New build won't post/provide video output, but CPU/Video card/Case fans and lights turn on

llamacide · Jan 10, 2016

Hi everyone,

First time builder here, and like the title says, I'm not able to get my motherboard to post. I've followed along with the sticked troubleshooting post but haven't had any luck. Here's the build (ignore the prices).

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($300.00)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($66.00)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card ($649.99 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT H440 (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($80.00)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($115.98 @ Newegg)
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-10 17:17 EST-0500

I didn't do an external test during building, which I now regret. I put the CPU, cooler, and RAM on the motherboard, install the motherboard in the case, get everything connected to the power supply/case and when I flip the switch... nothing.

I looked at all the connections, and it seemed that the 8-pin CPU power connector wasn't seated properly (my PSU has two four-pin connectors, and I think one of them was oriented incorrectly.) It was stuck pretty good and I couldn't get it out, so I just took the whole motherboard out of the case.
I got everything reassembled externally (on the mobo box).

Now when I turn the power on and press the power button on my mobo, the CPU fans, case fans/lights, and video card fans/lights all turn on, but none of the other posting lights on the motherboard light up (and no video output of course.) I grabbed a buzzer from radio shack, and I'm not getting any beeps at all (when I put one of the leads in contact with the speaker ground pin, I do get a steady noise, so I'm confident the buzzer works.)

Here's what I've tried:

- Removing one stick of RAM at time (checked that they sticks are in the correct slots.)
- Removed video card and plugged a known-good monitor into the motherboard with a known-good cable.
- Removed and re-seated the CPU, checking for bent pins.

I'm worried I may have fried my mobo (or that it was bad.) I can't think of anything I did that would've damaged it, but I've also never done this before so it's possible I did something without realizing it.
Does anyone have additional troubleshooting suggestions? I'd really appreciate it. Happy to answer questions/post photos. Thanks!

alexoiu · Jan 10, 2016

Try starting the board with RAMs removed. See if the CPU fan is spinning and if any beeps.

llamacide · Jan 10, 2016

alexoiu :

I should've mentioned this in the OP, but I've tried that and I get the same result (i.e., no beeps or post LEDs, but fans power up.)

alexoiu · Jan 10, 2016

Then I suggest removing the CPU and checking the socket. See if any bent pin.

dudmont · Jan 10, 2016

Does that mobo have a dual bios? If it does, try the other bios.

NEmpire95 · Jan 10, 2016

alexoiu They've done that. Did you make sure that the hdmi cable or whatever you are using was plugged directly into the gpu?

llamacide · Jan 10, 2016

alexoiu :

I tried that, and while everything looks good to me, I'm also not sure exactly what to look for. I took some photos when I did it:

http://

llamacide · Jan 10, 2016

NEmpire95 :

I've tried it with my monitor plugged directly into the GPU and didn't get anything. Currently I have the GPU removed, and my monitor connected directly to the motherboard (I tried plugging another computer into that exact same monitor/cable and it works normally.)

alexoiu · Jan 10, 2016

Yes, socket looks ok. However, if the case speaker does work, and no beeps, then I'd RMA both board and CPU.

llamacide · Jan 10, 2016

dudmont :

I don't think so? I'm looking at the manual now and don't see any mention of dual bios but I might be missing something.

NEmpire95 · Jan 10, 2016

Just out of curiosity what thermal paste are you using and did you notice any thermal paste on anything but the heat spreader on the CPU?

llamacide · Jan 10, 2016

NEmpire95 :

I marked this as the answer when I meant to reply... I don't see an undo option?

I'm using the stuff that came with my cooler (labeled 'PH-NDC'). There's a little bit on the bracket (not sure if that's the right word, the thing that comes down on top of the CPU) but that's it. I had some trouble getting the screws aligned when I was putting the heatsink on at first and I think it got smeared. But I don't see it anywhere else.

NEmpire95 · Jan 10, 2016

llamacide :

NEmpire95 :

I marked this as the answer when I meant to reply... I don't see an undo option?

I'm using the stuff that came with my cooler (labeled 'PH-NDC'). There's a little bit on the bracket (not sure if that's the right word, the thing that comes down on top of the CPU) but that's it. I had some trouble getting the screws aligned when I was putting the heatsink on at first and I think it got smeared. But I don't see it anywhere else.

Okay that's not the problem then, I agree rma mobo and cpu if it's possible.

llamacide · Jan 10, 2016

NEmpire95 :

Okay, thanks for the help. Here's a photo showing what I'm talking about with the thermal paste (after I attempted to clean it off the CPU).

NEmpire95 · Jan 10, 2016

As long as none of it got on the chip itself or in the socket that shouldn't be a problem.

llamacide · Jan 10, 2016

NEmpire95 :

Yeah, I don't see anything. Thanks again.

Amwryn · Jan 15, 2016

Still having the same issue? Im using the exact same Mobo, and CPU (arrived today) and am getting the exact same error..

llamacide · Jan 15, 2016

Amwryn :

Sorry to hear that, it's super frustrating. I actually just took the CPU and motherboard back to Microcenter last night, explained what was going on, and they swapped them both out for me. Got home and had everything built and booting into Windows in < 2 hours. So if you've tried everything else, I'd suggest going the RMA route (with both CPU and motherboard if you can.) Good luck!

Also, thanks again to everyone who replied to my original post.

New build won't post/provide video output, but CPU/Video card/Case fans and lights turn on

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