fresh built computer stopped working after 3 days, help?

Question

I just finished building my computer the other day. I've had it off for a majority of that time and when it was on it was simply to explore the capabilities of the build and to acquire software updates for Windows7(64-bit).

There were no periods in which the computer hinted at a failure or anything. At the moment of failure I had on installing Mass Effect 2, streaming a video, and activating its windows7 key. Then all of a sudden it shut off with no warning or messages and I'm sitting at my desk with headphones on with a static like noise fading away, a black computer screen, and a computer with no power.

After sitting around for a few moments, I go attempt to start the computer again. The lights of the fans flicker for a mere moment and nothing happens. I open the case and check if all my connections are correct, they are correct. I try to start the computer again, this time one of the fans shiver once. Note: the on light on the motherboard is on and green.

I'm fortunate enough to have access to a second power supply. I dropped that in and nothing happens.

And here I am with no clue as to what happened and about 400$ worth of incompetent computer parts(listed below).

Motherboard: ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131406

Processor: AMD Athlon II X4 635 Propus 2.9GHz 4 x 512KB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103702

Ram: A-DATA Gaming Series 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211450

Graphics: none/integrated

PSU: Antec Basiq BP500U 500W Continuous Power ATX12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371004

Case: APEVIA X-DREAMER3-BL Black / Blue metal ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144251

I'd like to know what happened as well as what I can do to salvage my situation(specifically as far the parts go).

(it may be important to know that my neighborhood has been having occasional black outs. However, at the time of my computer going out the power for the house was running just fine with no flicker in the lights.)

Answer 1

Make sure your cpu cooler is seated tightly on the cpu with the proper amount of thermal paste applied...I had that happen once with the push pins as they were not all tightened down to the board properly....The heat sink was not making full contact with the cpu...It was enough to start it up,but it would shut down to protect the cpu from heat damage in a matter of seconds...



Make sure your ram is seated properly,also try using 1 stick at a time to test all the slots and all the sticks of ram you may have to rule out bad memory....



If not that it sounds like a faulty motherboard...You could rule out the power supply if you have a multimeter(back probing) to make sure its getting proper voltages to the board....You have to set the motherboard on card board out side of the case with the cpu,heat sink and a stick of ram and have the psu plugged into the motherboard...Use the cables from the case to power it up and shut it down... Check the 20+4 power connector and the 4or 8 pin power connector for the cpu...



Here is a good guide on how to check it with a multimeter.....

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-1056686.html





Scott

Answer 2

Try removing and reseating the memory - it may have vibrated loose. If you have multiple memory modules, try them one at a time in the first DIMM slot.



If that's not it, I'd suspect a motherboard failure. It's not easy to prove that without having several spare parts handy, however.

Answer 3

Yes go to Dell's website, then go to downloads and drivers. Put in your service TAG, then find the webcam software/drivers and reinstall them. If you have problems doing that, Dell support, or a Dell forum should be able to help better than here.