Completely new Hardware, no booting?

[jdebunt]

Hello people,

i've also decided to build a new rig for mining purposes (altcoin mostly).

I've purchased the following hardware (brand new) :

- Mobo : Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3
- Memory : Kingston HyperX Blu 4 GB DIMM DDR3-1600
- CPU : AMD Athlon II X4 640 (using the standard cooler, but got a spare one, same results)
- Vid card : Sapphire ATI HD 7970 Dual-X 3 GB
- PSU : Be quiet! Pure Power CM BQT L8-CM-630W  

HDD is a disk cannibalized from a previous comp with win XP, this disk works fine & has been tested.

So, after connecting everything as follows :

PSU : 20 + 4 pin to Mobo for power , 2x4 pin for CPU usage, those are connected properly (even plugged out, reconnected several times), they seem to be working.
        6 pin PCI-E connector to the Sapphire card, this works fine too, fans are spinning.
      
        CPU fan plugged in to the cpu_fan socket on the mobo, fan is spinning
      
        connection from PSU to HDD through the regular cable + cable from HDD to mobo (not sure what type this is called? it's small & flat)

NO cd drive installed because i just wanted to see if everything worked before adding another component.

Now the issue i have is :

- PSU starts spinning fine
- CPU fan starts spinning fine
- Sapphire card fans spin fine
- HDD powers up and i can hear it processing data

=> Mobo does NOT make any sound (no beeping at all, even with speakers, nothing happens)
==> Monitor remains on "no input signal detected", tried this with the HDMI cable from vid card to monitor, the DVI converter plug to VGA to monitor, even different monitors, different cables, absolutely no response.

So first i thought it may be the old case im using, perhaps one of the old mobo pin slots is pushing against a part of my new mobo. Nope, everything works fine, even without the case on a flat surface, same results.

Then i thought, maybe it's the new PSU? So i tried my OLD PSU, nope, same results.

I've been on this for 7 hours now, if anyone has ANY idea, i'll gladly hear it...

      

Only one 6 pin PCI-E connector connected to the Sapphire? From their website, the 7970 Dual-X requires 1x 6pin + 1x 8 pin PCI-E.

Other possibility is CPU, I don't think it looks like a dead BIOS. I'd start with the VGA card though.

I tried connecting one and both, no response.

So i tried with my old Nvidia card (GTX8500), gives no response either.

Today i received a new CPU, which is supported by the mobo 100%, no response.

I'm at a complete loss here atm :s

[Rakessh]

Can't flash bios if it won't even boot off a live cd.

The mobo sounds bricked or dead tbh. I'm really surprised they sent the *same* motherboard back to you without testing it first, or does testing the motherboard also break warranty? ;P

[jdebunt]

Can't flash bios if it won't even boot off a live cd.

The mobo sounds bricked or dead tbh. I'm really surprised they sent the *same* motherboard back to you without testing it first, or does testing the motherboard also break warranty? ;P

they didn't want to test it because "there are signs of excessive usage".

There are no scratches, no dents, it's been installed, put in the case, pulled out of the case after removing screws & then put in the box to return.

CPU clicks fine in the slot, all fans still working, yet no booting...guess i'll buy a new mobo then...again

[ssateneth]

I've gotten black screen of death (no post) from a bad CPU, and bad motherboard in 2 separate scenarios. Incompatible/bad memory can cause no post as well as is the case with my old G41 motherboard; It won't post with high density memory, but works just fine with lower density. Just process of elimination. Switch the CPU, switch the RAM, then switch the board. If nothing works, then don't know what to say. YOu have bad luck.

