Trying to build a computer for the first time, P5K SE motherboard, 2gig ram, good power supply. The problem I'm having is whe

jerica

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Trying to build a computer for the first time, P5K SE motherboard, 2gig ram, good power supply. The problem I'm having is when I fire it up there is no signal to the monitor. I've tried two different Graphics cards, and even two mother boards and two monitors and still no joy. Everything seems to be running, all the fans are going and there are lights. What am I missing?
 
Solution
Check that the DIMM's are (supposed to be) compatible with the motherboard by using memory manufacturer memory compatibility search at their website. And check memory QVL for that motherboard at Asus website.

It is possible that the motherboard is/are faulty/DOA. It happens.

As stated before, if the CPU is faulty, it is highly unlikely it would damage other components. The system would just not work.

jerica

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One card draws from the MB and there are two six pin connectors for the other board and they were connected when I tried that card. The four pin CPU power lead is connected.
 
Confirm all other power and data cables are inserted properly.

Try one DIMM in each slot. Repeat for all slots and for all DIMM's, this will help determine if the DIMM's and/or slots are faulty. Could also try other DIMM's if available (at hand or borrow some).

If there are still issues, then suspect PSU may be faulty (even if new and a quality unit, PSU's still fail). Try another known working PSU (at hand or borrow one).
 

jerica

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Tried all of the above, two psu's, two sticks of 1G ram in all four slots, nothing. Tried this on both motherboards. The keyboard lights up briefly so power is getting to that.
 

jerica

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Just thinking, if I try the CPU in another machine and it is faulty will it damage the other machine? Also how would I update the BIOS if I cannot see what's happening?
 
It is very rare that CPU's fail. But if so, it is highly unlikely they would damage other components. CPU's just stop working.

The BIOS is not being updated. Clearing/resetting BIOS is done by moving a jumper on motherboard to clear CMOS position or by removing the battery from the motherboard for awhile. You don't have to see anything on a monitor to do that. Refer to motherboard manual if necessary to locate the jumper/battery.

Another earlier model of motherboard compatible CPU could be tried that runs on earlier BIOS versions. Refer to motherboard compatible CPU's here.
 

jerica

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The CPU came off a P5K SE and was working perfectly when removed. I've tried clearing the BIOS on both boards to no avail. The only clue I've got is that on both boards when I remove the RAM I get one long beep followed by two short ones which according to the manual means there is no RAM on board, but if I remove the VGA I get no beeps so somehow on both boards with both VGAs they are not being detected (I think). The only thing I haven't tried yet is putting the CPU back in the original computer to see what happens, but if the CPU is stuffed would it effect the machine?
 
Check that the DIMM's are (supposed to be) compatible with the motherboard by using memory manufacturer memory compatibility search at their website. And check memory QVL for that motherboard at Asus website.

It is possible that the motherboard is/are faulty/DOA. It happens.

As stated before, if the CPU is faulty, it is highly unlikely it would damage other components. The system would just not work.
 
Solution

jerica

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Hooray, thank you, it was the brand new DIMM's, whipped them out and put in one from my other machine and away we went. DIMM's going back for exchange. Thanks again for all help.
 

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