Hardware Problem - No Power/Boot

[Loki3]

I just finshed setting up a new box. When I press the power button on the case nothing happens. I've tested the PSU independently and it works without any problems. I downloaded the manual from the motherboard manufactor's webpage and it looks like all the case connectors are in the right spot. Does anyone have any idea of what's wrong?

Please... help.

[DSwain]

lets see... well the idea's i would have recommended you've tried already... the only real idea i have for you is to keep trying to tweak around with the power button wire. That always gives me the most trouble. I would just try it in every slot to see if it'll go or not. Also, make sure you have the PSU switch in the correct direction (so power actually flows)

[jrbishop79]

what do you mean you tested the PSU independently?? did you try it in another computer,or did you stick a voltmeter in the holes to try and read voltage?

you might look inside the PSU and check the fuses.

[blobaugh]

Do things one at a time.

Remove all your cards and drives except the cpu fan. Try the switch
if it works then one of your accessories must be bad. Insert them one by one till you find the culprit

[Loki3]

Originally posted by jrbishop79
what do you mean you tested the PSU independently?? did you try it in another computer,or did you stick a voltmeter in the holes to try and read voltage?

you might look inside the PSU and check the fuses.

I jumped the green wire to a ground. PSU starts fine.

[mdwatts]

Originally posted by Loki3
When I press the power button on the case nothing happens.

Did you connect the HD Led, Reset, Speaker and Power cables from the case to the motherboard?

[Loki3]

Yah, I even read/followed the manual at the motherboard's manufactor's website. Oh well, I couldn't get it work.

I gave up.

[mdwatts]

Originally posted by Loki3

I gave up.

Reminds me of my own motto.

"If at first you don't succeed... give up" ;)

Are you quite sure ALL power related cables are connected? Main power to the motherboard, power-on switch etc.?

No evidence of any kind of power getting to the drives, cards and LED lights? Tried another PS with the motherboard?

[Strogian]

try starting it with a jumper. Wherever you plug that little "power switch" connection on the motherboard, just jumper those pins.

[jrbishop79]

Originally posted by Strogian
try starting it with a jumper. Wherever you plug that little "power switch" connection on the motherboard, just jumper those pins.

be careful doing that.. I fried a motherboard that way.... got a permanent notch in the blade of my screwdriver, too...

[banzaikai]

Ahem.

"Testing" the PSU by jumping the wires usually means the connector isn't connected. In other words, no load. When the PSU is then returned to the mobo, it doesn't power up.

So, where did you get this supply - and did you remember to feed the little hamster running on the wheel?

Specifically, post your mobo model and PSU specs - you may not have enough power on one of the rails (usually the +5Vstandby) to allow the mobo to trigger the PSU.

I, just for grins, tried an older 250W supply with an Athlon XP 2000 mobo (no drives or cards). I got just what you're getting - nothing. So, use a 350W or better, and follow blobaugh's advice and start with an "empty" mobo and add things one at a time to find your power draw.

banzai "riding the rails" kai

(Shouldn't this be in Hardware?)

[Strogian]

Originally posted by jrbishop79
be careful doing that.. I fried a motherboard that way.... got a permanent notch in the blade of my screwdriver, too...

hmm, i thought that's how the power switch worked, it just closes for a split secod

[bwkaz]

Originally posted by banzaikai
"Testing" the PSU by jumping the wires usually means the connector isn't connected. In other words, no load. When the PSU is then returned to the mobo, it doesn't power up. I think Strogian meant the two pins in the motherboard's front-panel header, not the two pins in the power supply connector.

Though I'm not sure...

(Shouldn't this be in Hardware?) Yep. :)

[Loki3]

You know guys, it's really okay. I did give up but thanks anyways.

I'll work on my side projects later.

[psi42]

Originally posted by Loki3
I just finshed setting up a new box. When I press the power button on the case nothing happens. I've tested the PSU independently and it works without any problems. I downloaded the manual from the motherboard manufactor's webpage and it looks like all the case connectors are in the right spot. Does anyone have any idea of what's wrong?

Please... help.

Try re-seating EVERYTHING. Cables, expansion cards, screws, RAM, everything.

I once couldn't power up a box for 3 months because a RAM stick wasn't seated properly, even though it appeared to be perfectly in the slot.

Also check the floppy drive power connector, be sure it is plugged in correctly. It is possible to plug it in incorrectly very easily, and if you do that the box will refuse to power up. Yes I am speaking from experience here. :)

~psi42

[Daedrus]

Originally posted by Strogian
hmm, i thought that's how the power switch worked, it just closes for a split secod

That is how it works, but just be careful not to touch anything else.

[Loki3]

Woohoo!

I finally figured it out. I tried different power supplies, moving the memory around in different slots, a different CPU even, and about eight billion combinations for the case to motherboard connectors but I finally solved it.

The CMOS jumper! At one point I cleared the CMOS in attempt to fix the problem but I forgot to re-install the jumper in the normal position! Ahhh!

Those little details get you every time, eh?

Thanks for all the help.