Computer Wont Start

[Cole]

So I gave my other computer to my brother a few months ago. Anyway about a week ago it simply stopped working. I got it from him and have been unable to diagnois the problem. I built it, the specs were:
A8N-SLI
7800GTX
Amd Athlon 3500+
TruPower 2 550Watt

When you try turning it on, nothing happens. When you unplug it and let the mobo light turns off then plug it back in; The fans will automatically start up(there connected via Mobo), then they stop spinning after a few seconds. If however you unplug the 4pin mobo-power connector so only the 24pin mobo-power connector is plugged in, the fans start up and don't shut off; Nothing else happens. Please note, it automatically does that, nothing happens when you click the power button on the case.

I unplugged everything(all wires except cpu fan - mobo power wires - chasis power connector, gfx card, etc..). Nothing changed.
Tried a different power supply. Nothing.
Reseting the CMOS. Nothing.
I don't have a case with a speaker, so I can't really test for mobo sounds, although i'd imagine there wouldn't be any.

The only things I could think it would be is either the mobo died or the cpu died. However if the cpu did, that wouldn't explain it automatically starting up when plugged in. I'd imagine the problem is the motherboard right? Either that or it isn't grounded properly. Anyone have any other ideas?

 

[Naph]

If ye have problems with the Pins, if you read the manual, it says that you need to place a power cable from the power supply to the mobo as well. Worked for me on my 400watt

 

[Asus]

Try messing with the GPU, removing it etc?

 

[Pesmerga]

Did you build it yourself? Sounds like your mobo is short circuiting- make sure you have brass standoffs all installed on the case plate where your motherboard should be affixed.

 

[Barney Fife]

If there's any component problems (except primary/secondary drives) system will not fire-up. If its a drive issue; system will fire-up but, you will end up in BIOS error.

RAM = Mismatched, dead, misconfigured, over/under volt-ed.

CPU = No power, overheat, malfunctioning/no power cooling device, dead,
misconfigured, over/under volt ed.

MB = No power to 4/8, 20/24-pin power connections, Over heat chipset, misconnected/loose components, nonperforming/underperforming system fans, dead MB.

GPU = Overheating, nonperforming cooling device, not-connecting/loose, OCed bus, no-power/poor-power.

Sound = Loose, poor-power.

PSU = Dead or dying/insufficient-power, poor in quality.

Those issues and some that I may forgotten will have system refusing to fire-up .

Try flashing out the problem taking those components I have mentioned above, one by one and fire-up system.

Good Luck.

 

[Cole]

Try messing with the GPU, removing it etc?

Been there with GPU's. My old computer didn't start up cuz of a faulty GPU. So that was the first thing I checked. Not the problem.

Did you build it yourself? Sounds like your mobo is short circuiting- make sure you have brass standoffs all installed on the case plate where your motherboard should be affixed.

It seems like its short circuting. I've installed a mobo without the brass standoffs...lol...horrible smell...mobo still worked though. Yeah i've had the mobo on brass standoffs since. I'd say its short circuting but its not the brass standoffs.

If there's any component problems (except primary/secondary drives) system will not fire-up. If its a drive issue; system will fire-up but, you will end up in BIOS error.

Can't get to BIOS. System wont start up. However, if you unplug it...plug it back in.. the fans will automatically start going (without pressing the power button).

RAM = Mismatched, dead, misconfigured, over/under volt-ed.

CPU = No power, overheat, malfunctioning/no power cooling device, dead,
misconfigured, over/under volt ed.

MB = No power to 4/8, 20/24-pin power connections, Over heat chipset, misconnected/loose components, nonperforming/underperforming system fans, dead MB.

GPU = Overheating, nonperforming cooling device, not-connecting/loose, OCed bus, no-power/poor-power.

Sound = Loose, poor-power.

PSU = Dead or dying/insufficient-power, poor in quality.

Those issues and some that I may forgotten will have system refusing to fire-up .

Try flashing out the problem taking those components I have mentioned above, one by one and fire-up system.

I've tried replacing the ram, psu, gpu, and sound card. In fact those were all the first things I did to it. I can't switch out the CPU or MB as I don't have any extras. However, even after taking out the CPU the computer still does the same thing:
(note heres the only things in the computer and it does the same thing no matter what else is plugged into the mobo: PSU and Motherboard. Nothing else. Not even the CPU. I changed the PSU with only the same results)
You unplug it for 5 seconds. Plug it back in, the fans will go for about a few seconds without me doing anything else. Thats weird, and immediately shows there is some sort of grounding or circuit issue right?

Could the Mobo be dead or is there some possible other grounding/short circuting issue that could be causing this?

 

[Barney Fife]

I'm sorry so say it (And I hope I'm wrong); I think that's a dead MB in your hands. Specially, if you have used it without standoff, your MB was very much vulnerable to the elements of static, and it may have had with it or lost the battle to excessive static.

Is there a way you can try this with another MB? I think have you already said "No" to my question.

Good Luck.

 

[Link]

Have you checked that the power button conection to the MB is seated properly?

 

[Cole]

I'm sorry so say it (And I hope I'm wrong); I think that's a dead MB in your hands. Specially, if you have used it without standoff, your MB was very much vulnerable to the elements of static, and it may have had with it or lost the battle to excessive static.

Is there a way you can try this with another MB? I think have you already said "No" to my question.

Good Luck.

This actual mobo wasn't used without standoffs. However two other ones of mine(A8N-SLI Deluxe and A8N-SLI were). Both worked fine afterwards, but broke down to other various reasons and uhh..learning experiences on my part.

Have you checked that the power button conection to the MB is seated properly?

1.)Yes, one of the first things i checked.
2.)Wouldn't explain whats going on with the computer.

 

[Javert]

Stupid question but I had the problem: Is your CPU fan set in tightly?

 

[Cole]

Stupid question but I had the problem: Is your CPU fan set in tightly?

No, and the main problem happens with or without the CPU.

 

[DrDevin]

I once built a computer for a lady and one day it refused to boot up (no post or anything). When plugged in, all of the fans would spin up and it seemed to come to life.

It was a faulty CPU that did it. I sent the chip back to AMD and got a replacement quickly. However, if your system does that without the CPU, I would suspect the motherboard. I should mention that sometimes if one goes, it takes the other with it. If you have tried everything else, go for a new motherboard or gets your repaired.