New mobo install, no display on 1st power up HELP!

C

calpolyarc

New Member
I'm a mobo newbie, I just replaced my mobo with an almost duplicate model (replaced ASUS P4C800 Deluxe for P4C800 E Deluxe). I took pics of the original setup so I could do it the same, I followed the instructions in the manual and when I powered up for the first time I get the green LED, all fans are spinning I just get no display on my monitors, which are hooked up to an ATI graphics card in the AGP slot. Any ideas? Thank you very much for your time.
 
First off, be sure nothing is being shorted out. Basically, be sure no cables are exposed and grounded on the case and that the mobo is held up on standoffs(it CANNOT be directly connected to the case.

Be sure everything is inserted completely. Check your ram's seated correctly.

If it still won't work after checking this, I'd start tearing the machine down and building it with just the basics(RAM, processor, and video) No drives or expansion cards if you have any...
 
Ok, did all that, no cables are touching the case, the mobo is on standoffs, RAM & video card are seated correctly. I unplugged the DVD drive and HD and I don't have any expansion cards... still no display, no error beeps, nothing.
 
Stoopid question time-- does the motherboard have integrated graphics? If so, then plug into the motherboard's video port first, go into the BIOS and tell it to look for an add-in video card, save settings and turn off. Then put the monitor back on the card and boot up.

Otherwise, did you use the little red washers between the motherboard and the metal standoffs?

Did you check the processor and ensure it is seated correctly?
 
stoopid questions are good... I'm just a newbie. As suggested by ASUS, I took the mobo back out of the case and only plugged in the power supply and speakers input. I took everything else out, even the CPU & RAM. Then I powered up and heard the loud obnoxious 'no cpu insgalled', ok good, I'm getting somewhere. Now I put the cpu back in and turn it on, expecting to hear 'failed memory test'.... but I don't, just silence again like before. So does this mean I have a busted cpu??? Thanks.

When I originally took the the cpu & heat sink out I scraped off all the gray crud that was between them, did that destroy the cpu?? Did my stooooopid fingernail just cost me a couple hundred bucks!!!
 
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:eek: Uh, yeah, your CPU is mostly likely toast... literally.

That grey crud was there to provide a good heat-transfer between the processor and its heat sink. Either it was a thermal paste or a special plastic pad. Either way, removing it without putting something in its place probably resulted in you having quite a bit of air between the cpu and heatsink and the cpu would have overheated in no time.
 
I went to a computer repair/supply store to get my cpu checked and the guy said it was fine, whew!! Sorta stuck on what to do now though... will call ASUS again in the morning I guess.
 
Did he just look at the CPU or did the guy test it? I had the same problem with my CPU, it was busted but it looked brand new. If you can, try putting it in a different machine. If you can, put the CPU back in the old motherboard and test it out.
 
Thanks for the reassurance guys! As gamerman4 suggested, I put the cpu back in the old mobo (duh!) and it worked! So in the old mobo with just the cpu, speakers and psu plugged in I get the 'system failed memory test'. BUT in the NEW mobo with the same stuff plugged in I don't get anything! So it's gotta be something with the mobo.

I just called ASUS, the tech said that the mobo probably doesn't have an updated 'bios chip', and therefore isn't compatible with my cpu yet. I've never heard of this before, does this seem logical to you gurus?? <- Looking for more reassurance ;) Thanks.
 
They sent me this mobo as an RMA, why don't they just send out mobo's with the latest BIOS!?!? This is rediculous! My computer is my work and this is costing me hundreds of dollars in lost time, now I have to wait a few more days for one dinky little chip?!?!
 
If I had a CPU that is compatible with the old BIOS chip, could I pass POST with that, then update the BIOS myself, and then swap my P4 3.0 CPU back in??? I assume that's essentially what the BIOS chip is, the storage place for the BIOS?? Thanks.
 
Forget it... called ASUS tech again to try and get an answer to my question and he said the other tech's are wrong, there's nothing wrong with the BIOS chip, so yet again I have to send the mobo back for another RMA. Needless to say I'm not pleased with ASUS at the moment.
 
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