New PC Won't Start

[mps727]

Hi, I've been searching around the forums but I haven't been able to find anything that solves my problem so I guess I'll make a new topic.

Basically my situation is this. I've built a few PCs before for other people as well as myself so I know may way around the basics, but I'm far from an expert. A friend gave me the parts to build him a new PC and I put it all together. When I plug it in and push the power button, it lights up for about half a second and then dies. None of the fans start, no POST and no video output at all. After this happens, when I push the power button again nothing happens at all, not even the light. If I turn off the PSU and then turn it on again, the same thing happens all over again. Lights up for the first time I hit the button and then doesn't any time after.

I followed the steps listed in the troubleshooting guide at http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/thread27079.html, and also did the bare bones setup. Here are the specs of the basic hardware components:

Motherboard: Asus P5B-E
http://ch.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=307&model=1347&modelmenu=1

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115005

Video Card: GeForce 7600 GT OC
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/bfg_7600_gt_oc_sli/

RAM: Corsair DDR2 XMS2 (I only put one stick in)
http://www.directron.com/twin2x1024a640.html

PSU: Raidmax RX-630A
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817152026

I've checked the power supply connections over and over and it all seems to be connected correctly. I know the power supply and motherboard are working because when I turn on the PSU, the LED on the motherboard lights up.

One thing I noticed is I was looking at the memory QVL (http://usa.asus.com/100/download/products/1347/1347_10.pdf) for the motherboard and the RAM I have doesn't seem to be listed on it. Is this a problem? Antway that's about it for now, hopefully someone will be able to help. Thanks!

[jbennet]

pull out all cards and drives and try to boot
does that work

[mps727]

I have already done this and it still does the same thing. Currently all I am using is the motherboard, CPU, video card, and one stick of RAM.

[jbennet]

is it getting enough juice?

how many watts is the psu?
a decent graphics card and cpu can use loads so mosy budget psu's cut out under load (games and when starting up the pc etc...)

[mps727]

Here are the secifications of the power supply I am using:

Model Brand RAIDMAX
Model RX-630A
Type ATX12V/ EPS12V
Maximum Power 630W
Fans 2
PFC No
Main Connector 24-Pin
Dual +12V Yes
Modular Cabling Support Yes
Power Good Signal 100-500ms
Hold-up Time >10ms at full load Efficiency > 70%
Over Voltage Protection YES
Overload Protection YES
Input Voltage 115/230 V
Input Frequency Range 50/60 Hz
Input Current 10A @ 115V, 5A @ 230V
Output +3.3V@30A, +5V@45A, +12V1@18A, +12V2@16A, -12V@1.0A, +5VSB@2.5A
MTBF >100,000 Hours
Approvals CB, IEC, TUV, UL, CSA
Features ATX-2.01V Dual 12V, SMART CABLE (connect only the cables you need), copper-mesh shielding cables, brushed aluminum casting, gold pin connectors, blue led fan; 1x 20/24pin Main Power, 1x ATX12V 4pin/8pin, 8x Peripheral, 2x Floppy, 4x SATA, 1x PCI

I don't know a whole lot about power supplies so I'm not sure if this is a lot or a little. The price on newegg.com for this unit is $108.99. I don't know if that's expensive or not, but it looks fairy nice.

[Chaky]

Try removing the memory, leaving only CPU, VGA (make sure it has it's own power cable plugged in) and motherboard attached to the PSU. This is a minimal combination for you to get video feedback.

If the same thing happens again try removing VGA.

This power supply unit has several protections implemented. One type of protection is to shut off the power supply if short circuit is detected.
Your desorption of symptoms suggest just that.

If the combinations I suggested didn't help, I guess it is either faulty mobo or CPU. You can try unplugging the CPU and trying to switch on, just to see if there is any difference in the behavior, but I doubt that you would notice any even if the motherboard was OK.
Maybe even the PSU is shutting off the power for no reason (faulty PSU).

[mps727]

Try removing the memory, leaving only CPU, VGA (make sure it has it's own power cable plugged in) and motherboard attached to the PSU. This is a minimal combination for you to get video feedback.

If the same thing happens again try removing VGA.

This power supply unit has several protections implemented. One type of protection is to shut off the power supply if short circuit is detected.
Your desorption of symptoms suggest just that.

If the combinations I suggested didn't help, I guess it is either faulty mobo or CPU. You can try unplugging the CPU and trying to switch on, just to see if there is any difference in the behavior, but I doubt that you would notice any even if the motherboard was OK.
Maybe even the PSU is shutting off the power for no reason (faulty PSU).

Ok, I slowly took each piece out one by one and the same thing happened each time. Even with just the motherboard and PSU. I'm not really sure where to go from here. Will I have to send pieces to the manufacturer to check or something? :(

[Chaky]

It's down to PSU, motherboard or CPU.

You can replace the PSU with PSU that you know that works to see if the problem lies with PSU.

If you have spare CPU that fits, you can try it to see if it gets you anywhere, but be aware that faulty motherboard can toast the CPU.

I'm guessing that these are all brand-new parts.
If so, you can replace them at the store where your friend bought them.

Safest way would be replacing PSU, motherboard and CPU, regardless of what is faulty, and what is not.

[jbennet]

is one of th blobs of solder on the motherboard touching the bottom of the case and shortcircuiting?

You do know it has to be on rubber feet or foam or somethig right as if it touches the case it screws it all up

[Ranged]

I have the same mobo with the same problem, im sending it back.

All my stuff is compatible. PSU works fine in my old case so its note that. its either the cpu mem or mobo.