video card suggestions

**origamikitsune** · 07-21-2011 12:01 AM

Okay. Usually when there is an issue like that it something simple. The first thing that comes to mind and the easiest thing to mess up are the little cords going from the power and reset buttons to the motherboard (its actually usually the USB ones that get plugged in backwards, not the power/reset buttons themselves).

These cords are often tiny, poorly labeled, and easy to mix up. Second most common problem in this case, drawing too much power (I doubt this; your power supply was fine). Third (and this is fairly rare) is shorting out so the system is powering down. I'm going to give you some extra steps than are probably needed, just to make the trouble shooting process easier in case it isn't number issue #1

I am curious; does your computer beep at all, and if so, how many times? Is it rapid? Long? Normal sounding? Short and long? Etc.?

I would start as follows:

Unplug to power cords as follows:
...from your video card
...from your harrdrive
...from your DVD drive

Now, turn your computer on like normal. You will probably hear a series of beeps that sound abnormal; these beeps are probably telling you that your harddrive, etc., are unplugged.

If the computer does not turn off on its own, plug the video card in and try again. Then repeat with the CD/DVD, etc., until you find the issue.

If the system still turns off on its own, and it probably will, we want to look at the front-panel cords next. We want to unplug everything -except- the actual power button. Double and triple check the power button is plugged in right. Try again with turning the computer on. If the system turns on you want to one-by-one double check the front-panel cords. Start with the reset button. Then move on to sound if you have it. Then finish with the USB.

From there, plug the GPU back in, then the CD/DVD, then the harddrive. As you do this process the beeps on startup will likely change.

Now, if you get down to only having the power button plugged in and you STILL have issues, pop back on here and let us know. There's still lots we can help you sort out.

If you like, I will also be on g-talk. ewtuthill @ gmail . com and you are welcome to chat with me (just let me know who you are, so I don't ignore you! lol)

**ScipioCaesar** · 07-21-2011 12:36 AM

I don't ever get any beeps no matter what's unplugged. When I turn the power supply on I get the red pwr light on the thingamajig above my gpu, and I get a blue light undr where it says pwr led. Now when I try to start up things light up fans whir for a split second and an orange ight comes on and stays on where it says led and mem_led. Also, when I hit the comp pwr button it only half starts the first time and does nothing on subsequent efforts, I have to turn the pwr supply pwr off then on again before I can get that initial response again. One last thing; where there are four connectors on the mb for pwr led, pwr on, reset, and HD led I only have three connectors, nothing for the pwr led slot. I also dunno where to connect the USB port on the back of the case, I got it on the mb but on the back idk which spot o plug it in

**origamikitsune** · 07-21-2011 12:50 AM

Okay. First, the fact that you have to turn the power off by the switch isn't abnormal. Most modern motherboards are designed to do just that. Normal behavior.

Ok, not having internal USB next to your pwr led, pwr on and reset simplifies things. I'd suggest double checking as I suggest before. Unplug your hard drive, CD/DVD, Video card, etc. Also unplug USB from the motherboard if you have it plugged in. Then try again turning on/off (it probably won't fix anything). If it doesn't fix, unplug your pwr led, reset, and HD led. Double check your pwr on is plugged in right (the cords on my case were actually labeled backwards) and try again. Let us know what happens.

EDIT: Also, the fact that you get absolutely no beeps means we're probably on the right track. Those sounds (called post beeps among other things) don't usually happen if there is a power issue because there is no power to make the beeps (cause the system shuts down like yours).

**ScipioCaesar** · 07-21-2011 01:09 AM

Nothing changing. Although now that orange light from before comes on once I turn the pwr supply pwr switch on and not just after the comp pwr switch. Also I can get the lights and whirs everytime I press the little red clear CMOS button after I've tried starting it once, but still nothing else

**ScipioCaesar** · 07-21-2011 01:21 AM

From what I can see the only thing happening is the fans half-spinning and nothing else, no start up sounds or anything. The orange led 1 led_mem light goes off when I pree the clear CMOS button but for only as long as the button is impressed. Srsly dunno of anything I did wrong putting the thing together I just have no idea

**origamikitsune** · 07-21-2011 01:49 AM

Okay. We're doing fine. I know that it can be overwhelming to have a first build have issues like this; but so far there is nothing to indicate that there is anything wrong that 1.) is permanent or 2.) unfix-able. We're not at the "worry" stage yet.

What I would like you to do is look for any indication of what is going on. We are looking for lights on the mother board since we aren't getting any sounds. Look for any lights that change when you attempt to power up the system, particularly if they blink. If you find anything, reference your motherboard manual and see if the blinking like is giving you an error.

Also, double check your connections. Make sure that everything that is plugged into the motherboard and secure. Double check your ram is seated properly, that your video card is seated properly, etc., etc. Cords form the power supply are secure on the motherboard, etc. Its probably not any of that, but its easy to check and it should be done just in case and is easy to do.

If you can discern any error messages from flashing lights (its okay if you can't, but if you can) let us know what the motherboard manual says about it.

If you cannot, then please give a step-by-step accounting of what happens when. I ask for this so that if I have to leave and someone else steps in to help they can get an easier sense of what is happening. Give us a 1.) I currently have the following plugged in: 2.) I currently have the following unplugged: 3.) I see X light with Y behavior (flashing, solid, etc.) 4.) I press Z button 5.) A happens 6.) B Happens etc., etc.

breaking it down step by step will give use a better sense of what happens than paragraph form. I know it is a hassle, but I think it will help us in the long run.

And don't worry! We'll get you sorted out, Sir! You're in good hands with all the techs here. we live for this sort of stuff!

**Zeno** · 07-21-2011 01:52 AM

Not to derail this thread, but I must say this thread is so helpful on so many levels. I just want to thank those who responded with answers and suggestions. I've been lurking in this thread (lol) for ideas on my next computer build (Novice builder here) and it's so refreshing to see this kind of help. That is all. <ninja poofs out of sight>

**origamikitsune** · 07-21-2011 02:02 AM

Also, what make/model of motherboard did you end up getting? That way I can look up the manual and get a visual to make sure everything is covered.

**Khalus** · 07-21-2011 02:26 AM

Here is the system he bought:

And I'm looking it over to see if I can find something. My first thought though is to check your MB power button. The red one at the bottom of the MB. {is it staying on when you turn the PSU on?} If not, then it may be depressed as off and would be preventing everything from powering on, though are the lights you said that are coming on, 'staying on' or is it all powering down shortly after?

"One last thing; where there are four connectors on the mb for pwr led, pwr on, reset, and HD led I only have three connectors, nothing for the pwr led slot."

Thats fine...its how mine is and we have similar MBs...just make sure they're plugged in correctly.

"and an orange ight comes on and stays on where it says led and mem_led."

Where is this light located on the MB...trying to find it in the image.

**ScipioCaesar** · 07-21-2011 04:39 AM

Sorry been at work so couldn't respond. Here's what I've got figured out...

When I turn the psu on, the blue light indicating standby mode and orange/yellow light indicating the system are powered on come on and stay on.

The green light indicating DIMM LED, the memory slot does NOT come on, and when turning the pwr switch it flashes briefly and then turns off entirely.

The red power button only turns red briefly when I press it for start up but then fails Luke everythng else;also when i turn the psu on it's middle flashes green.

Also there is a red power light that comes and stays on with the psu switch just above my gpu everytime.

So I'm guessing this is a memory problem. Is my HD installed incorrectly possibly? I checked the ram and both sticks are installed just fine

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