EggXpert.com

Hey all -

I'm having trouble with my latest build (3rd from scratch) and wanted to verify that I've troubleshooted adequately. We built it in the living room, got it up and running, but then in carrying it upstairs something seemed to go awry. The symptoms were initially no display - it would turn on, the fans would spin up but no image would ever go to the monitor. No system beep, either. Here's what we did:

1) We tried other monitors that we know work with the same result.

2) We opened it up and verified all the connections and that nothing had been jostled; everything was still connected.

3) We tried removing the sli bridge, alternating the two cards in the two different PCI Express slots and trying both of the DVI ports on the back. Still the same result. We assumed that this made it very unlikely that both video cards were bad, so it's got to be deeper. Unfortunately no on-board video to test with.

4) We tried the memory in different slots and in all combination of said slots; we tested it with known working memory from another bulild; still nothing.

5) We tried clearing CMOS and doing a "power supply drain", with the same results. We followed the instructions on the asus website for trobleshooting non-boots, and the next step is to call them for more troubleshooting.

So, what do y'all think? It seems the only thing it could be is either the processor or the motherboard itself, as the power supply seems to be running all the fans and drives; I've never had a problem with processors in the past so I'm inclined to believe it's the motherboard, particularly as it's refurbished. The "carrying it upstairs" problem might be more of a red herring than anything. Do you think it's worth it to call up ASUS, or should we just try to get it returned and replaced with another model?

My friend ordered the parts so i don't have many specifics on hand, but it's an ASUS P5nt-ws, I believe, with an intel processor and 2 gigs of ddr2-800 memory. If you think more specifics will help the diagnosis let me know and I'll reply. Thanks!

I know you said that you check all the connections but sounds like you forgot to connect the 4 pin, or 8 pin connection on the motherboard. As when I build my new comp with  asus board my connector came loose and it took me an hour to figure this out, and I had all the same issues.. Also try switching out the connections maybe one isnt connecting correctly. Seems like you've done everything you could have. Asus would be a good first line of resort but dont let your rma time past and be sol with a bad mobo. So try asus first but thats my opnion because its the cheaper solution.

I agree. It sounds like your something went bad with your motherboard or with the installation. I think you need to call ASUS and get it replaced.

 

---

You may check your speaker configuration by running a test if your drivers have a speaker test included. Also check to see if your speakers are the default audio output in windows. If your speakers suddenly stopped then it may have an hardware issue. then you might call Dell and see if the can help.

Thanks for the advice - I did indeed miss a 3rd power plug called "EZ Plug" or something on the motherboard, which I had never seen before. It took one of the standard hard drive/disc drive power plugs from the power supply, however plugging this in didn't help. The manual said that without this connected it could become "unstable".

Will get in touch with Asus and see what we can do. Thanks!

Just to add, make sure it's plugged drirectly into the wall, and try another outlet just incase of a bad one.

Oh and make sure the switch on the back of the psu is in the 120 volt position incase someones playing a joke on you.