New rig won't POST!

johnwillyums · 11 Oct 2009

Hi all,

I just built my first pc (almost) from scratch and I can't get it to POST at all.

Here's the rig:

Overclocked Core i7 bundle from Overclockers.co.uk- Core i7 920@3.8 Ghz, Gigabyte EX58-UD5 MB, 6GB Corsair XMS RAM, Noctua NHU-12P HSF.

I put this in a Cooler Master ATCS 840 case with a Be Quite 850W modular PSU

I then swapped out my Samsung F1 1TB drive into the new case. This contains my Vistax64/W7x64 RTM dual boot.
I also installed my XFX GTX 260 Black Edition GPU.

With the rig main components all in the case and the PSU and HDD connected to the mobo I decided to see if it would post so I connected to my Dell Ultrasharp 2408WFP.

It won't. I tried with HDD connected and without and it won't, tried putting a USB mouse and keyboard in, still won't post.

Then I noticed my GTX 260 did not seem to have power, at least the fan wasn't running but this may be for other reasons (maybe it's clever enough to know it's got nothing to do).
I swapped this out for an 8800 GTS and this fan runs but still no POST.

There is power in the mobo, HSF works and I get lots of flashing LEDs indicating heavy load but zilch on screen.

So even with only power into the mobo, no HDD connected, just a GPU and a monitor it won't post.

I've tried everything I can think, reseated the RAM, tried both GPUs again, looked at the PSU etc and various combination of the above and I've run out of ideas.

Hopefully I'm missing something obvious. Any ideas would be welcome.
I'm despondent

Cheers John

Dwarf · 11 Oct 2009

Hi John,

What interface does your monitor use? Is it VGA or DVI? If VGA and you are using a DVI-VGA adapter attached to your graphics card, make sure that none of the pins in the adapter are damaged or broken. I had this happen to me once, and a new adapter solved the problem.

johnwillyums · 11 Oct 2009

Thanks for your reply Dwarf. I'm using a DVI to DVI cable and I know it works cos I've re installed the release candidate on my "old" rig and the monitor is working fine with it.
I'm out of ideas and feeling rather foolish, J

Barman58 · 11 Oct 2009

Hello John,

First thing is don't feel foolish - We've all been exactly where you are now

I don't know the actual MB that you have so can only give generic checks that I would do myself

The LEDs on the MB could give you an indication of any potential issue that is preventing POST

Have checked the online manual for the board and the LEDs are explained on Section 1.9 page 25 your printed manual should be the same but may not.

If you refer to the manual and check that all the LED's are in the normal state - report back any that are not - that should help one of the real MB guru's here guide you further

theog · 11 Oct 2009

Hi johnwillyums

With out me looking up mobo,has it get on board graphics,if yes, try on board.

Adrian · 11 Oct 2009

Welcome Will,
A commom failure of new builds failing the initial Post phase is an incomplete buid. IE: Connection/Install failure. Malfunction etc.
The most common in my experience is the failure to connect the LED micro pins in correct position/bent or damaged pins etc.
Attached is an image of your specific MOBO with the led posts circled.
Take a look at them, make sure you have them positioned and connected in the correct position.
Warning: The pins are very soft, be gentle!
Regards,
Adrian

johnwillyums · 11 Oct 2009

Thanks Nigel. I'll get on with that now and report back. There is a long row of LEDs on the right upper board and they turn into a multicoloured lightshow when I power up indicating heavy load. Also there appears to be the number 88 on its side at bottom right plus a constant blue light on the upper middle right.
I've got all the manuals but not particularly clear.
Interesting that my old 8800GTS 512 starts running it's fan whereas my newer XFX GTX 260 shows no sign of life. They both work fine in my "old" rig.
The PSU seems to be working and there is certainly power in the board.
I might try one RAM stick at a time what do you think?

Thanks for your support, J:)

johnwillyums · 11 Oct 2009

Adrian. Thanks, all I have in their is the power switch at the moment. Problem is the LED bundle came with the case and the Gigabyte schema is different so confusing.
Theog, I tried posting with no GPU card and all I got was less lights (less load ?) on this row of muticloured LEDs dow the top right of the board.
Cheers, J

Corpsecrank · 11 Oct 2009

I have the same type of board only AMD version.

Go into your BIOS and make sure the init display is set to your graphics card. I would assume pcie so make sure the proper setting is there save exit and then you should get some action on the screen.

If you still see nothing try clearing the CMOS manually using the jumpers on the board. Go in reset the init display again to the proper one.

It is always a good habit to clear the CMOS manually on any new board you have never had installed before. I have had a good deal of boards do nothing until I cleared it.

If none of that works I would RMA the board for a new one.

johnwillyums · 11 Oct 2009

Adrian. Just had a closer look at your pic. I don't have anything plugged in there. Only the power switch in the pin enclosure to the right of that in your photo. J

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