PC won't post after chipset fan change...

Hi all, got a very annoying problem.

Basically, decided a few days ago that it was finally time to change the chipset fan on my Asus A8N Deluxe ed. after having the replacement sitting around for months. So I took the motherboard tray out, took, the motherboard off, snapped the retention clips off the old one and took it off, and put the new one on (standard procedure). Put everything back together, and turned computer on. It started, all fans etc. ran, just as if it was a normal boot up, but it didn't POST and there was no display on the monitor (it just stayed in power saving mode). So, I checked for shorts, found one where a spacer had slipped off the screw, so fixed that, and tried a few other things, had the motherboard tray out 3 times, but I couldn't find anything else - and it's still the same! It was 3 days ago or so that I actually changed the fan, but I've spent all of this morning trying to fix it (doing the above).

Can anyone give me any pointers... am I missing something stupid? Is this a common problem (see my hardware in sig)? I'm pretty sure all the parts should be fine, as the only major things that were really affected by this was the motherboard and the Graphics Card (took it out to get into the screws a few times).

This is very frustrating as it's my main gaming PC that's down, only changed the chipset fan to get a higher overclock!

Much appreciated,
Ross.

I really do not know much about this sort of thing, but do you see any black (burnt) parts around where the short was? Of course you have done the basics like reset the cmos and what not. It sounds as if you have lost the mobo tbh... sorry

Try running it with one memory stick in the slot first.

Reset CMOS,

Check on power connections, double check all connections. Get a system blower and run it across the motherboard to get rid of any specs of metal.

Plug in a fan into the chipset fan slot, it might not work without something in there.

Double check all connections.

CHECK THE OBVIOUS FIRST!

Aye, I've tried taking the battery out and reset the CMOS. I have a fan in the chipset slot; the new one. I've tried running the motherboard out of the case with all bits, but still the same result. I'l try changing the RAM, but tbh I'd highly doubt it's anything to do with the RAM, as I haven't touched it during the whole process. I can't test individual components as yet, as I broke the speaker connector wires earlier, so need to solder them back on.

So it kinda does sound like the motherboard has crapped out - I take it this doesn't fall under any warranty? Or am I gona have to fork out for a new one presuming it is this?

Also, I've checked all connections, as said above it's been out and in a few times, so it's not the connections. And there's no sign of blackness around the short, it was nothing major. Oh well.

Make sure the Graphics card is seated firmly in place as this can cause this problem. It may look in place but take it out and push it in firmy again.

Try reseating the SLI selection card. And best to stick your case speaker on and see if it beeps.
Also you can try plug a headphone to the onboard sound (volume warning!). It should tell you what problem you got. (Yes, a crappy sound telling you system error, took me like 10 times to hear it clearly :( )

Edited to sort out some grammar mistakes

KoolPC = That's definately in properly, as I've tried it plenty times. Arther, cheers, I'l try that one! Hopefully the voice POST is working properly.

Hmmm, some advancement perhaps...

Today I tested each component, and it reported the voice error at each stage and gave me the appropriate beeps. After everything was in I've discovered that with no DVI cable (for the monitor) plugged in, it'l POST fine. But as soon as I plug it in it won't POST. Also, if I plug the SPDIF into my TV, I get a heap of random dots all over the TV, but it still POSTs.

I'm not really sure what else to try, does it sound like the motherboard is broken, the graphics card is shorting, or something else? I've really run out of ideas.

Look at the graphics card and check whether its shorting.

Try and plug in your monitor cable straight into your motherboard.

Try different slots on your graphic card.

Try your graphic card in the 2nd slot.

Good luck mate.

How about trying a different DVI Cable?

I'm about to try another monitor / DVI cable. Will my graphics card work if I plug it into the second PCI-E Slot?

Also what do you mean about plugging the cable straight into the motherboard?

Thanks for the replies so far,
Ross.

Update. I'm assuming something must be borked. I managed to get the system to POST with a VGA -> DVI cable in, when it was plugged into another monitor. All that displays is a few random dots and lines at the top left of the screen. I'm presuming this means either the Motherboard or the Graphics Card is dead?

Might take it into the computer shop today, but would prefer to hold out for a reply here and save myself 30 quid.