Testing a bad mobo/CPU/power-supply?

[Tom Metro]

Derek Atkins wrote:
> When I hit the power button the fan doesn't turn on, the
> HDD doesn't spin up (when I have it attached)...  Nothing.

Most motherboards will pass through the power-up signal to the power 
supply even with non-functioning RAM and CPU, so it sounds like you have 
a wiring problem to the power switch, a bad motherboard, or a defective 
power supply. You can pick up a power supply tester for under $20, or 
try swapping it temporarily with another one to rule that out.


> The case doesn't have a bell so I don't know if there's
> something being sent there.

I don't think you're at a point yet where that will matter, but I'd 
recommend scavenging a speaker off of another case for use after you get 
the power issues resolved. Unless your motherboard has a numeric display 
of the POST codes, the beeps will be your only guide to additional problems.

  -Tom

-- 
Tom Metro
Venture Logic, Newton, MA, USA
"Enterprise solutions through open source."
Professional Profile: http://tmetro.venturelogic.com/

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