Replies to post #15632 on Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[CombJelly]

I had a similar problem a couple of weeks ago. The system was completely dead. I started swapping parts around until finally I replaced the video card. My ATI AIW Radeon had given up the ghost. Doesn't sound like this is your problem though...

It could still be your power supply. The motherboard is powered from the 3.3 volt line, but the drives use the +5 (for the logic) and +12 (for the motors). Does the motherboard have a power LED? That should be on. You should be able to get at least some beeps with just a PS, motherboard, processor 9with heatsink of course) and a speaker. If that works, adding memory should get a different pattern of beeps. And then add the video card and monitor and see if that comes up, etc. I usually find it to be a mistake to fully assemble the system and hope it works, I almost always wind up doing things in a stepwise fashion, even if I didn't start that way...

Having another working system that you can swap parts with in an invaluable resource. However, convincing your girlfriend might not be possible.

[CombJelly]

StocksR4Me has a good point, be sure that the CMOS jumper is set properly. I've gotten motherboards that have had this jumper set and it just won't boot this way, I've tried repeatly. Now most of the manuals warn that powering up a board with the jumper set to "Discharge" will damage the motherboard, thankfully this doesn't seem to usually be the case. YMMV. The motherboard can get into some wonky states that makes it seem as if it is dead. Sometimes discharging the CMOS is just the trick.

Starting with the motherboard out of the case and shorting the 'on' button jumper is very important. If the reset button is stuck down, it won't boot. If the power button is stuck down, it'll boot but then shuts down partway through the boot up cycle. Best to minimize these possibilities.