and get another PSU - since the bundled one as everyone says is crap anyway.

Maybe a 500W one this time for good measure? Any suggestions? Just quiet reliable and stable - that's all I want.

Thanks again.

 

[Arcanedeath]

For your system I'd suggest a Seasonic S12 430 or 500 watt unit

 

[Lasthitlarry]

Seasonics are top of the line and very good, as well as Enermax, but I prefer Fortron, they rarely have problems, supply sufficient amps, and are cheap.

 

[Arkane13131]

The PSU fans are not supposed to come on all the time. It is a Smartpower from Antec. I have the same one. The fans only come on when it is necessary. They are designed to be silent running.

Unless your having problems with maximum wattage... (i have the 500w antec smartpower) then that PSU is fine, infact it is a great PSU. all the other people here are just freaked out because they dont know anything about that particular model.

I have the same PSU...THE FANS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE SPINNING ALL THE TIME.

They are temperature controlled. THAT IS A GREAT PSU.
YOU DONT NEED TO BUY A NEW ONE UNLESS YOU RUN SLI.

I wish these other people would do some research before recommending things.

once again YOUR PSU FANS ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO BE RUNNING ALL THE TIME BECAUSE IT IS AN ANTEC SMARTPOWER MODEL.

does that clear things up for you?

 

[Arkane13131]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103936

here you see that PSU is 61$ on newegg.

 

[NaOH]

The exhause fan on my tagan seems to be always off. It turns on when it has a large load, but I don't have that many components so my PSU fans seem like theyre broke.

 

[MUKid]

It powers up it boots as far as it goes and I can get into the BIOS, the CPU fan spins but not the PSU fans don't. I've just built it so there is no software on it yet.

Well it sounds like it's working fine then. Put some software on it and see what happens - I betcha it'll boot to the OS ---- if there's an OS on it. ;-)

 

[14k]

Originally posted by: Arkane13131
The PSU fans are not supposed to come on all the time. It is a Smartpower from Antec. I have the same one. The fans only come on when it is necessary. They are designed to be silent running.

Unless your having problems with maximum wattage... (i have the 500w antec smartpower) then that PSU is fine, infact it is a great PSU. all the other people here are just freaked out because they dont know anything about that particular model.

I have the same PSU...THE FANS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE SPINNING ALL THE TIME.

They are temperature controlled. THAT IS A GREAT PSU.
YOU DONT NEED TO BUY A NEW ONE UNLESS YOU RUN SLI.

I wish these other people would do some research before recommending things.

once again YOUR PSU FANS ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO BE RUNNING ALL THE TIME BECAUSE IT IS AN ANTEC SMARTPOWER MODEL.

does that clear things up for you?

Wow, it would be helpful if it stated that in the manual. Maybe I'll leave the new PSU for now. Is it just the exhaust fan that is supposed to come on as and when needed or the inner PSU fan too - because the inner one seems to be constant. I have noticed though that the exhaust fan metal grid does get quite hot and the fan still doesn't come on. Is there a way to control how hot it gets before this PSU exhaust fan kicks in?

Thanks.

 

[w00t]

guys the psu he has right now isnt bad it's an antec SmartPower 450W.