How to resolve new hardware red status signal?

ineuw · 05 Jun 2018

Decided to go low end since I am not a gamer, and purchased a GIGABYTE GA-B250-HD3 MB with an Intel Pentium Processor G4560, and a Ballistix Sport LT 8GB Single DDR4 2400 (Gray). Assembled the system without any hardship since this is not my first hardware assembly. On the first try, the MB CPU status light flashed on once, and then nothing. Disconnected the drives, removed the DDR4 memory, tried it and the same thing happened again. Removed the CPU itself and the same thing happened again. The power supply is a 1 year old EVGA 500 watt unit, and is in good working condition. How can I test and determine the problem?

Mellon Head · 05 Jun 2018

This may sound stupidly obvious, and I don't mean it to be insulting, but did you remember to plug in the motherboard's CPU power connector (Also known as P4)?

ineuw · 05 Jun 2018

Mellon Head said:

This may sound stupidly obvious, and I don't mean it to be insulting, but did you remember to plug in the motherboard's CPU power connector (Also known as P4)?

You are not insulting and there is no such a thing as a stupid question. After all, I didn't provide detailed info.

Yes, the 24 pin power supply and 6 pins of the PCIE 8 (6+2) power connection are both connected. But the two on the left, f the PCIE don't fit so I left it as is. Please see attached images. I assume that the PCIE powers the CPU. Without this connection, the status light would not work.

I am not sure what these two leftover connections from the PSU are. There are two sets of these connectors. They are identical, and I assume that 2nd is for a PCIE Express video card which would not apply to me. Nevertheless I am unclear about the two empty sockets on the left. The power supply is a 500 Watt EVGA, purchased two years ago, and I assume that the connectors are up to date.

iko22 · 06 Jun 2018

When a LED lamp shows, it means that the corresponding device is not working. So you have to determine why the CPU is not working.
Well the answer appears to be in your photographs. The socket shown is not a pcie socket, it is an ATX 2x4 12V, and it supplies volts to the CPU. You can see the "ATX 12V 2X4" print on the edge of the motherboard next to the socket, confirming that youd found the right connection. Your holding the right connector in picture 2, you just have to gently get the 6+2 pin connector into the 8 pin header. The 6+2 pin will only go in one way because of the shape of the cavities. Insert the 6 pin in first before getting the orientation of the remaining 2 pin connector lined up.
The pcie connector would normally be found on the graphics card, where it connects directly to the power supply.

Megahertz07 · 06 Jun 2018

The case power on switch is a pulse contact. if it remains on, it will turn the computer on then off.

ineuw · 06 Jun 2018

iko22, you are 100% right and thanks for taking the time to help, but the problem seems to be the male connector of the PSUy. If you look at the images closely, the +2 male connector is the opposite of the socket configuration of the mobo, while the +6 connector fits perfectly. Not knowing what and who was at fault. I wrote & sent the images to both the mobo and the PSU manufacturer, and left it to them to figure out what went wrong. In the meanwhile, I returned my purchases and starting all over by looking for a new up to date PSU.

ineuw · 06 Jun 2018

Please see the attached image of the PSU male connectors. As for the front panel swithch, I am aware how it makes and breaks contact.

ineuw · 07 Jun 2018

Just to summarize, I contacted EVGA and emailed them the images. It seems that they made a BIG mistake because the second connector should have been the correct one for the motherboard as stated on their tech. specs. I wonder how many customers noticed this. Irregardless, I replaced it with an Antec 650 watt ATX12V/EPS12V PSU.