Newly built pc won't start up

[aqua43201]

Hi everyone, I recently decided to build my own computer. I purchased most of the parts excluding Mem Chip and video card (thought the video would be built into the mobo and the original mem chip was wrong size), but I had everything else. So I decided to put what I had together and start it up just to see if I would get anything. Unfortunately I didn't. The only thing that happend when the power was on was that the mobo power lcd light was lit. but when I pressed the power button everything would (lcd lights and fans) would powerup and spin for a split second the shut off but the mobo lcd would stay lit.
So I decided to wait until my memory chips and video card showed up. When they did I installed them and on the first couple of tries I got the exact same thing. But for some reason after that computer actually powered up and I was able to install windows and turn the computer on and off and reset it too. So I thought everthing was straitened out and fine and dandy. So I decided to crack open my computer again and install my wireless network reciever (so I could connect to my university's wireless network), put everything back together and plugged it in and got the same exact problem happenening and the first time. I don't know what I did or if I did anyting for that matter to mess it up again or to get it working in the first place. I've tried removing and reasembling the hardware but each time its the same result.- Mobo power lcd on but once the power button is pressed, I get a flash of power with fans and case lcd's lighting up and spining and then going out in a split second. If anyone could offer some advice I would be in your dept for life. Is i a mobo thing, power source affair, or something having to do with my case. I'd appriciate the feedback. thanks for reading!

 

[johnbullas]

Ok, take out EVERYTHING but the essentials to produce a PC with a working mouse keyboard and screen

Power it up with the case open, check to see if the fan on the processor is spinning up (it must as if it doesn't the motherboard will detect your processor is about to fry and shutdown) , note down any beeps the pc makes (ensure the wanky little speaker in the case is wired up) ensure BOTH the sequence and the number of beeps is recorded... fast/slow how many

These are called BELL CODES and are the only way of the system trying to let you know what is wrong (other than smoke and or burning smells) BEFORE it can activate more traditional sources of error notification like the monitor

Refer to the list of bell codes for your motherboard and see if they correspond to anything (you might have to google for these on another PC) ... no beeps no clicks no noise suggests BIG PROBLEM.... all PCs usual give a healthy "OK" beep on booting up

Forget the stand alone wireless doodads for now that thing would light up if plugged into the right voltage even if your PC was still in the individual boxes

Buy a good cheap book on building PCs as if you put force in the wrong place or zap the componants with the static you charged yourself with walking across the room your $$$$s can easily be so much modern art ;(

 

[aqua43201]

ok I'll try it but I don't have the time right now (gotta go to work) but when I get home I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[micker377]

What size (watts) is the power supply?

 

[aqua43201]

450

 

[funkytunaa]

Sounds like it could be one in about 100,0000,000,000 problems.

Go with the K.I.S.S. method of fixing things with hardware.

Keep It Simple Stupid


Check whether everything is plugged in properly, including the poxy little speaker.

If so and it still doesn't work, do what johnbullas advised, take everything out that isn't required and try and get it to boot.

Required
Motherboard
Video Card
Memory
CPU
Power Supply

Keyboard and mouse are handy but you will at least be able to get something on the screen with the above. Once booting with this add one component at a time till you have your machine built.

It's surprising but it you do it one bit at a time you take more care putting the bits in and usually do it properly. One component that isn't inserted properly can give some wierdo results.


Rock on!

 

[aqua43201]

ok thanks for the advice, I'm going to start now and let you know how it goes