Computer failing to POST

[F1R3STORM]

I've been needing an HTPC for a while, so I decided to build one on the cheap with parts I mostly had.

Parts on hand:
Intel Pentium D
2x 512MB RAM
Intel Heatsink
IDE DVD Burner
20GB SATA HDD

What I bought:
Foxconn case w/ 300W PSU
Foxconn G41M Motherboard

The Problem:
I initially set it all up and NOTHING just the power light and fans, no BIOS or anything of the like. The mobo has VGA,DVI and HDMI... tried them all still nothing, even tried a graphics card, nothing. Disconnected everything aside from the CPU and RAM, same problem... reset CMOS and nothing. Defeated, I RMA'd it to newegg.

Today:
A new motherboard arrived after hooking everything up... same problem. I tried a different PSU... still nothing. My thoughts are it's the CPU as I have tried everything else. I uninstalled the processor a couple of years ago to put in a quad-core and put it right into the old box where it has sat until now. So do I need a new processor or is it something else?

[slaveofconvention]

Have you tried disconnecting both drives? Best way to start troubleshooting anything like this is to have the bare minimum of parts connected - mobo, psu, cpu and 1 stick ram - if that works, then add other bits one at a time till it stops - usually that tells you what the dodgy part is, not always tho. If the puter fails to start when you connect a second memory stick, try that second stick alone for example, to eliminate parts. Bear in mind, connecting a drive, and it then not working will almost always be the drive, but there's always a slim chance its the drive controller on the board or the cable causing the problem

[F1R3STORM]

I've already stripped it down to the bare minimum. It still doesnt work.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

"Foxconn case with PSU" doesn't exactly inspire confidence. It's likely that the PSU's not very good, and might even be faulty. Try another if you have one on hand.

[nevermind1534]

"Foxconn case with PSU" doesn't exactly inspire confidence. It's likely that the PSU's not very good, and might even be faulty. Try another if you have one on hand.


Today:
A new motherboard arrived after hooking everything up... same problem. I tried a different PSU... still nothing.

Did you try only one memory module at a time?

[FuzzyPlushroom]

Did you try only one memory module at a time?

Good call - or even with no memory. If it's bad or incompatible RAM and you take all the RAM out, it should put out the beep code for 'hey, give me some RAM' - if it does, that's the answer.

There's no way the back of the board is shorting against the case? No extra standoffs installed, right? Assuming you haven't laid it all out outside of a case, that is.

[dr.walrus]

Sounds like you've done everything you can to isolate all the components apart from the CPU. If possible, try the components one by one in another system, rather than trying to switch components one by one out of the existing system.

Don't worry too much about cheap cases and PSU's for value systems, I've personally dealt with only marginally more power supply failures of reputable than cheapo brands, namely because if you use a cheap PSU it's because you're putting a very limited load on it anyway.

As for RAM beep codes (usually 2 - 4 short beeps), this should happen even if it's broken, not if it's just not there.

I would lean towards your original conclusion, if you've checked the RAM it's more than likely to be the CPU.

[F1R3STORM]

Yeah, I'm betting on the CPU, I just didn't want it to be true, thanks everyone.

[Luke122]

You can test the mobo without ram or cpu, and see if you get an error beep from that.

[Trace]

I didn't think it would work at all without a CPU, I mean, not even give you any beep codes.