My new rig failed at first boot

[Richard_Rahl]

I have build my new rig yesterday, but I have a little lousy problem. At the first boot, everything seemed to work except for the screen.
I know about the "30 seconds rule", so I waited some time. Though the only thing I could do after that, was holding the power button for about 4 seconds to switch the system off. The manual of my motherboard (Asus P5K SE/EPU) advised to check the cables, so I did. One of the ATX connectors (the 4-pin) seemed a bit loose, so I plugged it in "better".
After that, I did a new attempt. Maybe I shouldn't have done that, because the same happened. However, switching it off didn't work anymore in this case. The only thing I could do was using the switch of the psu, so letś hope I didn't damage the components that way.

Anyway, I decided to become a bit smarter and wish to ask for some help with this.

[interman]

No beeps? I don't know about your motherboard, but some come with ways of diagnosing problems, like LEDs not being the right color, beeps, and so on. With problems like the one you're having it's usually the RAM, the CPU, the PSU, or the motherboard itself. Try booting with a single stick and see what happens, and try a different cpu and psu if you have some available.

[Magus]

First thing you gotta do is get out that cmos battery and put it back in, make sure the 4power is connected to the 20 so that they go in the same time.

And make sure your videocard has the appropriate power cables in.

Another problem could be that the cpu fan isn't connected properly.

Oh and make sure if you have multiple sticks of ram that they are in the right slots, my mobo goes weird too if they arent in the right slots

[Richard_Rahl]

Thanks guys.
BTW, I saw in the manual that when you got two sticks of RAM they should be in dimm 1 and 3. I will do that and reset the cmos.

[GMtm]

Also make sure you have enough power going to the motherboard and any additional power to the CPU if it is required.

Generally it is a good idea to pull out all components that are non-critical to boot and get a basic system working before anything else. Worst thing you can do (and I am sure a lot of the guys on here will back em up on this) is to completely build the PC, tidy up all the cables, have it all screwed in and looking awesome, only for it not to boot so you have to rip the lot out again!

Dont forget to wear static (ESD) protection!

[interman]

Oh, and another thing. I've had a similar problem once that was solved by taking all the hardware out of the case, assembling it on my desk, and it would boot. Turned out a mount screw holder thingie had loosened, which I guess did something to the voltage levels, so it wouldn't boot.

[Richard_Rahl]

Guys, things got worse.

1. I didn't see the "power" led on the front panel work
2. It continuously booted and rebooted
3. cpu fan didn't work (it did before)
4. nasty smell
5. Crucial's Memory Selector said that the Ballistix RAM I ordered should work, but it doesn't according to the mobo's manual. That is, 128MB chips aren't supported according to the manual.

Shall I rma the RAM and try one of the "models" of wich the manual says they are supported?

[GMtm]

If you dont see the Power LED on the chassis first thing to do is make sure that you have the LED/Front Panel still connected to the motherboard. If it is and still no LED, then check the power supply to the motherboard, you may not have all the necessary power inputs connected. Also check CPU connection and underneath the CPU for damaged pins, dust particles or hair.

Smells are hard to pin down. New tech has a smell of its own when first used. You grow to love it like you do the smell of new car or the feel of a new pair of kswiss or nike!

If it is an acrid, burning, rubber or strong chemical smell it could be a damaged component. Strong fish like smells are blown capacitors and you will have a collection of those around the CPU socket and in the PSU.

If the CPU fan is not running then dont turn on the PC for too long as the CPU will burn itself out.

Take the whole lot down to just the motherboard, cpu & fan, ram and PSU. turn it on. It should tell you there is no vga card present.

[Richard_Rahl]

If you dont see the Power LED on the chassis first thing to do is make sure that you have the LED/Front Panel still connected to the motherboard. If it is and still no LED, then check the power supply to the motherboard, you may not have all the necessary power inputs connected. Also check CPU connection and underneath the CPU for damaged pins, dust particles or hair.

Smells are hard to pin down. New tech has a smell of its own when first used. You grow to love it like you do the smell of new car or the feel of a new pair of kswiss or nike!

If it is an acrid, burning, rubber or strong chemical smell it could be a damaged component. Strong fish like smells are blown capacitors and you will have a collection of those around the CPU socket and in the PSU.

If the CPU fan is not running then dont turn on the PC for too long as the CPU will burn itself out.

Take the whole lot down to just the motherboard, cpu & fan, ram and PSU. turn it on. It should tell you there is no vga card present.

Thanks, but the manual clearly says that the RAM has to consist of memory chips smaller then 128 mb. So wouldn't it be better to rma the RAM first?
The malfunction of the front panel leds could be caused by the fact that they were not attached too well to the so-called "Q-conector" (a certain Asus-feature as it seems). So I reattached them.

[Richard_Rahl]

Supported Kingston memory (i.e. memory mentioned in the manual) are specified as 128M X 64. While 128 Mb chips are not supported. So am I misinterpreting?