Upgrading MoBo and CPU - no display on boot

[cwburns32]

Before I begin I just want to make it known that I have built over 25-30 custom PCs and have never had any serious issues. If I do run into something I usually figure it out very quickly but I troubleshot for about 6 hours today with my new MoBo and CPU and still couldn't get to boot with a display. So before I go back to Fry's and return the MoBo and/or CPU for two brand new ones I want to make sure I'm covering all the basics before I drive all the way there and back to realize it was something silly...

My current setup before installing new MoBo and CPU...

Win 7 HP SP1
AMD Phenom II X4 965
6GB DDR3 1600 MHz
BIOSTAR TA890GXB HD
ASUS ATI AMD Radeon HD 5700
1TB Seagate 7200 RPM SATAIII
Thermaltake 500W PSU
Optical drive

Upgrading to...

MSI A78M-E45
AMD A8 6600K Black Edition 3.9GHz

Main reasons for upgrading the MoBo was for USB 3.0 on board and SATAIII. Also wanted to grab a new CPU and use my old Phenom on another old PC I have laying around the house.

All fans run, CPU and GPU fan turn on - there are no LEDs on MoBo to indicate running properly or not. Installed the MoBo and the CPU and booted with no display from HDMI and VGA - both on board and through GPU. There is no onboard speaker plugged in and I do not have one to see if it posts. Tried booting with all different RAM sticks in all different slots - tried nearly every combo from 1 to a pair to all 3. Tried with just RAM and no other components. Tried with all components and many different combination of components. Tried resetting BIOS. Tried booting with MoBo out of case with minimal components and then all components. Resat CPU (reapplied thermal compound as well). Still no display. Put back in old MoBo and CPU and display comes up immediately in VGA or HDMI on board or GPU. I believe I have eliminated it being an issue on my end and am beginning to wonder if it is CPU or MoBo. I just bought them this morning so I can bring them back to Fry's and have them test and replace if need be but wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy before I headed that way tomorrow. If anyone else has anymore suggestions for me that'd be great or should I just make the trip as I know they will take care of it appropriately.

 

[DocBrown]

Are you sure the old Ram memory is compatible with the new MB ?

 

[cwburns32]

Are you sure the old Ram memory is compatible with the new MB ?

That old RAM is PC3-12800 1600 MHz and the MoBo supports that frequency and frequencies both above and below that. Could potentially the OCZ brand not mesh with MSI MoBo?

EDIT: Checking MSI's website they do not even list OCZ as one of the compatible brands - I know this doesn't necessarily mean it is not supported but it looks like I should pull some newer RAM out of another PC and test?

 

[DocBrown]

Every once in a while a certain brand of ram may not work. If you have at least 1 stick of another brand in the right speed range, see if it will post to a bios screen. Also do you have any spare mini speakers that plug into the MB header speaker connection, so you might hear the post beep codes ?

 

[cwburns32]

Every once in a while a certain brand of ram may not work. If you have at least 1 stick of another brand in the right speed range, see if it will post to a bios screen. Also do you have any spare mini speakers that plug into the MB header speaker connection, so you might hear the post beep codes ?

I do not have any spare mini speakers around - can pick you up tomorrow morning. I believe I have different brand RAM in same speed range laying around will test with that.

EDIT: A Patriot 4GB 1866 4GB stick worked - OCZ must not work at all with MSI MoBos. Will pick up some new 1600 non OCZ tomorrow.