So I've put it all together...

[Savage13]

...but it doesn't work. It powers up no problem - fans spinning etc, but no display (no bios screen). Also, the 6 'cpu load' LEDs on the motherboard are all lit - I can't understand why this would be.

I've tried replacing the GTX 260 with a much older graphics card - no effect. Does anybody know what's going on??

EDIT - also tried removing one stick, and then both sticks of RAM - also to no effect.

 

[Thresh25]

Your monitor is working and plugged in correctly, right? lol. I know seems basic but little stupid things like that can be all that's wrong.

 

[Savage13]

Your monitor is working and plugged in correctly, right? lol. I know seems basic but little stupid things like that can be all that's wrong.

Hehe, nope, monitor is definitely A-OK.

 

[NightSurge]

Hehe, nope, monitor is definitely A-OK.

Try using the different DVI/VGA slots on the video card. Sometimes only one DVI port will work on the first start-up by default. Also, try each stick individually, and in different slots.

What are your system specs?

 

[Savage13]

Gigabyte P45 socket mobo
Intel Core Duo E8400
4GB OCZ RAM DDR2 800 MHz
EVGA GTX 260 Core 216 55nm
Samsung SpinPoint F1 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache
OCZ ModXStream Pro 600w Silent SLI Ready ATX2 Modular Power Supply


Tried switching RAM around, also tried changing video cable - to no avail.

When I switch the computer on the hard drive LED is permanently on - is this significant?

Thanks for all your suggestions.

 

[Savage13]

Hang up! It lives. Turns out I'd missed the 8-pin power socket at the top of the motherboard. Strange, because the manual said that it was only for use with Extreme processors.

 

[NightSurge]

Hang up! It lives. Turns out I'd missed the 8-pin power socket at the top of the motherboard. Strange, because the manual said that it was only for use with Extreme processors.

The entire 8-pin slot is probably only used for Extreme CPU's, but all CPU's require the 4-pin power connector at least. Glad you found it!