My Computer Won't Start up

[cwoz94]

I decided to build a computer:
AMD 64 939 3500+
geforce2 mx400
1Gb RAM
A8V MOtherboard

I connected everything and the little green bulb by the corner lights up. When i press the power botton, everything turns on. But on the monitor it says,"Check the signal cable." Then is says," Off mode in 5 seconds," then it turns off. I followed all the instructuions in the manuals. Please Help!!

 

[Fern]

Welcome to the forums!

Congradulations on your first build (at least I assume it is)

Unplug pc and reseat vid card

Re-check monitor cable connection at both ends

Clear cmos (if the above fail). Might wanna check in bios to make sure "AGP" is selected as primary graphics adapter. The mobo should pick up on that, but can't hurt to select proper one in the bios.

I assume the vid card and monitor are both known-good working components. If not, try to find some others to swap in. BTW, I don't consider *new* to be known-good working. I have received too many new parts that just don't work.


Good Luck with it.

 

[Sanguinarius]

that is the EXACT same problem that i am having with my current ASUS A8V and 3500+. Except now I nothing is happening. At this exact moment i am taking out my mobo (i think it might be accidently touching the case.... would this kill the mobo?) and am gonna try it with just the vid card, mobo, cpu and power connected. I hope this works..........

 

[geekender]

what are the specs of the ram? that chip has the memory controller onboard and requires specific modules.

 

[Grimbones]

Hmm if the power button isn't working, make sure to hook up the PWR sw connection to your mobo, that's about all the help i can give since i'm a newb at this stuff too ...

 

[mechBgon]

Sanguinarius and cwoz94, did you mount your motherboards on standoffs? Yes = good. Also make sure your ATX12V cable is plugged in.

If those are not the problem, then cwoz94, please also post your brand/model of power supply too, as well as the brand/model of your memory modules.

 

[Grimbones]

Good call mech, that's what happened to my dads computer, that's a definite plug in, everything runs but the hardware.

 

[cwoz94]

Yes, I installed standoffs. And the ATX12v cablie is plugged in. The power supply I use is a trueblue480 true480 antec power supply. The RAM I use is 1gb VS1512Mb400 value select by Corsair. Could it be the ram that is not supported by the motherboard?

 

[mechBgon]

The RAM is the right type and speed, so that's a good start. You might want to try this: take the motherboard out of the case, and benchtest it on cardboard. Review Asus's pages about the memory installation again to ensure that you got the modules in the slots for dual-channel operation, and use just the video card, CPU/heatsink/fan, the memory and the keyboard (also note that the keyboard port is the purple one, and it does matter). Make sure the AGP card is fully seated in both layers of AGP-slot contacts.

With just these bare essentials, you don't have to worry about funky stuff like weird case-USB-port wiring or so on. Here's pictures

 

[daveybrat]

Could it be that that GeforceMX400 isn't a true 1.5V AGP card? It might be too old for that new motherboard, i'd try another newer vid card first.

 

[ss284]

Originally posted by: daveybrat
Could it be that that GeforceMX400 isn't a true 1.5V AGP card? It might be too old for that new motherboard, i'd try another newer vid card first.

I'm pretty sure its not. Always have a pci video card on hand to test. I still have my riva 128zx

-Steve

 

[cwoz94]

Hey mechBgon, thanks for the help. I decided to try it out of the case. IT WORKED! Thanks man for the suggestion. I think a spare screw might have been touching the MB. Thanks man. The videocard works daveybrat even if it is old