This is my first build, I have a Biostar A760G and a AMD Sempron. Now my question is how can i tell if my motherboard is working i have it connected to a monitor but get nothing on it.  The rear fan and CPU fan work, I also have a flashdrive connected to a usb port.

Flash drive has status light when workin but shows nothing as well.

Thank You

Juan

I'm new at this type of hardware but I would think at startup you will see some info on the screen.

I have the same MB and it worked first time.

It's probably a safe bet that if you see nothing It ain't working, except there may be one other thing.

I'm not sure but somewhere I saw if you are plugged into the DVI port some monitors may not work due there being a DVI and a DVI-D incompatablity.

We need a LOT more information before we can really offer you any help.  So far we have:

• The fans are spinning
  
• Your flash drive is plugged in, but doesn't show any activity
  
• It is connected to a monitor
  

 

What we still need to know:

• Does the computer make any beeping noises when you start up?  If so, how many?
  
• Are you confident that the monitor works?
  
• How is the monitor hooked up?  DVI (white port), or VGA (blue port)?
  
• Is the monitor set to the correct input? It should be 'Digital' if you are using DVI, or 'Analog' if you are using VGA.
  
• Are you confident in your wiring?  Is everything plugged in to the right place?  It is a good sign that the fans are spinning, but there could still be a wiring issue.
  
• Are you confident that you have installed the CPU correct?
  

 

Answer these questions, then I'll ask some more.

What kind of power supply are you using. The newer boards require an additional 4-pin plug for the 12V - it is near the top left corner of the board (where the mouse and keyboard connectors are located). Has this been connected?

 

im using the corsair 400cx, and yes the four pin connector is plugged in.

monitor does work. its vga, i am using it from another computer just to get the ip address.

i rechecked my wiring and everything looks good.

and at start up i get no beeps, but i did a search and on the biostar website i found a troubleshooting list with steps

one of these steps says to remove the memory and i should get beeps at start up and i do. this steps blames the memory.

talked to new egg and im getting a replacement sent.

also found out i cant check cpu with out memory, so i wont be able to test until it arrives

 

i just went with 1G for memory, will memory speed have anything to do with my problem. according to specs the motherboard does support it.

 

any other things i can check in the meantime?

 

 

Yes, the memory speed can contribute to your problem.  Your motherboard (I'm using the same one) automatically detects and sets the timing and voltage for your RAM.  On my setup, it worked - I didn't have to set anything manually.  Before sending your RAM back, I would suggest booting into BIOS and setting the RAM timing and voltage manually (check the RAM manufacturer's website to find the correct settings).

 

However, if the computer continues not to boot with the RAM plugged in (meaning nothing shows up on the screen), then you won't be able to try that.  In that case, you will have to send the RAM back before you can try anything else.

 

It is good that you get beeps when you attempt to boot without RAM - this indicates that the motherboard is likely good.

 

Do you have any other RAM laying around that you could use for testing purposes?

 

Also, can you post a link to the exact RAM you are using?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146524

 

i dont have any other RAM, my other computer uses ddr so its incompatible.

 

newegg is sending me the new memory, with out return of the one i have. which i thought was nice of them. so it should be here sometime next week.

 

only thing i fault is either the RAM or CPU, but i wont be able to do any more testing till the new RAM gets here.

The CPU is a good thought, since usually the motherboard recognizes bad RAM and beeps at you accordingly.  I can't remember if a bad CPU elicits beeps too - if memory serves, it doesn't.

 

While you are waiting for the new RAM, you could also try reseating the CPU (meaning unplug/eject/uninstall it, then install it again).  Careful not to mess up the thermal paste too much, and that can be tricky.

 

Also, I ask this only because it is a mistake I have made more times than I care to admit:

Did you remove the plastic shield that protects the CPU heatsink/fan's thermal compound before installing the it?  Leaving it on can cause the CPU to overheat, which can in some cases cause your symptoms (though usually the computer will just shut down immediately, meaning the fans should stop spinning).

 

All I can really do is take wild stabs in the dark, at least until you get that new RAM.

 

It definitely was nice of Newegg to cross ship the RAM to you.  Mention that in a comment on their site.

The CPU is a good thought, since usually the motherboard recognizes bad RAM and beeps at you accordingly.  I can't remember if a bad CPU elicits beeps too - if memory serves, it doesn't.

 

While you are waiting for the new RAM, you could also try reseating the CPU (meaning unplug/eject/uninstall it, then install it again).  Careful not to mess up the thermal paste too much, and that can be tricky.

 

Also, I ask this only because it is a mistake I have made more times than I care to admit:

Did you remove the plastic shield that protects the CPU heatsink/fan's thermal compound before installing the it?  Leaving it on can cause the CPU to overheat, which can in some cases cause your symptoms (though usually the computer will just shut down immediately, meaning the fans should stop spinning).

 

All I can really do is take wild stabs in the dark, at least until you get that new RAM.

 

It definitely was nice of Newegg to cross ship the RAM to you.  Mention that in a comment on their site.

Also, depending on the RAM, and how many RAM strips you are installing, you might need to use specific sockets.

You can also try just one ram strip, and then just the other.  (in case only one is defective)

 

Joe L.

http://www.biostar-usa.com/knowledgespec.asp?faqid=99993

 

these are the steps i followed, itz the same advice you guys have given me.

 

on number 3, i wasn't so sure so where itz at so i didn't do it. and since everyone here using this board hasn't had problems i just skipped it.

