A64 System Wont Turn On

Thordon

Ill start by saying this is the first time I have completely assembled a PC, so the chances are its some obnvious problem (I hope).

Heres what I got:

PSU: http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=122490&cks=PRL
Mobo: http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=300671&cks=PRL
CPU: http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=300492&cks=PRL
RAM: http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=113518&cks=PRL

The stuff for my new system arrived today, so I went through the instructions and assembled it as far as:

CPU/Heatsink/Paste firmly connected to socket
Cpu fan plugged into mobo
RAM in
Mobo in case
PSU in case
PSU plugged into mobo in 2 places (CPU and the little square 4 wire thing beside it)

I went further, but the computer wouldnt turn on, the only indication it was working was a very low hum from the PSU (has to put my ear right beside it to hear). So I went back to the stage above and made sure everything was right etc, but its still not working.

On the PSU, theres 3 LED's on the back and a button, I tried pressing the button, both on and off, but theres no effect and no indication of a change.

Is there something vital I'm forgetting?

[CrimsonGhost]

Connect your powerswitch to the motherboard? There should be little cables from your case with a jumper like connector on the end, it needs to be stuck onto the correct place on your motherboard. Should be listed in your motherboard manual.

You may have done this already, just your post didn't mention it.

If this isn't it, are you getting any beeps whatsoever from the machine when you try and power on.

leeroybrown

You may have forgotten to connect one of the case->motherboard connectors (the little multicoloured wires) or wrongly connected some of them. Check that all these wires are properly connected as per your motherboard manual.

Thordon

Sorry yeah, I have those wires in, I tried them both ways (facing one way and the other), but no response. I get nothing no beeps, no visible indication that its on.

BKtje

Im assuming you screwed the (cant thingk of name) sort of small tubes into the motherboard, on top of which you placed your washers and on top of which you lined the holes of the motherboard over. After that you screwed more screws into the little tubes (not forgetting the washers) to secure the motherboard firmly onto the back plate of your case (motherboard itself should touch your case at ANY point or it will short circuit and basically not turn on just as you've described).

If so, make doublle sure thats you done all the above (or better yet follwoed the manual ).

Sorry if this all seems very basic but you'd be surprised the amount of people that get this vital first step wrong!

Hal1

Hi there, had similiar trouble with my new system not too long ago. Anyway do what [CrimsonGhost] said rtfm!! make sure those jumpers are in the correct position according to the manual. Then if all else fails clear the cmos chip again rtfm!!

Thordon

Yeah I have the screws in the 'little round things', I think theyre called spacers, but I didnt see any washers. Il make sure its not touching the case and see if I can dig up some washers.

Col_Loki

Make sure you have all the spacers in the right place. The case usually come with too many holes (so it works for all motherboards). If you have put too many of the spacers in , one of them might be touching the motherboard and shorting. Also make sure you only use the screw holes that line up with the spacers.

Leave the side off your case and try booting, see if the CPU fan starts up...... if it does and then stops your either shorting off the case or it may be the PSU . Also it could be the heatsink ....... let us know if any power flows at all.

What PSU do you have?

[edit] If the CPU fan doesent work at all, chances are you have the Power Switch connector in the wrong place (the manuals can be confusing somethimes, i made a mistake only last week and wondered what the hell was going on :rolleyes: ).

Al

[CrimsonGhost]

Thordon. Where are you located. It might be possible that someone here is just around the corner and might be willing to give 10-15 minutes time, I'm sure most would do it for a cup of tea/coffee. Although if you can solve it yoruself with help here it'll be much more satisfying.

Thordon

Im in hartstown, dublin15, 2 oakview grove, across the main road from the shopping centre.

Some progress, I was messing around with wahsers and stuff to no avail, so I took the whole thing out of the case and put it on the foam it came in, I hooked up the power and on switch cable, I turned it on and I swear I could hear the cpu on, I didnt even know cpu's made a noise, it sound like something is spinning, the fan wasnt spinning though, so I immediately turned it off, amd64 supports cool n quiet or something dosent it, I dont know, Im sure the fan is plugged into the right place too.

My PSU is a hiper 420w (linked it above), one thing that confuses me is that it seems to be 12v, do I need a transformer?

Edit: Its not actually turning on , the CPU makes noise when I turn the PSU on, I suppose thats something.

Stephen

The 12v is one of the voltages output by the PSU.

the CPU should never make a sound!!
Are you sure it wasn't the CPU fan or some other component with moving parts that you heard?

Thordon

After listening closely, it almost sounds like its coming from the ram, didnt think that made a noise either

OfflerCrocGod

I'm about 5 mins away from you:) - but I don't think I'll pop by cause it might seem a bit odd:ninja:, reading the thread I also doubt if it's a problem that can be fixed - you may afto RMA something :dunno:. Actually I may pop up with a PSU and some RAM to see if it's that - do you mind?

