Help with building my own computer - won't turn on

Hello,

I began building my first computer yesterday, I ran into a few hiccups along the way but by the end I thought I had everything in order but now it still won't turn on. Can I please get some help? And Hopefully not bad news...



-SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870
-AMD A6-3650 Llano 2.6GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU
-COOLER MASTER GX Series RS650-ACAAE3-US 650W ATX12v v2.3
-ASUS F1A55-M/CSM FM1 AMD A55 (Hudson D2)
-Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA
-CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866
-COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1
-SAMSUNG Internal DVD Writer 22X

The green LED SW_PWR light is on, and when press start the system (PSU and CPU fan) begin to run for 1/2 a second (or just long enough for the CPU fan to make a quarter rotation) before the PSU makes a click sound (not a pop) and the system dies. The only way to reproduce this is to unplug the power cable from the wall until the SW_PWR light goes off and insert it again.

I have removed 1 stick of RAM and the Gfx card.

Could it possibly be the PSU/Motherboard that are not compatible? The Motherboard connectors are for an ATX Power Supply 24-pin EATXPWR, 4-Pin ATX12V and the PSU is compatible with an 20+4Pin Connector (additionally, the PSU Type is: Intel ATX 12V V2.31) and I have an AMD motherboard.

I will be leaving for work in less than 1 hr but will be on later tonight (after midnight) to read/post comments. Thank you

 

Welcome to Major Geeks.

The first thing to check are the power supply connectors to the board - with the PC unplugged, be sure they have "clicked" in place - if one is even a tiny bit loose, it can cause problems.

While doing this, also reset the BIOS by (again, with the PC unplugged) removing the coin cell battery from the motherboard, waiting about two minutes then reinserting it.

If the PC still won't boot, my next guess is incompatible memory. In my experience, higher speed "gaming" memory doesn't play nice with all makes/models of motherboards. Your best bet is to check the Qualified Vendor List (QVL) at ASUS' website for your board. This is a list of memory that has been tested in that model motherboard. If you can't find an exact match, I'd go with basic Crucial brand non-gaming memory, 1333 speed (my experience is basic 1333 Crucial will work in just about anything).

If none of these tips solve the problem, post again and we'll look at some other possible issues.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for post, but unfortunately, that did not help

I reconnected all power connectors to the board, and attempted to reset the BIOS. My motherboard has MemOK! (thank you asus) which should provide an easy work around for any memory compatibility issues that may arise. The MemOK light doesn't even come on however. The entire PC still shuts off almost instantly when attempting to boot.

 

I would contact ASUS tech support for specifics on the MemOK feature and if it will work with the specific memory you have.

Frankly, I take a claim of "works with any memory" with a grain of salt. I built a system using an ASUS board with this feature about a year ago and still had to switch out the brand of memory to basic Crucial 1333 to get the system to work.

The only other option is to send the board back to where you bought it from (if it's still in the return period) or RMA it to ASUS. Personally, I'd try switching out the memory before going through all that hassle.

 

I had this same problem before, and for me, all I had to do was switch the voltage switch on the back of the power supply to the second setting. My kid must have been messing with it, and switched it without telling me. It was causing my pc to turn on for about 1-2 seconds then back off immediatley. Anyway, I know that sounds too simple to be the answer, but you never know. Not the on/off power switch, but the little (usually red or orange) voltage switch that's next to the power switch. Good luck.

 

Just ran downstairs to check if my PSU has a voltage switch, but it does not. From what I've read, PSU's are pretty universal (compatable with amd/intel) correct? I am wondering this because my PSU is Intel complient and certified for Nvidia SLI but say's nothing about AMD motherboards or Crossfire (I assumed that power for one would be enough for the other).

Gman, thank you for you continued help. I will call asus tomorrow and see what they have to say. Unfortunately, I had to work all day again and wasn't able to make a call.

 

Oh, forgot to mention the memory I have is on my motherboards QVL.

 

Solved! Kinda..

I removed all the hardware and was able to post my computer with the mobo/cpu/ram outside the case. Thus, I assumed I had a short (one of the mounting screws was indeed loose)
But, after putting everything back in the problem reoccurred. After going through each piece of hardware again I realized that my Motherboard doesn't like my case fan. I can give it power via the PSU but it short's my computer if I plug it into CHA_FAN1. The case fan has a two headed cable one end for power from the PSU and another for the Mobo.

Isn't this supposed to allow the Motherboard to properly connect with the fan to adjust it's speed in accordance with the other hardware? How can I get this to work?

 

The two cables are different power sources and you should connect one or the other, not both. If you connect the one that has the larger "molex" connector that goes directly to the power supply, then the fan will run at full speed all the time. If you connect the smaller connector to the motherboard then the motherboard will control the speed of the fan if you tell it to in the BIOS.

Connecting both just sends +12V into the motherboard and back up one of the ground cables tripping the PSU out.

 

Sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I've been stupid busy as we are short staffed at work.

Thanks for the info about the dual cables collinsl.. I really had no idea! Unfortunitely, the cable for my case fan doesn't reach back to my motherboard. I think my only option is to plug it into the PSU. Here are some pictures if you are interested.. just a heads up though, I haven't done any cable management yet!

http://i.imgur.com/sYsSPl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rLueAl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PCO2ml.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/NqrF7l.jpg

 

Sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I've been stupid busy as we are short staffed at work.

Thanks for the info about the dual cables collinsl.. I really had no idea! Unfortunitely, the cable for my case fan doesn't reach back to my motherboard. I think my only option is to plug it into the PSU. Here are some pictures if you are interested.. just a heads up though, I haven't done any cable management yet!

http://imgur.com/sYsSP
http://imgur.com/rLueA
http://imgur.com/PCO2m
http://imgur.com/NqrF7

 

Just ordered one from newegg.com, was able to get 12" for 1/2 the price

Thanks for your help gentlemen. Once I install the cable, and get the fan connected all will have to do is restart my computer, go into the BIOS, and make sure the case fan is being operated by the MoBo, that about right?