[hj3]

I'm building/putting together a computer. I referenced, referenced and cross referenced to be sure I bought correct, compatible components (motherboard, memory, fan, video card, etc.). When I put the computer together, everything powered up well. There were 3problems though:

1) When I powered the computer up I didn't hear any beeps - usually when you power up a computer, you should at least hear a beep right? Now, I didn't purchase a soundcard simply because I didn't need enhanced sound, however, I think that doesn't matter. I connected the speaker cable to the right pins. Is there something I'm doing wrong?

2) I'm not getting any images on the monitor. I connecetd the pins to the motherboard according to the motherboard manual - is there something I'm doing wrong?

3) When I press the power button, the led light is supposed to stay on. However, it doesn't. It'll come on for a second when I press the power button but it won't stay on. The computer still powers though. I connected the pins in the right place according to the motherboard manual as well. What could be going wrong or what am I doing wrong?

At this point I was considering unscrewing every component and starting from scratch being very meticulous with putting it together. Any pointers would be helpful. Thanks!

[Scleros]

Standard No Boot Response:
1. You used anti-static precautions during build, right?
2. You used thermal compound between processor and heatsink, right?
3. You used motherboard standoffs and didn't screw motherboard directly to chassis, right?
4. Unplug everything but processor, discrete or onboard video adapter, single stick of memory/minimum sticks required, and PS/2 connected keyboard.
5. Confirm any motherboard jumper settings for processor and bus speed (most boards auto-configure these days).
6. Reseat memory and look for trash in the slots.
7. Look for screws or other metal objects between motherboard and chassis.
8. Independently verify each component by placing in another system.

If the answer is "no" to #1-3, there is a non-trivial chance you damaged something.

When I powered the computer up I didn't hear any beeps

Usually, not always, and the machine has to finish its Power On Self Test (POST) before beeping so you will have video long before then (unless video adapter/monitor bad). No sound card required for beep - uses internal case speaker or small round black speaker soldered on motherboard.

I'm not getting any images on the monitor. I connecetd the pins...

Pins? The monitor cable connects to either an analog built-in D-shaped video connector (blue) soldered to the motherboard, or the same connector on a video adapter card plugged into slot connectors on the motherboard. If you are attempting to use a digital connector, get the system working properly with an analog connection first. If board has built-in video use that connection to get everything working and then add a discrete adapter if desired. Onboard may need to be disabled in BIOS before adding discrete adapter.

When I press the power button,. It'll come on for a second

If it "burps" and all the fans run for a second, it's either a power supply problem, or the motherboard shutting everything down because it detected a problem.

At this point I was considering unscrewing every component and starting from scratch being very meticulous with putting it together.

Always get motherboard, processor, minimum ram, and minimum video working first and then add components.

[hj3]

Thanks for the info. You hit on some pretty big issues that I was hoping wouldn't come up. For some reassurance, I made sure to touch the metal chassis before touching any of the components and when I wasn't touching the chassis with my hand, I made sure my forearm was touching it. I did use standoffs and put thermal grease between the processor and heatshield. I have 2 512 mb memory sticks that I put in, mainly because the booklet said not to put just one stick into the slot because it may cause starting problems for the motherboard (or something like that) so I put them both in. The only jumper I have to be sure of and have tried is the "clear cmos jumper". I tried resetting that and nothing else worked. Maybe I didn't wait long enough. I will check and reseat the memory and search for items between the chassis and motherboard. Thus far, I have tested to hard drive in another computer and it displayed perfectly. Other components I will try will be the memory. The computer I was checking the other components on is an intel based motherboard and the one I was building was an amd based.

The computer, when I powered it up, ran perfectly. The only way it went off was if I hit the switch. The problem I had with the powerswitch was just that the led light wouldn't stay lit - but the computer kept running.

At this point, I removed the video card and modem and disconnected all connections. I will check to see if there's anything inside the case and then only reconnect the 2 512 mb memory cards (the board could take up to 16 gb max. memory card), the connections to power the processor fan and psu. I will connect the monitor to the video port built into the motherboard (the blue one as you indicated) and will see what happens from there. Thanks!

[Scleros]

Some comments:
1. The hard drive isn't required for bootup. Once the board boots up to a logo screen or POST message and you get a message complaining about no boot source, then add hard drive.

2. Be sure and remove power cord from power supply and allow power supply to drain and any LEDs on power supply or motherboard to go out before removing any adapters from board.

If I understand your last post, everything ran on first boot except power LED on switch didn't stay lit. Then you shut it down, pulled the video card, and disconnected everything. Now it won't boot. If you pulled the video card and modem with the board still powered (not "on" and running, but "off" and with the power cord plugged in and power supply still connected) you may have damaged it.

[hardhatinc]

Also, most motherboards come with a 4 pin atx connector. If this is not plugged up, it will not power up properly.