PSU/Mobo Problem

[Kev32]

So I just got around to delivering my old parts to my flat mates empty case in the hopes of setting up for him a basic Half Life 2 playing rig to find that it doesn't turn on! Everything is plugged in correctly, however the only suspicious thing that has caught my eye so far is that when plugged in (cable into the PSU) no fans on the PSU or the motherboard/chassis actually whirl like I have been accustomed to when plugging PC's into an active mains socket. Am I correct in thinking if there is "juice" then when the pc is first plugged into the mains the fans should spring to life for at least an instance? If this is true it will narrow done the conflict to the PSU and hopefully I can get it sorted by the end of the week! Or could it be a fault with the motherboard which I'm a bit weary on as it was working the morning before I took it out of my old PC and into his.

Cheers for any advice you guys can give!

[Skyboat]

Did you connect the power switch header from the case to motherboard the right way round? If it has the wrong polarity the power switch would (obviously) not turn it on. Just a thought.

[TAKTAK]

Did you connect the power switch header from the case to motherboard the right way round? If it has the wrong polarity the power switch would (obviously) not turn it on. Just a thought.

aye that although i didnt think it would have a polarity as its just a switch......... i.e. SPDT sort of thing like the switch on the psu is SPST.
the switch on the PSU.
the switch on the wall socket.
fuse in the PSU cable (i.e. use a different cable.)
quadruply check the wiring is correct, is the 4 pin plug or 8 pin plug in place as well as the 20/24pin plug?

edit: oh and before someone points it out i know the power switch isn't SPDT but i can't think of the name off the top of me head

[Kev32]

That could be another problem, I have attached the power switch correctly, I think, but none of the other switch headers (reset switch etc.) are attached. That wouldn't cause a problem or anything would it?

Both the 20 and 4 pin power connecters are in places. I may have another look around the switches, seems that is the most likely solution!

[Taz]

Are there any LEDs on the motherboard that show a diagnostic pattern?

[Kev32]

Nope, it's the old budget Asrock 939 Dual board. No way of seeing if it's being powered.

[Thorsson]

Sounds like something is dead, but you did switch on the PSU on/off switch, didn't you?

It's one of those ULi things, isn't it?

BTW you can start the PC by just shorting the Power on jumpers with a screwdriver, so I somehow doubt that there's any polarity.

[TAKTAK]

make sure theres no short between the mobo and the case (i.e. remove the motherboard and work on it externally. i.e. put it on an antistatic bag)
make sure the main atx power 20/24 pin is properly inserted, and the 4/8pin power is also iserted correctly.

try removing all of the cables, and reinserting them.

also, try a different PSU switch, it could be that the switch is knazzed(shorting it with a screwdriver should do it ) and make sure its noting silly like a time delay switch where you have to hold it for a few seconds (i had that on a recent build. *tish* i rebuilt everything before i figured it out)

good luck with it and let us know how it goes

[Kev32]

Cheers for the advice guys, I'll work on the suggestions you've given me today and report back later