I did 7 but can't recheck 6 till the new RAM gets here.

 

Crucial ram is pretty good ram, not that you can't get a bad stick.

I think most of us are using the DDR2 800 ram and not the DDR2 667. Don't really know if it matters.

 

Make sure the RAM is seated correctly. The tabs on the ends  should lock it in on the top if it is all the way down.

Ok here's the update, I got the new RAM. I installed it and i got the same thing. No image on monitor, fans are working.

Same as before.

Anyone got any suggestions on what to do next?

Any test I can do to check the CPU or even the motherboard?

Thanks

Hmm, bummer.  Have you tried reseating the CPU?  There is no 'test' that I know of to test the CPU and motherboard, apart from simply replacing each part (one at a time).  I'm assuming you don't have a spare CPU and motherboard, though.

 

Have you tried the RAM in every single socket?  You can also try manually setting the RAM's timing and voltage.

Tried booting with individual sticks of RAM, and I get the same thing.

I even tried using a different newer monitor, since mine is older. Just to ckeck if it was that.

And yes i have tried reseating the CPU, and I have no spare parts.

One question I do have is, that I just noticed the PSU has a six pin connector. I have the 24 pin and the small 4 pin connected, but could not find a spot for the 6 pin. That doesn't go connected right?

You can also try manually setting the RAM's timing and voltage.

How?  Can't get to BIOS.  No image on monitor.  Can we do it with a small hammer?

 

 

But of course, I keep forgetting.  My bad.  A lot of things are possible with a small hammer, but this is not one of them.

 

Tried booting with individual sticks of RAM, and I get the same thing.

I even tried using a different newer monitor, since mine is older. Just to ckeck if it was that.

And yes i have tried reseating the CPU, and I have no spare parts.

One question I do have is, that I just noticed the PSU has a six pin connector. I have the 24 pin and the small 4 pin connected, but could not find a spot for the 6 pin. That doesn't go connected right?

I'm pretty sure that the 6 pin connector is for a PCIe card (usually a powerful video card that needs its own power directly from the PSU).  I've seen mobo's that require an 8 pin (2 x 4pin) power connector, but never a 6 pin.

 

I'm definitely getting a bit stumped here.  Here's the next things I would try, though all of them require spending a bit of money:

• Buy a cheap ($10 PCI-based is fine) video card to see if you can get any video out from that
  
• Replace the PSU
  
• Replace the CPU
  
• Replace the Mobo
  

 

OK, you don't have any spare parts.  Any chance you have a REALLY good friend or family member who would allow you to dismantle their computer?  If so, you can use their known working components to individually troubleshoot your own.  This will only work if their components are compatible with yours, of course (DDR2 RAM, same CPU socket, etc.).  This is a long shot, I know, but it is pretty much the only way to proceed without spending more money.

 

You have at least narrowed it down to the CPU and/or the motherboard at this point.  However, it is pretty damn difficult to identify which one it is without just buying a new component to replace the suspected bad one.  I would recommend buying the CPU first, since it is cheaper, but it is equally likely that the mobo is the culprit.  Therefore, you may want to just buy both at once and plan on reselling whichever one isn't the problem.

Check the CPU fan is plugged into the CPU_fan header. Without this the MB will not power on. If it is in another fan header it'll spin but the system wont power up.

 

Double check the PSU 4 pin header is pushed all the way in. This supplies the CPU voltage rails and wont power on without this being properly seated.

 

Make sure the clear CMOS jumper is not in the clear cmos position. Most motherboards won't power on with that jumper in the wrong position.

 

The 6 pin PSU cable is for a PCIe card that requires additional power. 

 

Do you have a speaker connected to the MB? A lot of modern cases dont have speakers, it could be talking to you but without a speaker connected you wont hear anything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good point.  You may need to install your own motherboard speaker if the case doesn't have one built in.

Well I finally found out what was wrong. I ordered another MB and CPU, from Directron and paid for testing. I got the parts in today, CPU was already installed all i did was install the CPU cooler.

Took out the old MB and installed it and turned it on. Instant boot into unRAID.

Then I did some part swaping and found the first MB to not work.

Now newegg is sending me a replacement MB, and a shipping label to return the faulty one. Now how nice is that.

Great news!  Sorry you had to go through so much trouble to figure it out.  So are you now stuck with the extra parts, or can you return them?

I'm just gonna keep em. Maybe build another server, not sure yet. How would this combo work as a HTPC? Or I might just build a PC to replace my older one. All I need is a PSU and case I already got a Blu-ray drive.

Maybe even as my ripping and converting PC using HandBrake. I'm still trying to decide. I'm open to ideas? lol

 

The Biostar 760G and Sempron 140 will work well as a HTPC.  SD, no problem.  720p, likely with a little help from CoreAVC.  1080p, unlikely without a separate video card.

 

They will also work as a DVD/BD ripping machine, but it won't be very fast.  Ripping is very CPU intensive, and the Sempron 140 doesn't pack a lot of punch.  If you are ripping overnight, then you may not care.

 

What are the specs of your new MB and CPU (from Directron)?

It's the same MB and CPU.

Actually that's what I do now, my windows machine does all the ripping and encoding. My main comp is a Mac.

So I might just replace the windows machine since its almost 10 years old.

Sounds like a plan.  I'm sure the new hardware is much faster than a 10 year old computer.