Building a new PC

[Nevin]

I should really know better, as everything I do with technology seems to go pear-shaped.

However, I have just built a new PC and everything appears to be wired up properly. But when I switch it on, the fan on the graphics card spins briefly and then nothing happens. Any suggestions?

[ErnestM]

Could be:

1. Graphics card wrong type for your MB (check documentation for MB)

2. Not enough power from the supply to boot up

ErnestM

[FrenchTVR]

Could be a memory fault. I had this when I built my current machine, the supplier gave me the wrong spec memory and it just fired up and then stopped before even getting to the boot screen. Again, check your main board manual against the memory type you have.

[pdV6]

any beeps?

[beano500]

Nevin said:

..something which I can relate to..

I know how you feel It gets a bit depressing when it all should work - but doesn't.

I ended up investing in plenty of new memory for my build (Oct-04 - Jan-05 saga!!!!) amongst other things! But I had a DOA mobo on the way too. The memory problem manifested itself in the PC starting to boot and then dying after about five seconds. It was (allegedly) compatable and had worked OK in the previous incarnation, too!

The most useful tip I got from the encouraging PHers was unplug everything and start one bit at a time.

Oh and this little beastie runs lovely now, quiet and powerful enough not to grind to a halt on Photoshop! You'll get there soon!

[Nevin]

Cheers guys, will try again tonight. Its a total pain, but I need to persevere, as my laptop isn't working properly either. Gaaah.

>> Edited by Nevin on Monday 28th February 18:05

[Zod]

could be so many different things:

dead motherboard

motherboard shorting against the case

incorrectly plugged case switch/led cables (these are always the fiddliest bit)

problems with USB ports on the case plugged into the motherboard (I have a motherboard which behaves exactly as you describe if I plug thecase USB ports into it)

[pitstop]

Yes, could be any number of things. However, I had exactly the same problem and it turned out to be a faulty power supply. If possible, try and borrow someone elses to test and see if this is the problem.

>> Edited by pitstop on Tuesday 1st March 23:34

[ErnestM]

If the power supply is too weak it will do that as well. It starts to send power through the system and when it hits the first big "power drain" (usually the graphics card or CPU) it shuts down...

ErnestM

PS: What power supply are you running? (Should be on the sticker affixed to the supply itsself)

Edited to Add:
It would also be helpful (as would all posts like this) for people to list Motherboard Make/Model, CPU make and family as well as graphics card make/model and ram type (SDRAM - yeah right, DDR, DDR2, PC3200, etc, etc)


>> Edited by ErnestM on Wednesday 2nd March 04:45

[Frik]

Another vote for a dodgy power supply here.

When I built my pc, the PSU that came with the case was up the spout. I tried borrowing one off another computer but that didn't have enough juice either.

Stealing a PSU off someone that definitely did work solved the problem.

[rsvmilly]

Can you list the exact components of the system.

Is it a new power supply? Is it a cheapo one which was included in the case? Often these fail to achieve the voltage stability or power output they've been rated as. A good quality 350W power supply is much better than a poor quality 450W one.

Does your graphics card need an additional direct connection to the power supply? Radeon 9800 Pro does.
Best to remove all hardware except that which is essential to startup, ie additional hard drives or CD writers.

[Nevin]

Okay guys, thanks for the advice. Looks like it could be a PSU issue. Its a 300w bog standard one that came with my old PC. So think I will look at changing that first.

In addition, I've got an ASUS K8N-E Deluxe mobo, Hercules Digifire 7.1 soundcard, 768mb RAM, Athlon 6m 3400+ CPU and a 128Mb GeForce 4 Ti4600 gfx card.

[annodomini2]

I know these may sound obvious, but:

1. check everythings seated properly (especially the cpu!)

2. If you have multiple dimms, try running it with only one.

3. If you have a spare graphics card (or one in another pc, to test with, swap it out.)

A decent 300w psu should be able to run the spec you listed. try disconnecting any hard drives, cd/dvd roms etc. and see if you get the boot screen, if you do, reconnect them one at a time and boot each time, if it won't boot after connecting one of them try it on its own, and boot again, if its ok, then its the psu, if not then it probably that device.

[Zod]

Nevin said:

Okay guys, thanks for the advice. Looks like it could be a PSU issue. Its a 300w bog standard one that came with my old PC. So think I will look at changing that first. In addition, I've got an ASUS K8N-E Deluxe mobo, Hercules Digifire 7.1 soundcard, 768mb RAM, Athlon 6m 3400+ CPU and a 128Mb GeForce 4 Ti4600 gfx card.

If you want to bring it down to my office, I could troubleshoot it for you.

[Nevin]

Zod said:

Nevin said: Okay guys, thanks for the advice. Looks like it could be a PSU issue. Its a 300w bog standard one that came with my old PC. So think I will look at changing that first. In addition, I've got an ASUS K8N-E Deluxe mobo, Hercules Digifire 7.1 soundcard, 768mb RAM, Athlon 6m 3400+ CPU and a 128Mb GeForce 4 Ti4600 gfx card. If you want to bring it down to my office, I could troubleshoot it for you.

What, and give away my secret identity?

[rsvmilly]

Nevin said:

What, and give away my secret identity?

Are you a mild mannered janitor by day?

[Nevin]

rsvmilly said:

Nevin said: What, and give away my secret identity? Are you a mild mannered janitor by day?

I'm a mild mannered lawyer in a firm where Zod is a partner

[rsvmilly]

Nevin said:

rsvmilly said: Nevin said: What, and give away my secret identity? Are you a mild mannered janitor by day? I'm a mild mannered lawyer in a firm where Zod is a partner

And you don't think the red TVR might give Zod a clue?

[Nevin]

rsvmilly said:

Nevin said: rsvmilly said: Nevin said: What, and give away my secret identity? Are you a mild mannered janitor by day? I'm a mild mannered lawyer in a firm where Zod is a partner And you don't think the red TVR might give Zod a clue?

Nah, there are hundreds of assistants like me and I don't imagine more than about 2, if that, ever drive to work. Besides, It doesn't really matter if he knows who I am anyway.


>> Edited by Nevin on Tuesday 8th March 13:26

[Zod]

I think I should be getting the logs from IS this afternoon.

As if I care!