Hi all,

I built a new computer about 2 months ago. I've had this problem since I built it, but have mostly avoided the problem until now.

The computer was mostly built from scratch, only reusing the video card, DVD-ROM drive, and CD-RW drive (but the video card was later replaced, as I'll mention below). At first, I had some trouble getting it to boot -- all the fans and lights would come on (power, HD activity, and both the DVD- and CD-ROM activity lights), but I would hear no beep, and the monitor wouldn't even turn on (it is in "sleep" mode"), much less display anything. Basically, other than the many fans and the LEDs, it seems not to respond at all. It won't respond to the power button (no matter how long I hold it in) or the reset button -- the only way to turn it off is by flipping the switch on the power supply.

At first I assumed I had a bad part. So I fiddled, I disconnected things, and tried again, until eventually it worked with the DVD-drive disconnected. Great, I tried to install my OS. But then later, after having turned the computer off, it had the same problem, I don't remember whether I had fully installed at that point or not. I decided to get a better power supply, as the one I was using wasn't very far above required specs, and I have a lot of case fans. That didn't do it, so I fiddled more, and I'm pretty sure I tried resetting the BIOS more than once; eventually it began to boot but had garbled stuff on the screen -- so I figured it had been the video card (which I hadn't used for many months prior), and replaced it. No luck, it wouldn't boot again. I assumed my MB or maybe the CPU was dead, and that I would have to RMA. But, a couple days later, I tried it again before starting the RMA stuff and it worked. After having this happen again at some point after a few more days, I figured out that it only happens after a cold boot (no problems if the OS reboots the computer), so I just never turned it off. I think every time I've gotten it to turn on, it has been off for at least several hours, but sometimes it took a number of days before I could get it to boot again.

Now, a mistake with a power cord caused my computer to lose power -- and of course it won't boot. Any ideas on how to coax it into turning on?

In summary:
All fans and lights on, but won't POST. Happens when trying to cold boot 99% of the time.

Motherboard: ASUS K8U-X
CPU: AMD Sempron 3300+
Power supply is very good; both it and the video card were replaced trying to fix the problem but with no results.
Disconnecting both IDE -ROM drives doesn't help.
Taking BIOS battery out to reset BIOS doesn't help.

I'm out of ideas.

Thanks in advance.
-- Joe

Hi there
Sounds like a faulty wire from the start. I've had loads of experience with this, where the USB was incorrectly wired. Sometimes if the front LED panel is wired incorrectly it causes problems as well. Next time if you get this problem then disconnect all unnecessary wires like USB, sound, especially case fans!! Also check that the only thing between your CPU and the heatsink is the paste provided and not any extra plastic packaging. Make sure your motherboard is mounted correctly, if there is a screw in the wrong place it will short the motherboard, and that is considered physical damage, so bye-bye to motherboard.

Ultimately take the motherboard out of the computer box, clear the CMOS, have only the CPU, fan and RAM mounted, not extra wires except the monitor cable and power supply needed. The make contact with the two pins on the motherboard that the power switch attached to.

Try to see if the CPU fan comes on, and if there is any display. If there is display then put of the system and attach the hardrive and CD Rom and their power, still outside the system box. Install your Operating system. If it works then take a look at the things I mentioned earlier

Later...