my computer troubles continue (updated)

[hdeck]

if you don't remember this thread, let me refresh you:

my computer has been giving me trouble for a while. i was getting cmos checksum errors (which forced me to reset the CMOS before every boot up) and my computer would often freeze during the loading process (on the blue windows screen "windows is starting up", just after the black splash loading page). research lead me to believe i needed a new motherboard (since i replaced the CMOS battery and still got the same checksum errors).

fast forward to 2 weeks ago. i get aBIOSTAR GEFORCE 6100-M9 motherboard, since it seemed like a good replacement, and would help my transition to PCI-E (with it's onboard video) when I eventually upgrade my graphics card.

my other parts are as follows:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice
A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR 400
onboard video, audio, lan
liteon dvd drive
2x seagate hdds
(no pci cards)

as i mentioned in the other thread, the computer won't post. the machine turns on, fans/hdds spin, i can open/close my dvd drive, etc., but nothing else happens.

things i tried before/because of the previous thread:

-moved RAM to different slots & used RAM from my dad's PC (that i also previously built)
-unplug all optical drives
-used PSU with 24-pin connector (and 200W more power) rather than 20
-reset the CMOS/tried booting with jumpers in different positions
-unmounted the mobo to prevent any grounding issues

basically, i made this thread rather than bumping the old one to see if anyone has any new suggestions. at this point i'm open to everything. could the CPU be the culprit? newegg has a cheap $40 one that i wouldn't mind buying as a last resort.

**interesting update:

while switching ram between slots, the computer turned on as i put pressure on the ram to get it to "snap in" to the slot. could the screw holders be causing some kind of short circuit or something?

*booted the new mobo outside the case with the same result

 

[hdeck]

late afternoon bump

 

[hdeck]

another bump. any help is appreciated.

 

[Lasthitlarry]

I would triple check the connections from the case to the motherboard. 90% of all problems are wiring.

I know that doesn't help much, but that's all I got at the moment.

 

[manimal]

Check your psu and memtest your ram in another machine, switch out any ide ribbon cables and try to use only 1 harddrive for now.

 

[Sleepsalot]

Check if the vidio has out put. If every thing else seems to work it could be the problem. Can you hear any type of beeps at all on start up?
Wayne

 

[hdeck]

interesting update:

while switching ram between slots, the computer turned on as i put pressure on the ram to get it to "snap in" to the slot. could the screw holders be causing some kind of short circuit or something?

 

[Roguestar]

Certainly sounds like you haven't got the plastic risers in either the right place or enough of them. Try putting your PC together outside the case on a wooden bench and see if it happens.

 

[hdeck]

i made sure all my risers were in the right place (though they aren't plastic, they look metal) and got the same result. took the mobo out of my case to try and boot it and still nothing.

 

[hdeck]

bump