Hi,
I've just built a new computer but there is a problem. When I plug the computer into the mains and power it on, the green light on my mobo lights up but that's it - there is nothing else to indicate the power is going through from the PSU. The cpu fan does not power up, the DVD drive does not open, the HDD does not sound like it's spinning and the chassis fans don't power up either. What's wrong?
All power connected including the 4/8 pin plug for the CPU?
Reset the CMOS?
Power switch on the motherboard connected properly? Not the one on the power supply.
This seems most likely^Originally Posted by Bugbait
Make sure you have the pin head from the case's button matched up correctly with the motherboards pin's.
Kalniel: "Nice review Tarinder - would it be possible to get a picture of the case when the components are installed (with the side off obviously)?"
CAT-THE-FIFTH: "The Antec 300 is a case which has an understated and clean appearance which many people like. Not everyone is into e-peen looking computers which look like a cross between the imagination of a hyperactive 10 year old and a Frog."
TKPeters: "Off to AVForum better Deal - £20+Vat for Free Shipping @ Scan"
for all intents it seems to be the same card minus some gays name on it and a shielded cover ? with OEM added to it - GoNz0.
I made sure the power switch is connected to the mobo properly so I doubt that is the problem unless the switch is faulty.
One thing I forgot to mention is that the PSU fan does not seem to power up either. This would suggest the problem is with the PSU, no?
If the green light on the motherboard is lit, then its getting power from the PSU so it must be working.
Does the motherboard have an 'On' switch on it anywhere so you can use that instead of the case switch ?
Again, its always worth checking your cables etc (including the polarity of the case power switch) once more.
Pictures and spec rundown would help too!
Kalniel: "Nice review Tarinder - would it be possible to get a picture of the case when the components are installed (with the side off obviously)?"
CAT-THE-FIFTH: "The Antec 300 is a case which has an understated and clean appearance which many people like. Not everyone is into e-peen looking computers which look like a cross between the imagination of a hyperactive 10 year old and a Frog."
TKPeters: "Off to AVForum better Deal - £20+Vat for Free Shipping @ Scan"
for all intents it seems to be the same card minus some gays name on it and a shielded cover ? with OEM added to it - GoNz0.
Agree!
The power and reset switches merely act as "shorts" so there is no polarity. If you suspect the power switch on the case might be faulty then connect the reset switch to the motherboard power toggle. The reset switch should behave exactly like the power switch now.
Have you tried resetting the CMOS? The motherboard might be in a “safe” state for whatever reason. Resetting the CMOS should restore it to normal operation if so.
I tried the power switch with reversed polarities but it still doesnt power on. I will check for an "On" switch to use instead but I doubt there is one. Could it just be a problem with the power switch?
BTW, if the PSU is not faulty, how can the fact that the fans arent spinning be explained? I was looking online right now and saw that even if the mobo light is on, that only means the PSU is providing enough power to power an LED light.
See my suggestion above about testing with the reset switch. There is no polarity on the power and reset switches and are fully interchangeable.
In the ATX specification the PSU uses a soft switch (as opposed to mechanical) from the motherboard to indicate an on and off state. If the motherboard is not sending the signal (or incorrectly) then it will not power on. You can force the PSU into an on state by shorting 2 pins in the ATX connector block but I need to check which ones.
EDIT: Standard disclaimer - Do so at your own risk.
http://www.duxcw.com/faq/ps/ps4.htm
http://wiki.xtronics.com/index.php/ATX_Pinout
Okay, I have now tried the system with a combination of different (but same model) PSUs, CPUs, Mobos, RAM, and power switches (I ordered two of everything since I'm building two computers) and it still doesn't work. I'm going to upload a pic of the basic test I did as soon as I get my phone to send the picture to my laptop.
Could it be a compatibility problem? Or am I forgetting something stupid?
Did you use the motherboard standoffs??
Here is the picture of the test I carried. Sorry for the terrible quality of the picture - its a phone camera and I was in a hurry. Basically, there's a PSU connected to the mobo via a 20+4 pin connector and a 4-pin connector. The CPU fan is plugged in where it should be and so is the power switch. I turn on the mains power and PSU (at which point the green LED lights up) but pressing the power button does not seem to turn anything on.
Yes, I've used the standoffs when testing the mounted motherboard. In the test I described above, I laid the mobo on top of the anti-static package it came in.
EDIT: here's a better quality image
Last edited by intense.ego; 20-08-2010 at 08:11 PM.
Green light could just indicated the motherboard is receiving power, ie in standby, but not on. I would use a paperclip to short the pins as recommended a few posts up and see if you can get the PSU going on it's own first of all.
edit: it is a PSU model which the fans spin at all temperatures right?
I just found out I've made a stupid mistake and forgot to put the little red discs in between the standoffs and the motherboard. Maybe the mobo is grounded. However, how does that explain it not working outside the chassis and on the anti-static wrapper (as in the picture)?
No, I don't believe it is.
I've just come from re-installing the mobo using the standoffs properly but it still doesnt boot. It's so frustrating!!
Have you tried the screwdriver/pin method as suggested ?
Kalniel: "Nice review Tarinder - would it be possible to get a picture of the case when the components are installed (with the side off obviously)?"
CAT-THE-FIFTH: "The Antec 300 is a case which has an understated and clean appearance which many people like. Not everyone is into e-peen looking computers which look like a cross between the imagination of a hyperactive 10 year old and a Frog."
TKPeters: "Off to AVForum better Deal - £20+Vat for Free Shipping @ Scan"
for all intents it seems to be the same card minus some gays name on it and a shielded cover ? with OEM added to it - GoNz0.
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