No picture when switching PC on. Motherboard broken?

[martits]

Hi. I am building a PC using a motherboard (MSI Rd480 Neo2) but when I boot it up there is no picture.

I have to use a graphics card to connect a VGA cable and have tried booting up with the bare minimum (just RAM, PSU, graphics card) but still nothing. The thing powers up, the CPU fan spins as does the PSU fan. There was also a light present on a LAN card when I plugged that in. No USB ports seem to function although the front power switch does. There is also no beep (I'm not sure if that's normal with this mobo).

 

I've tried:

resetting the cmos

Using different RAM cards (single)

changing the power supply

changing the graphics card

Booting with and without HDD and DVD drive installed.

 

Is there any way of knowing if it is broken? Do I need to install a driver disc or OS disc on boot up or should the BIOS automatically start?

 

Thanks in advance

[Plastic Nev]

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

Is this a new motherboard or one that has been used elsewhere?

Also are you sure the monitor is working, is the power supply connected to it, and it should at least tell you there is no signal when first turned on, can you try it on another computer?

 

Nev.

[martits]

I am using the same monitor I am using to write this message so that is fine. I don't recall there being a 'no signal' message when booting the other computer. Im sure my monitor would do that normally.

 

The mobo is second hand from ebay and came with the graphics card. I installed a AMD FX CPU myself.

[KenB]

There is also no beep

You will only get POST beep(s) if there is an internal speaker connected.

Take a look.

 

If there is an internal speaker and you get no POST beeps then we can conclude that the PSU or motherboard is at fault.

 

Is there a second VGA connection ( on-board ) ?

If so - take the video card out and try this.

 

I installed a AMD FX CPU myself.

Did you need to add thermal paste between the CPU and the heatsink ?

 

Have you checked the CPU seating ?

 

Check the stand-offs ( under the motherboard )

These make sure that the board is insulated from the case.

You could try unscrewing the m/board and sit it on a piece of card / newspaper to insulate it ( to try )

 

If none of the above solves the problem I think that the motherboard may be faulty as you have tried the following too:

Using different RAM cards (single)

changing the power supply

changing the graphics card

[martits]

Sorry for getting back so late. Its been a busy xmas. I really appreciate your help.

There is no VGA port unfortunately and I did use thermal paste on the CPU. The internal speaker was connected but making no sound.

I tried taking the motherboard out onto a piece of card with just a stick of RAM, graphics card and PSU attached. Unfortunately it wouldnt even power on. Did I miss anything out?

[KenB]

Hi

I have been away for a few days too :)

 

Take a look here:

click here

 

If you get no POST after stripping the motherboard down then you can assume that the PSU or m/board is at fault.

There is a link to testing a PSU

 

click here

[martits]

Sorry for the late reply again.

 

I have followed the guide and I get the same result. I also bought a PSU tester and its fine.

 

Im still wondering why the fans are still working. Maybe the CPU is not working as I bought that used.

 

Is there a way of testing a CPU without plugging it into another mobo?

[martits]

OK its gone for good now. I think I found the problem.

 

The guy who sold it to me tried to clear the CMOS jumper and left it in the delete position. I moved it back later but after reading the instructions it says as soon as you boot it in while the jumper is in the delete position just once, it will ruin the mobo. Too late for me to send it back now. Oh well. You live and learn!

 

Thanks for your help.:)

[KenB]

Thanks for the feedback.

I doubt that we would ever have discovered that.

 

Good Luck

 

Did the eBay seller admit to leaving the jumper in the reset position?

If so - you should still be able to get your money back.

eBay have a disputes policy.

[martits]

Unfortunately I bought it over 45 days ago so ebay and paypal dont allow refunds after 45 days. I guess it was my own fault for taking so long about it. :(

[tabbycat1947]

Ebay

 

Hi if i were you I would ask the seller for a refund on the ground of it not being fit for purpose a motherboard should last longer than 45 days so it doesnt matter about ebay protocol. Then if you get nowhere with the seller raise a dispute with Ebay they nearly always come down on the side of the buyer. MY son sold a vintage games console and after 3 months the buyer said it was no longer working and Ebay refunded his money they didnt even stipulate that he should return the machine. So dont give up give it a go.