So I'm helping a friend build a computer. We thought we had it all together, but when we turn on the power and plut it in the computer doesn't start up. The fan on the power supply itself doesn't even start up when we turn it on!
How do I figure out what's going on?
Quote from: Faeelin on March 23, 2010, 11:35:54 PM
So I'm helping a friend build a computer. We thought we had it all together, but when we turn on the power and plut it in the computer doesn't start up. The fan on the power supply itself doesn't even start up when we turn it on!
How do I figure out what's going on?
Bear with me, I haven't built on in a while and I'm falling asleep atm. If the PSU isn't firing up, well...make sure it's plugged in and turned on first ( ;) ). Really, I'd start by checking the little wire from the motherboard to the power button on the case. Those little things are easy to screw up. Make sure that's in there correctly. If it is, move back and make sure the PSU -> motherboard connection is nice and tight. Then of course, eyeball the back of the PSU and make sure it's on...uh....115 or whatever volts, and make sure the switch on the back of the PSU is in the on position.
I'm way too tired I accidentally submitted this like halfway through the post. :hmm:
Edit: When I say "little wire from mobo to case," I mean these, or something like them:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.build-my-home-computer.com%2Fimage-files%2Fcase-button-connector.jpg&hash=459208deb55b9543bbe15b528b0a16242b10fe19)
I don't see a 110/220 volt switch in the power supply unit.
It's weird. The motherboard is getting some power. Phase 1 LED is lighting up. Phase 2 is yellow. And that's it.
Change outlet, bypass the extension cord thing, use a different power cord.
I never manage to get the front panel connectors plugged in correctly the first time. Did you guys double-check with the motherboard manual that you're connecting them to the correct pins? If it doesn't work, try reversing the polarity of the power switch-- I can never remember which is + and which is -.
ASUS boards always come with these little doohickeys that you plug the front wires in to, and then plug into the mobo with as a guide. In fact they look just like the thing in the pic a few posts back. Since I started getting those, I never once messed up a front panel wiring job. Also, does the board have a power switch directly on it? About half of the boards I've worked with do, so you can quickly figure out if it's a wiring problem or perhaps something worse.
Quote from: Caliga on March 25, 2010, 01:21:40 PM
ASUS boards always come with these little doohickeys that you plug the front wires in to, and then plug into the mobo with as a guide. In fact they look just like the thing in the pic a few posts back. Since I started getting those, I never once messed up a front panel wiring job. Also, does the board have a power switch directly on it? About half of the boards I've worked with do, so you can quickly figure out if it's a wiring problem or perhaps something worse.
:huh: None of the three Asus boards I've used had anything like that. Must be something for their higher end mobos.
Hmmm, I've definitely gotten them with an ASUS Commando, and an ASUS P5D and a P5D Deluxe.
Quote from: Caliga on March 25, 2010, 07:47:10 PM
Hmmm, I've definitely gotten them with an ASUS Commando, and an ASUS P5D and a P5D Deluxe.
I had two P4x's, and my current mobo is a P7H55M-Pro. Never saw the adapter thingie, though it would've been pretty helpful.
Quote from: Caliga on March 25, 2010, 01:21:40 PM
ASUS boards always come with these little doohickeys that you plug the front wires in to, and then plug into the mobo with as a guide. In fact they look just like the thing in the pic a few posts back. Since I started getting those, I never once messed up a front panel wiring job. Also, does the board have a power switch directly on it? About half of the boards I've worked with do, so you can quickly figure out if it's a wiring problem or perhaps something worse.
Yep. I have gotten those as well. ASUS doesn't send them to people on its "asshole doesn't deserve it" list, though.
I was going to say front panel wiring, since the mobo is lit up. However, it seems like everyone already said it, so I don't have to repeat it.
Quote from: grumbler on March 26, 2010, 08:53:22 AM
Yep. I have gotten those as well. ASUS doesn't send them to people on its "asshole doesn't deserve it" list, though.
:punk: Sometimes I park in handicapped spaces, while handicapped people make handicapped faces...
Quote from: derspiess on March 26, 2010, 11:08:08 AM
Quote from: grumbler on March 26, 2010, 08:53:22 AM
Yep. I have gotten those as well. ASUS doesn't send them to people on its "asshole doesn't deserve it" list, though.
:punk: Sometimes I park in handicapped spaces, while handicapped people make handicapped faces...
That's pretty classless. The handicapped spaces are only for those who are
physically handicapped.
Quote from: DGuller on March 29, 2010, 07:15:49 PM
That's pretty classless. The handicapped spaces are only for those who are physically handicapped.
OUCH
Sorry to dredge this up, but it's for the same computer. It's worked fine for a long time, but apparently now it isn't starting up once more. The computer will turn on, the fan will start up, and then it will shut down.
This sounds like a circuit problem to me, but I could be mistaken. Does anyone have any thoughts?
Do you have one of those speaker things connected? Usually, if you do, the motherboard will emit sounds when you turn on the power, giving you some clue as to what's wrong.
Could be that your CPU fan is a goner, since it shuts down. The motherboards I have experienced do not POST when the CPU fan doesn't run.
Quote from: Faeelin on June 28, 2011, 08:45:29 PM
Sorry to dredge this up, but it's for the same computer. It's worked fine for a long time, but apparently now it isn't starting up once more. The computer will turn on, the fan will start up, and then it will shut down.
This sounds like a circuit problem to me, but I could be mistaken. Does anyone have any thoughts?
You should be getting POST beeps. Have you swapped out memory (or at least shifted memory in the slots)? Could also be that the silicone grease between the CPU and cooler has broken down, though normally this wouldn't stop a boot-up, just cause shutdowns later on.
Disconnect everything except the CPU and one stick of memory, and see if the system will boot up. If it does, add stuff back in until it fails. If it doesn't, replace the memory. If it still fails, use a different memory slot. If no memory/slot combo works, call back.
Quote from: Norgy on June 30, 2011, 02:46:14 AM
Could be that your CPU fan is a goner, since it shuts down. The motherboards I have experienced do not POST when the CPU fan doesn't run.
Seems possible, though in my case when I've had this I get past POST but then get an on-screen message like "CPU fan failure" or something and the computer shuts off. I've seen than on ASUS boards and I think maybe Gigabyte boards too. Of course if he opens the case and boots it he'll easily be able to tell if that's the issue.
You're right, Cal. My newest Asus board does indeed POST even with CPU fan problems.
Does the rig have a discreet graphics card?
And is the PSU a POS or a good one?