First time Builder, first boot problem

[Lobolebowski]

Hello all, thanks in advance for any help you might give me here. As I stated, I am a first time builder.

Here is the hardware

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697

ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131646

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMX8GX3M2A1333C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161315

Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Now...

I am to the first boot. What I get is all the fans run (two case fans, heatsink, front fan with LED). No video signal, no beeps.

If I remove the RAM, I get one long beep and two short beeps. (signals that no RAM is detected).

Is this a RAM issue? It seems to me that the RAM is compatible. I have tried clearing the CMOS. I have also tried the "mem OK" button, but that just flashes for hours on end.

Could there be another issue tied to this? or is it primarily a RAM issue?

Thanks,

Lobo

[RickyTick]

You can't remove all the ram. Leave one stick installed and see what happens.

[Lobolebowski]

Alright,

If I leave the RAM in, What I get is all the fans run (two case fans, heatsink, front fan with LED). No video signal, no beeps.

I have tried both sticks of RAM, One stick of RAM in each slot. Each stick of RAM in every slot by itself.

Is there any way this is a processor or motherboard problem?

This is what I get from Corsair customer support

From Message Context Sent On
Technical Support Hi Lobo,
There is probably a bad stick on that kit. have you tried booting up with one stick at the time? this will isolate if you really have a bad module indeed. If one of them didn't boot up then let's get the kit replaced. If both sticks didn't boot with one stick at the time, that would normally suggest a different component is causing the issue. 4/13/2011 7:13:40 PM

[zburns]

Hi Lobolebowski -- sorry to hear your problem continues and I hope this post can help.

Several comments -- all separate possible causes of your problem. Your problem will 'most likely be from only one cause' not multiple causes.

According to you, no video has been seen since you tried 'first boot'. This could mean your cpu is not functioning. On the motherboard, very close to the cpu, there will be a socket with at least 4 pins or 8 pins (not sure whether six pins are possible) but my point is that there is a 4 or 8 pin socket very close to the cpu. That being the case, a cable from the power supply with a matching connector must be plugged into the 'referenced mobo socket' close to or next to the cpu -- this in order for the cpu to operate. It is the +12 volt supply from the PSU.

Next, I need to ask if you absolutely used a static control wrist strap at all times doing the build, but particularly anytime you handled the RAM. Static discharge will destroy or severly disable integrated circuit components in microseconds and you never know it happened. If you failed to use a wrist strap in handling the RAM, both of the RAM sticks could be damaged -- the only way to know their condition right now is to put them into a working computer, one at a time, and see if the working computer functions with your RAM.

It is possible for your Power Supply to be defective. If that were so, and it is a name brand manufacturer such as Antec, Corsair, etc. and it clearly was in its original packing, the assumption would have to be that it was in working order when you unpacked it. You have a Corsair PSU so it is probably ok.

I do not see a video card in your list. Unless the mobo has onboard video, you must have a video card or you see 'black', but you know this. Still you could have a bad video card, but we have rarely seen that; I cannot even remember a build with a damaged video card; but it is possible.

So RAM or CPU with no power supply to it (as stated above).

EDIT: Your link for RAM brings up a video card so I assume that clears up the video card question. Also, the motherboard psu +12 volt connector (8 pin) is about 2 inches plus going 45 degrees diagonal from upper right corner of mobo cpu socket -- from newegg picture of mobo enlarged.

EDIT 5:36pm today, to correct earlier wording error: Sentance above ". .. . . . upper left corner . . . " not the right corner. As you face the mobo in its installed position, +12volt socket is up and to the left of the cpu socket.

[Lobolebowski]

Ok. Here is the proper Link to my RAM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145315

I use an anti static wrist band as well as touching the surface of my metal table at all times.

The 8-Pin power cable is connected as well as the 24 pin.

The video card is not installed, I have onboard video on the Mobo, so I was going to install the video card after I installed Windows.

The Power supply is functional. I tested it on another PC.

I cannot test the RAM because I do not have another PC that uses DDR3.

All signs lead me to the processor. I have filed an RMA and the Processor will be on it's way back to Newegg. The box was dented when I received it but the processor seemed OK on visual inspection. Maybe it was not.

It's just weird. I have taken apart a live computer and replaced each of these components individually. So I was really not expecting to come across this problem.

Thank you for the answer and suggestions
-Lobo

[zburns]

I do not know how to ask my question so I will just jump right in. You must take more precautions against static than just a wrist strap if you use a metal table. Is the table just sitting on a wood floor or is the floor concrete? Is the table surface grounded to an electrical ground in any way?

I have more questions but I am not going to ask them right now. Just answer the few questions I asked, if you do not mind. I need to know the 'environment surrounding the table' to pick a starting point. VERY IMPORTANT: Please do not change anything you are doing based on these questions. Talking about electricity is dangerous conversation and I really mean it!

[Lobolebowski]

ok. Maybe I misspoke a bit there.

This is the type of table I use.

http://www.officemax.com/office-furniture/tables/folding-tables/product-prod2980363

Particle board with finish top. Metal rails all along the edge and underside. It is sitting on carpet.

I use the anti static wristband, touch a rail on the table and always touch the metal case before I play in the components.

I have no special grounds set up. I wear rubber soled shoes when working on PC's. (not sure if it makes a difference, but I like to wear shoes anyways).

As I said, I have used this setup doing countless PC component swaps (including RAM, Mobo and processor). Have I been playing russian roulette with static with this type of setup?

[RickyTick]

Are you able to get into the BIOS at all?
Go ahead and try it with the video card installed. You got nothing to loose.

[Lobolebowski]

I was not able to get in the bios with the video card installed.

Here is a message I got from Corsair tech support.

"Technical Support If you've tried each stick and you got the same problem then this would normally suggest a different component is causing the issue, probably a bad Dimm slots or maybe a bent pin on the CPU. It's just next to impossible to have both sticks go bad at the same time. Thanks"

Once again the trail has led me back to the CPU. I have sent it back to newegg with an RMA as the box was dented on the chip side when I received it. Gonna have to wait and see the outcome of this.

[RickyTick]

ok, replace the cpu, and go from there. Hopefully this will eliminate the problem.

[zburns]

Hey Lobo, Your table is the same as the type I use and, as many others would use. Please go to this link on anti static control and read the entire page: http://www.kitchentablecomputers.com/static.php It is another computer website, but this page is good advice (as far as it goes) on static control, mostly generic language -- but read the bottom part of the page about CRT monitors where the writer tells you about the LETHAL dangers of working around electricity.

Here are two links related to the danger of electricity when working around it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_shock (this is about electric shock) and this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_electricity (about static electricity).

A Note to all Computer Builders: Building a computer is a lot of fun, educational and one gains a lot of computer experience and knowledge. There is a electrical safety issue in building one -- as long as the power cord to the computer case is never plugged into the computer case while you work on or near the computer case, you should be safe.

In fact, your work table should have no live electrical cord anywhere near the computer work table. You use severe precautions - no live electical cords - in order to avoid a 'mental mistake' that can cause harm.

My comment on the CRT Monitor reference in the first sentence: CRT monitors are still in use to some degree. The writer of the 'kitchentablecomputer' link puts out a 'lethal warning' -- you can 'die' wearing a wrist strap and working on a CRT monitor. -- this just shows how easy it is to 'screw up' around electricity and put yourself or someone in 'lethal danger'.

[Lobolebowski]

Thank you for the help.

any advice about the static setup?

[Lobolebowski]

To update. Thank you for the help, first off.

Second, the new CPU came in the mail today. I am currently installing Windows 7.