Blank Screen

N

newguyintown

New Member
Today, I hooked up all of the parts I ordered except for the memory stick that is not with me. I was expecting to see some error message on the screen even though the memory is the only thing missing. (My monitor does not even detected any incoming signals...)

CPU,CPU fan,VGA,SSD,PSU,24-pin ATX, CPU Power, VGA Power, SSD Sata/Power, Fans' Power, Power Switch, Reset, Power LED, HD LED, AC'97... I don't think I left anything out...

This is my first time building my computer, but I did not looked at the instructions as I am building it except for the CPU. I reviewed the instructions after trying to power on my computer and nothing shows up on my display. It seems like I did everything except for hitting the reset CMOS. So, I hit that but nothing new happened...

These are the only things I did not do: apply thermal paste to CPU (I don't have any...), insert RAM into slot (they're at home, 90 miles away, car is totaled...)...

Other things to note (But I highly doubt it is due to them):

I dropped the motherboard once because I picked it up by CPU fan and the motherboard detach itself from the CPU fan and fell onto a cardboard from 6 inches(?). (I thought it would be more convenient this way because I can just lower it into case...)

I keep disassembling the video card from the motherboard and the motherboard from case because I did things out in order (inserted motherboard into case... attached VGA... undo,undo,insert those golden screws... inserted motherboard into case... attached VGA... undo,undo, add I/O plate... blah blah blah).

I tightening those screws pretty darn tight... All components are quite stiff in relative to the case.

I missed the screws a few time, and hit the motherboard moderately hard... did not check for scratches on traces or anything...

The LED display on the motherboard says 83 if you flip the case upside down. According to the manual, this suppose to be the temperature of the CPU (in Fahrenheit, I suppose since the number seems quite large to be in Celsius. I do not know what is the operating temperature of the CPU to be certain.). Or this is an indication that the motherboard has malfunctioned because it would be strange to read a LED display up-side down and reading it right-side-up would be E8...


Anyways, these are my observations and actions that might help you guys to identify what is wrong with the computer.

Hopefully, I did not physically damaged the components due to my lack of experience...

Thank you in advance for your input.

EDIT: My hardware components are listed in my signature.
 
Last edited:
A computer with 0 RAM will not boot. When your RAM gets there, hopefully you'll be up and running. :good:
 
Ok, there is a lot going on in your post.

* First of all, like Deanj20 said, it wont boot without RAM. It just wont.

* You HAVE TO apply thermal paste to the cpu for proper heat transfer to the heatsink. That is probably why the temp is so high.

Though the cpu and heatsink may look smooth, they really arent. There are tiny, microscopic irregularities in their mating surfaces. This irregularity keeps the cpu and heatsink from mounting together perfectly, and causes air gaps.

SinkCpuGap.JPG

Image from: http://www.pcviper.net/UltraLappingKitExplained.htm

This is why you need thermal paste. The thermal paste is a compound with a high thermal conductivity that assists in the thermal transfer of heat from the cpu to the heatsink. Using your computer without thermal paste can permanently damage the cpu.

* Then you say that you once picked up the motherboard by the heatsink. Don't ever do that. The heatsink itself may look tough, but the parts it is connected to (the cpu for instance) are VERY FRAGILE. Only hold the motherboard by the edges of the board, and try your absolute hardest not to touch ANY electrical contacts on the top or bottom of the board. If you want to be extra cautious with your computer, then use an anti-static wrist strap whenever you work on computer components. (That's a nice motherboard, I'd be careful with it if I were you.)

* You are also putting things together, taking them apart, together, apart, etc.......

You will cause wear on the mating surfaces. Theses parts were made to be taken apart, but not an excessive number of times. The more you "adjust" things and re-do your installation the sloppier the fit of the parts will be.

* You also mention that you wrenched the motherboard screws REALLY TIGHT.....why? They only need to be secured snugly. Just enough that things wont move around during use. I would assume that this computer isn't going to be used in a military vehicle, bouncing around and having to endure explosions, eh? So all you need is to snug the screws, there is no Schwarzenegger muscle power needed for this job.

*What I would suggest for you: Go to a thrift store and buy a really old computer. Get a cheap one that you can just mess with, but make sure that it still works. Take it home, verify that it works, and then take it apart. Clean it and put it back together. Then take it apart again. Then put it back together.

But when you go to put it back together each time, think through the process. Plan out each part, every screw, every connection. Layout all the parts before installation, as well as all the accessories (parts, screws, cables, clips, etc....) that correspond to each part. That way you can practice re-assembling something, and you wont have to learn the hard way on your main machine.

Most of all, take your time! There is no rush to get something together. If you are missing something, or you aren't sure how something fits; then wait until you: have the part you need, or have spoken to someone about how the parts fit/go together.

You may have already irreparably damaged the parts. You may want to get the RAM in, apply the thermal paste, assemble the computer fully, and then see if it boots.

If it doesnt run..... it may be hardware problems. And the companies may or may no replace the parts for you if they suspect you were negligent in how you handed their parts.


For thermal paste application instructions:http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/274/1

Installing a motherboard (general advice): http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/archive/g0811/26g11/26g11.asp&guid=

Below are two guides for building a computer, with handling tips included.

1. ComputerForum's guide by [-0MEGA-]:
http://www.computerforum.com/104641-how-build-computer-step-step-photos.html

2. The PC Guide:
http://www.pcguide.com/byop/byop_Chapter2ComponentOverview.htm
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top