symptoms of dead cpu/mobo/ram?

[aor]

i just tried to build my first computer, and am having problems... i have the cpu, mobo, ram and vid card hooked up and ready to go.. i've triple checked all the connections, nothing seems to be out of the ordinary. the vid card works (tested on old computer), but nothing happens when i boot up. there are LEDs on the mobo that light up (both frint panel, and on the board itself), the heatsinc fan works fine, as does the vid card's fan. would this lead to the conclusion that the mobo is not dead? also, the cpu doesn't *sound* like it's working.. but i've never used this one before, so i could be wrong. it's possible that it could also be the ram, i have no way to check that. when i boot up, the LEDs in front work just fine, things seem to go ok... however the monitor doesn't wake up. when there is no input from a computer, the monitor's likght blinks orange. when it's in use, the light is green. it continutes to blink orange, however it IS getting input (when it's not, there's a graphic that says "no input" or something to that effect)... thoughts? help? just trying to figure out what to do next.

Mombo: Gigabyte P4 Titan Series GA-81RXP
CPU: Intel P4 1.6A
RAM: Crucial DDR 256 x 2
Vid Card: Gainwood GF3 128

THANK YOU!

 

[edfair]

With bad ram you should at least get a sound from the speaker. But if the CPU isn't clocking you get nothing.
Try it with all connectors off the board except power, keyboard and video monitor , all cards removed except video if it is expansion based, then short the power on jumpers with a screwdriver blade (assuming ATX form factor)and see if the symptoms change. Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[mudskipper]

I hope that this doesn't come across as insulting, but also check to ensure that you did not put any extra metal standoffs between the Motherboard and the case's backplate (metal standoffs should only be in where there is a corrosponding hole through motherboard for a screw). I've seen many people do this, resulting in a direct short and no video. In most cases, removing the offensive standoff will allow system to work (no lasting damage).

I have not used the GA-81RXP yet, but almost all P4 boards require the extra power tap.... might want to double check it.

Good luck.

 

[TKinton]

The P4 boards generally have a 2 part powersupply, one ATX for the main board and either one that looks like the HDD plug or an AT for the 12v rail.

Check out the responses to my early post in this forum. I have been having problems with a P4 1.6 too. One reply suggested that the chip was 'not too good'

What do you mean by the CPU doesn't sound like it's working? The only real sound you get is from the fan (I think =D). You will occasionally hear the HDD churning away too.

Just had a thought. Try putting in a PCI GFx card (or AGP if you are using a PCI already). The BIOS may be looking for the wrong type of card.

 

[aor]

heh, thanks all...

let's see - i thought the clicking noise was the cpu - but no? I could be very wrong. it sounds like it's making some sort of clicking noise - not really loud, but loud enough to hear.

i will check for contact.. if that is the problem, i would be very relieved!

thanks again all!

 

[Daveyboy2]

Actually, if you had a stick of bad RAM - sometimes it won't even post. Try booting a PC without any RAM - it won't even blink at ya. that sound you may be hearing could be the floppy seek.

Try a different stick of memory if you can - but go to the basics. what does a system need to run to POST? Video Card, CPU, memory, power to the board. Disconnect all the cables, (sometimes if you jumper an IDE wrong it will not POST - 2 masters, 2 slaves on the same channel) and see what happens.

 

[aor]

heh, well, well, well..

got the new mobo.. didn't work.. darn i say to myself. then, for some unknown reason, as i'm packing it back up, i decide to try it again, OUTSIDE the case.. hmm.. i think - perhaps it is shorting w/ the case.. so i try it and what do ya know - it works! so i throw it back in the case, and put a liner between it and the case and it works just fine! sighh.. so the old mobo prob worked also.. in anycase.. this one is cool too.. MSI 845 Ultra.. nifty.. thanks for all your help!

 

[mistanapesis]

mudskipper told you so. Good luck with your new board. If your unsure....Dont do it!

 

[mudskipper]

Just glad to hear it is working! Enjoy it.