Thordon

No, please, any help would be great

OfflerCrocGod

I'm just back from Thordon's house and it appears as if the problem is with the MB; of course I can't be 100% certain because all I replaced was the PSU and RAM and the only other components left were the CPU and MB. The MB socket made a funny electrical noise when power was turned on - even with no CPU in it - so it seems as if it's fubared. Of course that's only a theory we could confirm this if someone could get a S754 Athlon 64 for one or two minutes too test Thordon's rig, so we could make sure that it's not the CPU AND MB - a nightmare scenario:(. Is there anyone around Blanch with such a CPU??? Otherwise it seems as if the MB is the culpit.

tuxy

just send bother mb and cpu back to komplett for testing

OfflerCrocGod

Originally posted by tuxy
just send bother mb and cpu back to komplett for testing

Ye but the P&P is on him, I suppose Thordon could send the CPU inside the MB box:dunno:, that may be the safest bet for Thordon.

tuxy

Originally posted by OfflerCrocGod
Ye but the P&P is on him, I suppose Thordon could send the CPU inside the MB box:dunno:, that may be the safest bet for Thordon.

just make sure its in its seperate box inside the mb box
komplett dont like if you send it back seated in the motherboard
it wont cost much there is an address in dublin you can send it to

last time i did a rma komplett refunded me the p&p

OfflerCrocGod

Originally posted by tuxy
last time i did a rma komplett refunded me the p&p

Didn't for me
*shakes fist "Damn you Komplett", ah it was only a couple of eurons:p

Redrocket

to be honest, if i had an a64 and i lived next door to thordon, if he told me that the socket on the mb made a crackling electrical noise, no way in hell would my a64 go into his board. it could have fried his cpu, and then mine if i stuck it in??? send it off to komplett, let them test your cpu in a known test machine, then let them test your board.

Thordon

I suppose theres no harm in sending the CPU back too, I had to destroy the box to get it tho (its one of those horrible to open plastic things), ill just put it in a padded envelope or something.

Redrocket

make sure you put it in proper packaging, so as they cant blame it as being damaged in the post due to improper packaging

Cina

If the PSU was buzzing it is likely it was touching the mobo at some poitn when it was turned on. Happened to me, some of the brackets weren't in correctly, mobo got ****ed and I had to a new one.

CapBean

Read the posts regarding the problems with the selfbuild PC.
It was quite interesting but is there an end to the saga?
Is the comp now working or have the parts been sent back to Komplett?
I'd be interested to know.

How do u all find the Komplett returns service? Is it good or bad?
I'm thinking of doing a selfbuild but after reading the problems above I'm having second thoughts.

I'v found Komplett ok on prices but does anyone know another good place to buy components in ROI?

BloodBath

Usually problems like that are rare providing the person building has done some research before they actually build it.

I'm not saying Thordon didn't. He may have just been one of the unlucky ones to get a faulty device.

Don't let the rare cases like this put you off building a rig yourself.


BloodBath

CapBean

Thanks for the reply,
I give it some thought.

OfflerCrocGod

Originally posted by BloodBath
I'm not saying Thordon didn't. He may have just been one of the unlucky ones to get a faulty device.

From what I saw when I was there it looked as if the MB arrived DOA, it wasn't anything Thordon did/was doing; he was just unlucky:(. As for Komplett's return service it's quite good so don't worry about that CapBean: go ahead and build your rig it's not that hard really, things going wrong are a rare occurance. Just post your components here in a new thread before you order them and ask for comments, yes Komplett are one of the best in the EIRE marketplace they can't be beaten.

tuxy

ya dont let this story put you off builiding your own pc
just like all oter electrical stuff there is a small chance a part will be faultly
im sure it will work out fine for Thordon he just has to send back the cpu and motherboard and he should have replacment parts shipped to him soon

iv build about 8 pc's only had one problem i once got a dead motherboard
i just sent it back and 2 weeks later a working one arrived

if you ordered a prebuilt pc there is the same chance it might be faulty

CapBean

quote:

---

Originally posted by tuxy

iv build about 8 pc's only had one problem i once got a dead motherboard
i just sent it back and 2 weeks later a working one arrived

---

OfflerCrocGod and tuxy thanks for the replies.

Its reassuring to know that Thordon's problem may just have been a faulty mb.
At least the mb can be replaced.

Tuxy, 1 bad out of 8 isnt bad I suppose.

OK, I think I just might decide to go ahead with a selfbuild.
When I'v got the list of components together I'll post a new thread for comments & suggestions.

Thanks again.

BKtje

My first ever build had a dodgy cpu (i thought t was mobo which they replaced but had same problem when a new was returned). I ended uo setting it alight. A mistake i have never made again