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I'm at wits end (and my wit ain't all that long). I'll admit I break computers. That said, I just CAN'T fix mine. I'll explain as best I can.

The computer was starting up for a second and then turning off. I figured it was my fault as I had changed rheobuses. I thought I had narrowed my troubles down to the cpu and mobo. So I bought new ones. I installed the new board and the cpu and for good measure, used a different heatsink. Arctic Silver and all that stuff. I plugged in the PSU and hsf. I put in RAM and videocard. That's all. Same same same. Fan turns for a second and goes off.

Made a trip to CompUSA and bought a new Antec True Power PSU. Same! No change!

OK, the mobo, cpu, psu, hsf (including fan) are all different. Nothing has changed. Nothing works. I checked the connections from the case to the mobo (power SW, hdd lcd, speaker, etc) and they're tightly plugged in. I know if the RAM is not attached securely I should hear a long beep. There's no beep.

What's left? Video card? Bad power blug in case? Bad on/off switch in case? (It's a quality case - Lian-Li).

I really, really, really need some expert help here. I've already made all the lame guesses, don't need any more. Thanks.

did youy check abd make sure the mobo isnt touching the case?

maybe there is a connection somewhere and making it short out


checlk to make sure NO LOSSE SCREWS as they can fall between the things to sjhort it out


just sounds like theres a short somewhere, and thats my best guess

What mobo is it ? Any chance that the bios has a setting to detect the proc fan and it can't detect it ?

I may be no expert, but it sounds like a short to me, because its happened with both motherboards. Try running it on a cardboard box, or in a different case. My only guess is a short.

Good luck!

try the cardboard box trick - just lay the case on its side so you can reach the atx connector - that will rule out a short inthe case - try with cpu/i stick of ram/vid card see if it will post -

make sure you have ps set to 120v
make sure that ps switch is in on position (doh, but i've done that )

make sure that you don't have the power and reset switch wires in the wrong place (did that last week

check the cpu fan issue - what mobo are you using?

if you could get to the bios, you check check for other wierd setting - try resetting the cmos - take the battery out overnight -

let us know how you're doing!

Whooaaa, that's a heck of a way to upgrade. :;

I feel for ya, we've all been there.


Try different ram or in a different slot?

Reset the cmos, as John suggested.

You sure the power connection from the case is plugged in to the correct mobo connector? If so, reverse it. Could also be a bad line from the power switch, or a wire that came loose. That's happened to me before.

And if possible do try another video card. Or reseat the current one.

Good luck. We know this really sux.