New Build Woes

[Kremus]

So I built a new system after waiting two weeks to get my parts(APO). I have the gigabyte ds3 mobo with e6400 zalman 9500, enermax liberty 500w psu 2 gb pqi ram. Took several hours to put the thing together and now it won't boot. I pluged it in and hit the power on button. When all the fans start up you hear no beeps or system noises. After 3-5 seconds it stops. Then in about 3-5 more seconds it makes a sparking sound(like the psu is getting power) and it tries to start again. It is plugged into an ups so I know that it is getting good power. But I don't even get to a boot screen. Please help as best you can. Need further information just ask.


Thank in advance.

 

[Chaotic42]

1) Take all of the memory out. Does it beep? If not, it's almost certainly the motherboard
2) Remove the motherboard. Plug in only 1 DIMM, 1 video card, and the power connectors. Place the motherboard on its box so that there's no metal-to-metal contact.
3) Make sure that the Clear CMOS jumper is set to "normal" or whatever your motherboard manual calls it.
4) If none of that works, physically check for damage on the motherboard.
5) If you don't see any, try swapping out parts (CPU, PSU, memory) if you can.

If all of that fails, I don't know what to tell you. I had the exact same problem. I sent the motherboard back for RMA. It comes tomorrow, so I have my fingers crossed.

Good luck.

 

[Kremus]

Please if you could let me know what happens when you get your new mobo.

I will try to remove the ram that is one thing that I didn't try.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

That "sparkling" you mentioned sounds disconcerting. Also, I've never heard of a PC powering down, then trying to power up again on its own. It sounds to me like you've got power issues.

Try this: Take the motherboard out of the case, and place it on a static-free surface. Keep the CPU, heat sink and memory installed. Plug in the speaker from the case (you may have to set the motherboard on top of the case or something so the cord reaches, but if you do make sure that there's cardboard or something in between to rule out shorts). Plug in the motherboard power connectors (there should be 2-3 different ones). Plug in the power supply (make sure you have the right power setting for North America). Make sure everything else is unplugged (especially the USB headers). Use a screwdriver to start it up. Listen for post codes. Hopefully, you'll hear one long followed by two short, in which case you know everything is hunky dory.

If you're still having problems, cross-check all the jumpers with the board manual to make sure they're all set properly. In particular, make sure the CMOS jumper is *not* set to "reset".

 

[imported_nunya]

The above suggestions are excellent, but try this first. Remove the power wire running from your case to the MB, then connect the pins using a screwdriver. It could be that the power button on your case isn't breaking the circuit so it's just turning on, turning off, turning on .... Unlikely I know but I just recently got a call from a customer who said their server was broken and they needed a new one. Built a new one, they donated the old one to me, I checked it over and voila, just that problem, so new file server for me

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Kremus
Please if you could let me know what happens when you get your new mobo.

I will try to remove the ram that is one thing that I didn't try.

It still doesn't work. I'm going to have to go buy new memory and try it out. To be honest I'm getting very disgusted with the whole thing. It's been a month now.

Edit: It was my memory. Newegg listed it as 1.8V, but it was really 1.9... D'oh. Check your memory.

 

[Kremus]

so Newegg says my mem is 1.9v and I have looked at the newegg site for my ds3 and it doesn't say what volts the mem needs to be.

Anyone out there with a ds3 that can tell me what there mem is running at?

 

[chairbornrangerx]

you said APO??? then, are you running on 60Hz, or 50Hz? Your desktop should be able to run on either, but correct me if I'm wrong, theres a switch on the PSU in back for 50Hz?

 

[Chaotic42]

Your motherboard only supports 1.8V memory (Link to the manual). I'm afraid that you're going to have to get 1.8V memory. I have the same chipset and the same requirements and my system just won't post with 1.9V memory.

Sorry.

 

[Kremus]

If you don't mind me asking what mem did you end up getting? I am looking at OCZ OCZ Gold Series 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2. Do you think it will work?

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Kremus
If you don't mind me asking what mem did you end up getting? I am looking at OCZ OCZ Gold Series 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2. Do you think it will work?

No, because that's the exact memory that I bought. It's really 1.9V. I emailed Newegg about it, so hopefully they'll fix their page soon. OCZ said that it should work, but it doesn't. If you go to OCZ's page, it shows that it's 1.9V.

I ended up ordering this memory because according to the manufacturer, it's 1.8V. I'll let you know in a couple of days when it shows up.

 

[Kremus]

thanx

 

[Chaotic42]

That Patriot memory works. The computer recognizes it and seems to operate normally. I'm installing Windows now.