[jdebunt]

I've gotten black screen of death (no post) from a bad CPU, and bad motherboard in 2 separate scenarios. Incompatible/bad memory can cause no post as well as is the case with my old G41 motherboard; It won't post with high density memory, but works just fine with lower density. Just process of elimination. Switch the CPU, switch the RAM, then switch the board. If nothing works, then don't know what to say. YOu have bad luck.

good thing i had some stuff coming in today

Tried a new CPU , no result (cpu works fine in other comp)

tried different ram, no result either (ram works fine in other comp)

The new mobo is on it's way from Amazon & should get here tuesday, so i'll keep you guys updated

[Lacan82]

I've gotten black screen of death (no post) from a bad CPU, and bad motherboard in 2 separate scenarios. Incompatible/bad memory can cause no post as well as is the case with my old G41 motherboard; It won't post with high density memory, but works just fine with lower density. Just process of elimination. Switch the CPU, switch the RAM, then switch the board. If nothing works, then don't know what to say. YOu have bad luck.

good thing i had some stuff coming in today

Tried a new CPU , no result (cpu works fine in other comp)

tried different ram, no result either (ram works fine in other comp)

The new mobo is on it's way from Amazon & should get here tuesday, so i'll keep you guys updated

You've connect the 4 PIN power connect on the MOBO near the CPU? If so, then try setting the BIOS on the MOBO. it will be in the manual on how to reset it on the MOBO itself

[KS]

meh...

basic checks then:

RAM: 2 DIMMS in the *white* slots (DIMM1 and DIMM2)? compatible & know working? (in doubt, i always go for Kingston, they have the best validation/compatibility)
Clear CMOS jumper is open (i.e. nothing is connecting the two pins)?
Front panel header connected properly (reset/power switches)?

disconnect everything not needed. (drives, extra fans, whatnot)

do you have a PCI VGA lying somewhere?

[jdebunt]

meh...

basic checks then:

RAM: 2 DIMMS in the *white* slots (DIMM1 and DIMM2)? compatible & know working? (in doubt, i always go for Kingston, they have the best validation/compatibility)
Clear CMOS jumper is open (i.e. nothing is connecting the two pins)?
Front panel header connected properly (reset/power switches)?

disconnect everything not needed. (drives, extra fans, whatnot)

do you have a PCI VGA lying somewhere?

Ram : correct slots, it's Kingston memory , works fine
Cleared CMOS : several times, no response :)nothign is connecting the two pins indeed.

Front panel is connected properly, powers on with the power button, resets with the reset button.

Connected devices : HDD, graphics card.

Tried a PCI VGA, no response.

[KS]

meh...

basic checks then:

RAM: 2 DIMMS in the *white* slots (DIMM1 and DIMM2)? compatible & know working? (in doubt, i always go for Kingston, they have the best validation/compatibility)
Clear CMOS jumper is open (i.e. nothing is connecting the two pins)?
Front panel header connected properly (reset/power switches)?

disconnect everything not needed. (drives, extra fans, whatnot)

do you have a PCI VGA lying somewhere?

Ram : correct slots, it's Kingston memory , works fine
Cleared CMOS : several times, no response :)nothign is connecting the two pins indeed.

Front panel is connected properly, powers on with the power button, resets with the reset button.

Connected devices : HDD, graphics card.

Tried a PCI VGA, no response.

Tried without the HDD? Had a few boards in the past that had issues with some SATA HDDs - they would post though but then get stuck. 1/10⁶ chance.

I guess you'll just have to RMA this board if the new board works fine with the CPU/RAM whatnot from the current, non-working configuration.

Just had a head scratcher while building a new LTC miner. Everything was OK, I turn if off to install Linux then...nothing. Not even fans. I thought it was a BIOS issue at the time.

Apparently, the mobo got "stuck" because of one VGA card's fan that was blocked at some (unknown) point (high speed fans sucked the VGA sitting next to it until they got stuck) - Had to disconnect everything, PSU, VGA, etc, and start off of the onboard VGA. Now everything is fine.... "stuck" VGA too...

