One of my family is going for a trip to Hong Kong, and they would be able to get some new parts for my non-working computer, to get it running...

Anyway, I've worked out a build (first stage of three), and it would be good if I could hear some views on what to change/not to change,etc.

CPU: Same, until stage 2 - Intel Pentium D 805
GPU: Same until stage 2 - Nvidia Geforce 7800 GTX 512
RAM: Same until Stage 2 - Geil 2GB DDR2 SDRAM
MB: Gigabyte GA-P35-DQ6
HDD: 1TB 7200rpm (a Seagate or Western Digital one)
PSU: Antec Signature 650W

It's looking to be a sweet build process (from stage one to stage three)

Hi,

New HD is fine.There is never enough space.
Buying new PSU for future upgrade is fine as well but I lack the point buying it now if this will not give you any benefit. The pricing will go down for sure when you will be builduing the next stages.The same with MB. Why to change it if the existing is working?

When you will build the new stages there might be possibilities to use totally different system (AMD) or totally different socket with same vendor(Intel). I dont think it would really wise to invest money for the MB replacement now.

Sorry if it wasn't clear, but the computer I was upgrading is not working, either because of the PSU or MB, i.e. the computer doesn't turn on.

Thanks for your input.

And cant you just try to fixing it without buying directly new MB first?
How it happend that it stopped working suddenly?

Mayzbe we can help you without need to buy new parts.

If anyone could help, that would be great.

However, I'm not quite sure how it stopped working.

One day, in June or May, it just wouldn't turn on. I tried pressing the power and reset button repeatedly, but to no avail, and also turning the PSU switch on and off, and pressing the power button.

After that, I opened up the case, of course taking the main plug out of the PSU from the power socket in the wall, and tried another plug somewhere else in my house.

No luck again. So I tried taking out the power/reset button leads out of the jumpers and using a pen tip to short circuit the jumpers. Again, no signs of life.

So I took the plug out and left the computer unconnected since then.

I haven't tried connecting the main plug again now to see if it powers up.

There's no LED's on the MB, so I don't know what is to fault.

The MB's certainly not shot, as it was absolutely fine from before that day when it started not working.

Try borrowing a PSU from some friend to check if it's PSU's or MB's fault.

I would, but none of my friends or anyone I know have anything above 320W, and my current non-working one requires at least 360W or more.

The PSU in question was a 480W Antec one, and the MB may be a few years old at least.

EDIT: I thought, since my build was pretty outdated anyway, it was time for an upgrade, and also I could replace both of the PSU and MB if either or both were at fault. Plus, Hong Kong prices should be cheap compared to here in Australia.

Oh and that family member left on the flight today...

It can be memory or CPU as well.Just try following to start with:

Unplug everything and then just connect the motherboard 20/24 pin and 12V 4pin for the CPU. No need to plug the harddrive, CD rom, memory or anything else including the graphic card.

Then try to power the system again. Does the CPU cooler is running at least?

Maybe we can rule out something.
Its hard over the forum but sometimes with luck its possible to find out the issue.

Thanks, I didn't try that before. I'll get right on it..

Lick the PSU, see if it hurts.

On a serious note, have any caps burst or are there any other signs of damage on the mobo?

There's no apparent signs of damage on the MB.

Although my Dad vacuums the case without the internals inside, and he opened up the PSU to check if its damaged or repairable, (he an electrical engineer), I'm not sure if that has had any negative effects.

He's currently in Hong Kong on a business trip for his company, (something with traffic systems), and he's able to get an new PSU and MB for a lot cheaper than getting the same here in Australia.

Antec TPN550 and Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR sound good...

as devil said,

disconnect everything.
remove everything.
memory, cables, cards, hard drives, usb ports, fans, whatever.

put the cpu in the socket. put the cpu heatsink. plug the cpu fan.
plug the psu on the motherboard
plug the cpu power.
plug the psu on the wall socket.
turn on the psu (if at this point the psu starts on its own, it most probably means that your mobo is dead.)

short the PWR pins of the motherboard.

if i forget something, please correct me. i think i got it all.


warning: this is from memory so better check it yourself if these are the correct cables!!!
if you are feeling adventurous, there is a way to test the psu. you short the green cable with one of the black ones. if it starts, your psu might be ok.

remember: if something bad happens to you, it's not my fault. (sorry)

(Sorry mods for replying to the dormant thread)

By the time I had gone to try that, (as I had so much things to do that got in the way), my family member came back from HK with the parts;

* Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR
* Seagate 7200rpm 1TB SATA HDD
* Antec True Power New 550W

And so today, I transferred all the CPU, old HDD, RAM, and GPU to my new MB, and it completed POST!

I had to fiddle a bit with changing HDD priority, and install the chipset drivers, as well as partition my 1TB to two 500GB twins, (named Chuck and Norris respectively).

And also I have a question; should I have routed the power supply's cables behind the MB mount like I did to maximise airflow, or should I have left it as a mess of cables?

Now it's all good, and I saw the CPU got a little boost; from 2.67 Ghz to 2.7 Ghz.

I'm thinking of where the bottleneck of my system is now, for the upgrades planned for Stage 2:

CPU/GPU wise I think I have to change.

CPU: Intel Pentium D 805 (slightly boosted to 2.7ghz by something either in new MB or PSU)
GPU: Nvidia GeForce 7800 GTX 512 (I know its old. But since my last card a 6600GT, its still a good card)

Any suggestions for the change in these areas? The upgrades would be bought in awhile, probably near my birthday this month..