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View Full Version : Just built a PC, now it won't start!


eSDee
07-08-2002, 01:21 PM
So I just finished putting together a PC from a bunch of new parts from a computer store. I have put PC's together a bunch of times so I am not a noob to it, but I was hoping for any suggestions.

When I plug it in and hit the on switch, the CPU fan starts spinning for about 1 second then stops. That's as far as it goes. I have tried reseating everything, and also just having RAM, HD, and video card plugged in. Same result. I have replaced to power supply with no change. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
LegendKiller
07-08-2002, 01:25 PM
Sounds like a short, try and reseat the ATX connector. Also, try and strip everything out except for the bare essentials (try with no HDD's/cdr's, 1 stick of ram, proc, and only video card). Also, sometimes some motherboards wont start totally unless the cpu fan header has a fan connected to it so that could be the problem.


LK
jase71
07-08-2002, 01:26 PM
Take the system board and power supply out of the case... start it up with the mb sitting on a non-conductive cardboard box. Could be it's shorting against the case. I've had that happen more than once.

Do you have a cpu fan that plugs into a fan header on the motherboard? A lot of mbs won't start up if they don't detect a fan hooked up to one of the headers. Since people often use big fans that hook up to 4 pin molex connectors, this is a common problem. It's bitten me once, and my brother as well...

Those are places to start....

Edit:/ Doh! Lk can type faster than I can....
LegendKiller
07-08-2002, 01:41 PM
HA! Beat you by 1min...phear my m4d typing skillz...hahah


LK
eSDee
07-08-2002, 04:29 PM
Jase and LK, you were both right I believe it is a short. I am not sure what is causing it though but when I pulled it out of the case it booted up like it should. Any idea what could cause it? It boots up when there is no screws mounting it to the case, until I align it with the holes. Then it won't boot.

Thanks bigtime for your help. I am very relieved that it is a simpler problem than I initially thought.
jase71
07-08-2002, 04:38 PM
Hmmm....

Doublecheck and make sure you don't have an extra standoff screwed in somewhere that doesn't line up with a hole on the motherboard.

You could also try finding standoffs that are made out of plastic, rather than metal. That would probably prevent a short.

Otherwise, I suppose you could see if you can find screws with a smaller head on them. Maybe one of them is a little too big, and the head is making contact with the board outside the metal ring around each hole.
Hiro
07-08-2002, 05:11 PM
Take some electrical tape and place it on any raised parts of the case where the board may be sitting or if it may be touching. Doesn't matter if it isn't, if its raised, put it there.

That will fix it.
ribitch
07-08-2002, 05:18 PM
the insulating washers that are used on the posts would also be worth putting in.
eSDee
07-08-2002, 11:37 PM
Originally posted by jase71
Hmmm....

Doublecheck and make sure you don't have an extra standoff screwed in somewhere that doesn't line up with a hole on the motherboard.

You could also try finding standoffs that are made out of plastic, rather than metal. That would probably prevent a short.

Otherwise, I suppose you could see if you can find screws with a smaller head on them. Maybe one of them is a little too big, and the head is making contact with the board outside the metal ring around each hole.

And there you have it. One of the stand off screws(metal) was touching the motherboard. Go figure. I got rid of it and as of 8 pm tonight Pacific, my computer was zooming like a bat outta hell.

Thanks to everyone in this thread! If you are ever in San Diego, look me up. I'll buy the first round! :cheers:
jase71
07-09-2002, 05:17 AM
Glad you got it working!
LegendKiller
07-09-2002, 07:45 AM
Originally posted by EsDeeLoco


And there you have it. One of the stand off screws(metal) was touching the motherboard. Go figure. I got rid of it and as of 8 pm tonight Pacific, my computer was zooming like a bat outta hell.

Thanks to everyone in this thread! If you are ever in San Diego, look me up. I'll buy the first round! :cheers:


Great man, I had a screw lodged between a couple PCI slots that was barely touching 2 other pins on some chip or another. I couldn't figure it out for days. I decided to take the sucker back, when I was taking it out of the box to have the guy try it out I noticed something shiny where it shouldn't have been...DOH!

I am going to SD this weekend ;)