finished 1st PC-build yesterday, but won't turn on

demonikal said:
Standoffs? I don't know what standoffs are, but the ASUS mobo didn't come with anything except itself, 4 SATA cables, CD, manual, and the thing that I plugged the PWR RESET, etc. cables into which fit onto the board.

I'm not sure if this makes any difference, but the screws that the case came weren't long enough to make it from the top of the mobo to the threads in the screw holes. I was only able to fit 4 on the right-hand side of the mobo. I didn't think it mattered. Just as long as it was in place and not sagging while the PC was standing upright.

So, what are standoffs? Thanks for the DOA definition.
Click to expand...

Thats your problem then.
Standoff
standoff2.jpg


You only put them under the grounded holes on the motherboard.
lnupmbscrs.jpg
 
Last edited:
StrangleHold said:
Thats your problem then.
Standoff
standoff2.jpg


You only put them under the grounded holes on the motherboard.
lnupmbscrs.jpg
Click to expand...

I had a feeling that was what a standoff was. When I took apart my Gateway to see if I could put back together, it had those. But the PC I'm using now, an HP Pavilion, does not have them. I'll be sure to buy them in the next few days and let you know what happens. Thanks!!
 
xMKproductions said:
You should have got standoffs with your case, i had some already fitted into my case had to add 3 more for a larger motherboard.
Click to expand...

How do I know what size to get? It looks like on Tigerdirect.com there are two sizes: ones with longer heads (height of 8.5mm) and ones with shorter heads (height of 6.5mm).
 
demonikal said:
How do I know what size to get? It looks like on Tigerdirect.com there are two sizes: ones with longer heads (height of 8.5mm) and ones with shorter heads (height of 6.5mm).
Click to expand...

Some chassis manufacturers have been known to use some strange proprietary standoffs, but from personal experience and looking at pictures of the inside of your case I'd say you need #6-32.

It's really strange that your case didn't come with them, that's almost always something they include. It's an $80 case, I really can't see them forgetting to put in some $0.20 jackscrews.

P.S. Make sure to tighten the standoffs to the chassis really well with a nut driver or pliers. They sometimes have a tendency of tweaking the board when you go to remove them if you don't. Also, use only the same amount of standoffs as you have holes in your motherboard; no more, no less!
 
Last edited:
take all the power connectors out then plug them back in again. Also try plugging it into a different socket incase you aren't getting enough power.

Hope I helped :)
 
xMKproductions said:
You should have got standoffs with your case, i had some already fitted into my case had to add 3 more for a larger motherboard.
Click to expand...

Ok, I must be blind. They were in a separate bag that I put inside the box the case came in after I sorted through the screws. Question though...there are 10 silver ones and 2 black ones. The black standoffs look just a tad bigger than the silver standoffs. Threads look the same on the inside.
 
Last edited:
mrgcat said:
take all the power connectors out then plug them back in again. Also try plugging it into a different socket incase you aren't getting enough power.

Hope I helped :)
Click to expand...

You helped a lot. Everyone helped. I'm gonna put on my wireless anti-static wrist strap and go to it as soon as I shut down this computer, so I can try starting it up ASAP. I'll come back with results. Thanks!
 
demonikal said:
Ok, I must be blind. They were in a separate bag that I put inside the box the case came in after I sorted through the screws. Question though...there are 10 silver ones and 2 black ones. The black standoffs look just a tad bigger than the silver standoffs. Threads look the same on the inside.
Click to expand...

The ASUS M4A78T-E is an ATX standard motherboard, and thus requires 9 standoffs to be installed.

I looked around for a good image of the motherboard tray on the Ultra E-Torque, and found the image below in the Modders-inc review.

As you can see, the tray has a recess in it (likely for rigidity). I have marked the proper locations to install the silver standoffs for your motherboard (in GREEN), and purely for your information, the locations where the black standoffs would be used in the event your board was a different form-factor (in RED).

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

-Chris

E-TorqueATXStandoffs.png
 
pants said:
the asus m4a78t-e is an atx standard motherboard, and thus requires 9 standoffs to be installed.

I looked around for a good image of the motherboard tray on the ultra e-torque, and found the image below in the modders-inc review.

As you can see, the tray has a recess in it (likely for rigidity). I have marked the proper locations to install the silver standoffs for your motherboard (in green), and purely for your information, the locations where the black standoffs would be used in the event your board was a different form-factor (in red).

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

-chris

e-torqueatxstandoffs.png
Click to expand...

success!!!
 
Last edited:
Pants said:
Fantastic!

So everything is working well so far?
Click to expand...

Well, it passes POST and recognizes the motherboard and CPU. Didn't hit delete though to go into BIOS. Gonna do that tomorrow. Been up all night for other reasons and I'm bushed. I'll have a clear head tomorrow morning and then I'll go at it. Btw, I didn't need the black standoffs. There were no corresponding holes on the mobo for them. Made sure the rest of the standoffs were good and tight with a 5mm socket and my Snap-on ratchet. Only tightened the screws on the mobo until I felt resistance, not even that really.

Thanks for all the help!
 
Yeah, I know you didn't need them. I just figured I'd let you know what they were for.

Hopefully all goes well tomorrow, be sure and post your progress :)
 
StrangleHold said:
Standoffs can be a wonderful thing. lol
Click to expand...

Well, they are to me now that I realize those littler buggers were the only thing keeping me from powering on my PC successfully, and my first PC build at that. I started this thread on the 7th. That's more than 2 1/2 weeks of people graciously giving me advice on...if it's not the motherboard, it's the power supply...if it's not the power supply, it's the motherboard. Replacing the psu wouldn't have been a huge deal in terms of cost, but of course my being somewhat of a "glass-is-half-empty" kind of guy, I feared for the worst and obviously the most expensive. Thanks to you, I now have a functioning PC and hopefully I can solve all of someone's qualms in the future by asking if they put the standoffs in :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top