My First Build Won't POST

rabark07 · Feb 21, 2015

My Components:

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-SLI LGA 1150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128714

Processor: Intel Core i5-4690 Haswell Quad-Core 3.5GHz LGA 1150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116989

RAM: HyperX Fury Red Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104449

Power Supply: Cooler Master V1000 - 1000W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171078

My Problem:

This is my very first attempt at building a PC. As many guides have recommended, I am installing the CPU, CPU fan, and RAM on the motherboard outside of the case (using the motherboard's box as my "workbench"). After doing that, I connect the motherboard to the PSU using the 24 pin and 8 pin cables. Then I plug my monitor into the on-board DVI outlet.

I turn on the power supply, and then turn on my monitor. The monitor comes on fine, but I don't see a POST or BIOS screen (monitor goes black and its power light turns orange). There are no beeps/lights coming from the motherboard, the CPU fan isn't spinning (and it is plugged into the mobo), and I don't hear or see anything coming from the power supply (should I?). I have tried plugging in all 4 RAM sticks, and using only one RAM stick in the slot furthest from the CPU, but the result is the same. No POST/BIOS or lights. Just silence.

I have a bad feeling the mobo or power supply is DOA. What's your all's take?

-Robert

alexoiu · Feb 21, 2015

I suggest testing with only CPU and CPU fan installed. Try starting the board by shortly touching with a screwdriver the 2 pins on the motherboard where the case power button gets connected.
If still the CPU fan does not spin, then test the power supply: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FWXgQSokF4 See if a connected fan does spin.

tsnor · Feb 21, 2015

"... the CPU fan isn't spinning (and it is plugged into the mobo),..." This is a problem. Debug this first. Double check that (as you say in your append) that both 24 and 8 pin are in. Then double check the fan is plugged the right way in the fan header. If the fan is still not working spin it with your finger to make sure it is not blocked.

If the fan is still not spinning some other component may be shorting out the PSU. Remove all cables from MB except the PSU cables. If the CPU fan is still not spinning remove memory too. The CPU fan should spin now. If not remove MB from case (it might be shorting against case if standoffs not right. Put MB on cardboard box it came in. Then try again. If fan still does not spin the use multi-meter to check PSU output on a 4 pin molex connector. GL

rabark07 · Feb 22, 2015

alexoiu :

I haven't hooked up my case yet (still in the box, in fact) so I'm not sure exactly where these two pins are. However, I only saw one set of two pins sticking out on the mobo. They had "CLR CMOS" written next to them. I take it those are the two pins you're talking about? I touched them with a screwdriver, but nothing happened.

alexoiu :

Unfortunately, the 24 pin cable that came with my PSU has all black cables for each pin. I don't know which two pins to short out as per the video. Is there another way to identify the proper pins?

tsnor :

The fan is still not spinning. I don't own a mult-meter, but will try to pick up one today.

alexoiu · Feb 22, 2015

"I haven't hooked up my case yet (still in the box, in fact) so I'm not sure exactly where these two pins are. However, I only saw one set of two pins sticking out on the mobo. They had "CLR CMOS" written next to them. I take it those are the two pins you're talking about? I touched them with a screwdriver, but nothing happened."

It's the header on the motherboard where you'd connect the wires coming from the case power button. The manual would definitely help. The header looks more or less like http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/attachments/troubleshooting/12708d1295030956-front-panel-header-giga.jpg

alexoiu · Feb 22, 2015

"Unfortunately, the 24 pin cable that came with my PSU has all black cables for each pin. I don't know which two pins to short out as per the video. Is there another way to identify the proper pins?"
The 24-pin connector: http://s930.photobucket.com/user/ocztech/media/ATX24-1.jpg.html
You'd connect 16 with 17.

rabark07 · Feb 22, 2015

alexoiu :

Thank you for the diagram. I connected 16 and 17 pins with the paper clip and hooked up my PSU to one of the case fans. Turned on the PSU and both the PSU and the case fan started spinning. So I guess it's not the PSU.

I took out the CPU to check for bent pins. Here's what I saw:

http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah91/rabark07/cpu_full_zps2fdff596.jpg

The north and east side pins are *all* bent forward. The other pins are straight up. Here's a closer look at the east side:

http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah91/rabark07/cpu_bent_zps8beea579.jpg

Are they supposed to be like this? If they aren't, would the bent pins stop the CPU fan from spinning?

alexoiu · Feb 22, 2015

Pins are OK. Install only CPU and CPU fan, connect both 24 and 8 pin cables. Start the board by shorting the 2 pins (check the manual for the pwrbtn pins). See if the CPU fan does spin.

rabark07 · Feb 22, 2015

alexoiu :

It worked! The CPU fan spins now. I put in one of the RAM sticks and now I'm making it to POST successfully, where it proceeds to tell me that the BIOS has been reset, and asks me if I'd like to start BIOS.

Looks like I can proceed with attaching the mobo to the case and hooking everything up. Thanks for all of your help!

alexoiu · Feb 22, 2015

No problem. Good luck!

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