new computer build/blank screen/no post

[jimlefferts]

1st time builder here, but have been reading a good deal, and thought I did everything right. The power comes on, but there is nothing that comes up on the monitor (I have used the monitor on other systems with no problems). My question is: How can I isolate the problem so that I don't have to ship back my processor, RAM, motherboard, and videocard, without knowing for certain what the culprit is?

My specs:

Mobo: Abit IS7-E
CPU: Pentium 4 2.6 GHZ w/hyperthreading
RAM: 2 512 MB Kingston 3200 DDR ValueRam
VGA: Radeon 9600 Pro
Case: Aspire X-Dreamer II

I have tried:

Stripping down to just powersupply, VGA, cpu,RAM, and mobo, both in and out of case, with same result.

When a hard drive is plugged in (one that has been tested on other system), I don't hear any whirring.

All Fans come on with no problems.

No noticable problems with CPU, I have reset the RAM/CPU/VideoCard multiple times, and they are in securely.

I have tried clearing the CMOS with no luck.

There are no visible burns or busts on mobo.


And here's the thing that will reveal how much of a novice I am at this:

The motherboard doesn't come with an onboard speaker (I don't think it does), as it has a port on the board where the case speaker is supposed to plug in. I couldn't find anything on the case itself that would plug in (nothing marked speaker, etc), but the case came with a small plastic thing with 2 wires that does fit the speaker port. I am guessing that this is what's called a buzzer? I cannot find any info on these anywhere. Are they just like the speakers and if attached, should I be hearing beeps from the motherboard?

Because there have been 0 beeps from the mobo.

thanks for any help that you can provide, and if you need additional details, I'd be happy to provide them.

-Jim

[jimlefferts]

oh, and I forgot to add:

My old motherboard from my old system isn't compatible with my new video card/processor/RAM, so swapping those components out to test in the other system isn't an option for me. Thanks.

[stroyal]

I can tell you that is what an Abit speaker looks like. It has a small hole in the opposite end as the wires.

The first thing i'd check is the power supply, even if it runs the fans.

[John Prophet]

lol..I had a longggg post typed out showing how to reseat vid card etc and all about resetting bios..then I read your post again.

seems like youve tried most everything...

is there any chance that this is one of the baords that comes with the jumper already on the "reset" position and then you have to move it to "normal" to boot?

The ONLY other thing I can really think of, is if you accidently ordered the 2.6g cpu with the 400mhz bus...cuz it wont boot in this motherboard.

JP


edit--------------

ahhhhh, I do see one thing.....this board has "dip" switches for setting the fsb.......Do you think that could be it?? Id check it out anyway....I bet it is set for 533..and you need 800 dont you? Seems it would still boot at 533 but maybe it messes with the voltage too...worth checking anyway.

[John Prophet]

oh...and also.....does your power supply have the little extra P4 connector on it??? is that hooked to the board also?

[jimlefferts]

thanks for the responses:

John,
I do have the extra connector for the P4 connected as well. And the Pentium 4 that I received is the 800MHZ one, but those were good things to think of checking. As far as setting the FSB goes, I don't have any experience with that, and can't find any info in my motherboard manual on what to look for or how to do that. Is that a simple process?

Stroyal,
Thanks for the info about the speaker. That looks like what I've plugged in there. Should there be a beep coming from it when I power up? How do I go about checking the power supply to see whether or not it's the problem if it does succeed in starting up such things as the fan, LED lights, and such?

Thanks again.