[jdebunt]

meh...

basic checks then:

RAM: 2 DIMMS in the *white* slots (DIMM1 and DIMM2)? compatible & know working? (in doubt, i always go for Kingston, they have the best validation/compatibility)
Clear CMOS jumper is open (i.e. nothing is connecting the two pins)?
Front panel header connected properly (reset/power switches)?

disconnect everything not needed. (drives, extra fans, whatnot)

do you have a PCI VGA lying somewhere?

Ram : correct slots, it's Kingston memory , works fine
Cleared CMOS : several times, no response :)nothign is connecting the two pins indeed.

Front panel is connected properly, powers on with the power button, resets with the reset button.

Connected devices : HDD, graphics card.

Tried a PCI VGA, no response.

Tried without the HDD? Had a few boards in the past that had issues with some SATA HDDs - they would post though but then get stuck. 1/10⁶ chance.

I guess you'll just have to RMA this board if the new board works fine with the CPU/RAM whatnot from the current, non-working configuration.

Just had a head scratcher while building a new LTC miner. Everything was OK, I turn if off to install Linux then...nothing. Not even fans. I thought it was a BIOS issue at the time.

Apparently, the mobo got "stuck" because of one VGA card's fan that was blocked at some (unknown) point (high speed fans sucked the VGA sitting next to it until they got stuck) - Had to disconnect everything, PSU, VGA, etc, and start off of the onboard VGA. Now everything is fine.... "stuck" VGA too...

Thanks for the additional advice

Removed the HDD & tried to let it boot with just the VGA card , CPU & memory : nothing.

Even changed PC Speakers to make sure it wasn't broken, still nothing.

New mobo should be here tuesday or wednesday so i hope i'm luckier with that

[KS]

meh...

basic checks then:

RAM: 2 DIMMS in the *white* slots (DIMM1 and DIMM2)? compatible & know working? (in doubt, i always go for Kingston, they have the best validation/compatibility)
Clear CMOS jumper is open (i.e. nothing is connecting the two pins)?
Front panel header connected properly (reset/power switches)?

disconnect everything not needed. (drives, extra fans, whatnot)

do you have a PCI VGA lying somewhere?

Ram : correct slots, it's Kingston memory , works fine
Cleared CMOS : several times, no response :)nothign is connecting the two pins indeed.

Front panel is connected properly, powers on with the power button, resets with the reset button.

Connected devices : HDD, graphics card.

Tried a PCI VGA, no response.

Tried without the HDD? Had a few boards in the past that had issues with some SATA HDDs - they would post though but then get stuck. 1/10⁶ chance.

I guess you'll just have to RMA this board if the new board works fine with the CPU/RAM whatnot from the current, non-working configuration.

Just had a head scratcher while building a new LTC miner. Everything was OK, I turn if off to install Linux then...nothing. Not even fans. I thought it was a BIOS issue at the time.

Apparently, the mobo got "stuck" because of one VGA card's fan that was blocked at some (unknown) point (high speed fans sucked the VGA sitting next to it until they got stuck) - Had to disconnect everything, PSU, VGA, etc, and start off of the onboard VGA. Now everything is fine.... "stuck" VGA too...

Thanks for the additional advice

Removed the HDD & tried to let it boot with just the VGA card , CPU & memory : nothing.

Even changed PC Speakers to make sure it wasn't broken, still nothing.

New mobo should be here tuesday or wednesday so i hope i'm luckier with that

Yeah, the HDD was a looong shot.

Unfortunately, it looks like you bought a DOA board. You'll know for sure if the new one works. Any possibility of sending the defect one for a refund?

[jdebunt]

Well, i have good news

THe new mobo arrived today, works like a charm, guess i'm not as stupid afterall

Thanks for everyone who supported me, this topic can be closed now Mods

[KS]

Well, i have good news

THe new mobo arrived today, works like a charm, guess i'm not as stupid afterall

Thanks for everyone who supported me, this topic can be closed now Mods

Champagne!

BTW, you're the OP so you can lock it.