Building a new PC... troubleshooting hell

[Mykozo]

Is there a large LED on the mobo itself? This will at least indicate that the power supply isn't shot, or that you aren't shorting the mobo somewhere. Have the mobo model handy?

Follow my suggestion about firing up the mobo out of the case. Just lay it on a flat non-conductive surface, lay the power supply next to it and plug it into the mobo and your primary drive. Essentially just hook the thing up as you would inside the case, but not inside the case No juice and you'll then know if it's the mobo. Have you also tried that video card in a dif comp?

[Frogacuda]

Have you also tried that video card in a dif comp?

No, but that's a secondary concern right now, since it won't even power up without the card in it.

And it's not the PSU, because we tried another one.

[Mykozo]

Plz try post #31. If you still get nothing, no drives spooling up, no leds, then the mobo is shot. Oh, grab a known working stick of ram try swapping out also, but your mobo will still power up if your ram is bad.

[Frogacuda]

how do I turn it on without the case?

[johnk_]

probably by shorting the 2 pins on the mobo where you plug the case's power button cable.... but only short it until it turns on.. too long and it'll probably turn off.

(and also make sure the PSU is switched on)

[Razor Ramon]

Put the mobo right next to the case. It's what I did and it ran fine...except the video but that's another thing.

[Frogacuda]

Tried running it out of the case. Nothing. Tried another PSU, likewise nothing. Seems the mobo is shot or something.

[Mykozo]

Beat.

[johnk_]

mobo = pwned.