video card suggestions

**Coldfire** · 07-21-2011 05:20 AM

This guide might also be useful:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/findby...conthenoff.htm

**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>

**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

**Khalus** · 07-21-2011 05:44 AM

Originally Posted by ScipioCaesar

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.

Hrm, maybe you got a DOA MB, cause that red light should stay on, indicating the MB has power. No light for the RAM also could mean its dead. Just thinking out loud atm.

As for the RAM slots, with your MB, it would be the 2 slots closest to the CPU that you'd use for dual channel, which you have.

Lastly, if we can't figure this out soon, may I suggest you call a few local mom n' pop PC stores and see if they will look at it for you, may cost ya about $50. It can be difficult to figure these things out if one skilled in PC building is not present to see in person and make sure its correctly built, and what the symptoms are that you may not be aware of.

**Naylia** · 07-21-2011 04:43 AM

Didn't read the thread, but have you tried using just one stick of ram at a time. If one stick is bad (an occasional problem) it could produce the issues you are seeing.

**ScipioCaesar** · 07-21-2011 04:58 AM

Tried the one stick of RAM thing but it didn't take. Thanks for the suggestion though!

**origamikitsune** · 07-21-2011 05:06 AM

Okay, if you have dual or triple channel ram, it may be just that ram is in the wrong slot. If you look at the motherboard check and see if the ram slots have different colors. You might see a pattern like gray, black, grey, black, or gray black white, grey black white. If this is the case, make sure that you have your ram in matching colors. If you do not have separate colors for your ram slots, they are likely in groups of two or three with a small gap, and then another group of two or three.

In that case, double check with your motherboard manual whether or not your ram needs to go right next to each other, or if it goes in separate banks. If the ram IS in the right place, try a different bank (for example, if all your ram is currently in grey colored slots, try putting it all in black colored slots). As always, make sure the ram is properly seated.

If that doesn't fix the problem, don't fret. There are more things we can do to test it and troubleshoot.

**ScipioCaesar** · 07-21-2011 05:20 AM

Tried everything I could with the ram and yeah I've been hitting the clear CMOS button; still no luck. Although, everytime after I've tried to start up if I press the clear cmos button it starts up everything exactly the same as ifI were pressing pwr again, except that hitting power only wrks once.
ANd no number shows up on that digital screen just a C before it goes off

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