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Question

Silence and darkness at boot up?

Jan 5, 2014 2:03AM PST

Greetings,

I am trying to finish up an install that I started some months ago. The motherboard is a MSI MS-7641 ver 3.0

When I power up, the fans come on, but no video, no beep.

What to try? Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Lack of details.
Jan 5, 2014 2:14AM PST

Such as machine OS etc.

Dafydd.

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No O/S installed yet
Jan 5, 2014 2:40AM PST

And no peripherals yet, just trying to get it to boot up.

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Booting means loading an OS
Jan 5, 2014 2:44AM PST

Try booting from a CD or DVD. It's like cranking a car. If you don't have a car, you can't start the engine.

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How about a live Linux cd.
Jan 5, 2014 2:48AM PST

Dafydd.

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Still confused as to what...
Jan 5, 2014 2:44AM PST

... you are trying to achieve.

Dafydd.

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I am trying to complete a new build.
Jan 5, 2014 2:55AM PST

For clarification, AMD CPU is installed, but no peripherals and no O/S yet installed. Just trying to see if there will be video output.

Can't get past no video. Even without a CD or HDD, there should be video output from the mobo.

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"w/o a CD or HDD, there should B video output from mobo"
Jan 5, 2014 3:20AM PST

I don't believe that's true for all mobos. Some will not do anything if they don't detect a hard drive. Install a HDD and/or CD/DVD drive with something bootable on it. THEN see what happens. Once again I have to say what you're trying to do is like trying to crank a car with no ignition system. Sad

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(NT) He doing a bench test...
Jan 5, 2014 3:19AM PST
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I did a bench test once.
Jan 5, 2014 3:27AM PST

Got 6 splinters and a numb ar.e.

Dafydd.

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(NT) Shouldn't use that unfinished lumber or wear gloves.
Jan 5, 2014 7:45AM PST
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Clarification Request
Still missing fine details.
Jan 5, 2014 3:09AM PST
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Answer
(NT) I was thinking bench test but is the MB installed in case ??
Jan 5, 2014 3:21AM PST
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Mobo is mounted in case
Jan 5, 2014 3:27AM PST

Should I remove it and try it unmounted to see if possible short?

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(NT) Yes.
Jan 5, 2014 3:29AM PST
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On cardboard.
Jan 5, 2014 3:30AM PST

Dafydd.

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It takes 30 seconds to plug 2 wires to CD/DVD
Jan 5, 2014 3:34AM PST

so why are you making this difficult for yourself. Some mobos will fail POST if they don't detect a bootable device, that could be your problem.

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Agree.
Jan 5, 2014 3:39AM PST

Dafydd.

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Apology for not understanding
Jan 5, 2014 7:39AM PST

Wasn't trying to be difficult, just missed it that I should try it with an optical drive or hdd.

Have now done so with a SSD by itself, a DVD writer by itself, both together, all with the mobo mounted inside the case, and now removed and outside the case.

BTW, the CPU is AMD Athlon II X4 640 Quad Core.

Anything else I should try?

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tried video card
Jan 5, 2014 8:58AM PST

In case it is the onboard video, I installed a Radeon HD5450 in the slot, but still nothing.

No sound, no video from either connector. Arrrgh!

FWIW, lights do flash on the DVD drive.

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Is that a 95 Watt CPU?
Jan 5, 2014 9:10AM PST
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Clarification needed please
Jan 5, 2014 11:16AM PST

Bob, Thanks for yours.

As I read it, "..with max 95W.." should include this mobo, no? It is 95W.

"I also see that a certain level of BIOS is required" I don't understand "a certain level of BIOS". What does "level" mean in this context?

"How do you know this combo works?" If the combo that you enquire about is the combo of CPU and mobo, it came as a kit from Tiger Direct.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5051182&tab=7&SRCCODE=WEBLET03ORDER&cm_mmc=Email-_-WebletMain-_-WEBLET03ORDER-_-Deals

My assumption is that they build at least one to ensure a fit. Is that a bad assumption?

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Just realized you said CPU, not mobo
Jan 5, 2014 11:19AM PST
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PS. About the BIOS level.
Jan 5, 2014 11:23AM PST

It's noted in the CPU support list. I apologize for not writing at length because folk that build PCs tend to know BIOS terminology. But let's expand on that.

1. It was supplied as a kit. I would not expect to have to update the BIOS to get the CPU supported.

2. If it was not supplied as a kit I have had to obtain a CPU that is supported at the lowest known BIOS revision or level to get the board to boot then we update the BIOS to get the newer CPU working. EXPENSIVE. Only done when the client is adament to get a board working. Don't ask me why they pay.
Bob

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Remember
Jan 5, 2014 11:20AM PST

I'm a bit seasoned and the words on the site set off alarms for me. Let's say they sold you a kit. Since it's DOA, treat it as such and RMA it before you exceed the return period and are stuck.
Bob

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Answer
check your BIOS video settings, I see both VGA and DVI
Jan 5, 2014 1:16PM PST

check RAM devoted to the integrated video. You do have RAM installed? Is there actually a beeper on the speaker pins? If not, no beeps.

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With and without ram
Jan 6, 2014 1:30AM PST

Have tried power up both with and without RAM, but no cigar. Nothing showing at all on the monitor.

I cannot see any speaker in the case, and do not see a front-of-case lead for a speaker. Are beeps audible through the audio port via headphones?

PSU is Ultra ULT-LSV450. When a SATA DVD is connected lights flash, and the CPU fan always comes on. If the PSU is damaged, would the fan spin and the DVD light flash?

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look on the motherboard
Jan 6, 2014 2:34AM PST

usually front left corner. It's where the Reset, Power, HDD, and LED power are. You will also see pins for a speaker there. If nothing is on it, you will not hear beeps. Often kits and motherboards come with a piezo beeper at least to put on it. Yes, the 5V fans can spin even if the 12V system on the PSU fails. I just scrapped a junky Logisys 550w that did that exact thing. It's 12V rail couldn't even pull 100w. You must always have RAM in it if you want the BIOS to make it to POST. A computer can POST even with no video showing, since that's a function of the video chip, either discreet (added into a slot) or integrated (on board). No, you can't hear beeps through the audio port. The BIOS beeps are generated by it's CMOS and sent to the front J Panel speaker pins, it doesn't go through the regular audio circuit. You seem kinda lost on this. Have you consulted any "how to" on building a computer?

http://lifehacker.com/5826509/how-to-build-a-computer-from-scratch-lesson-1-hardware-basics
4 pages

http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57607658-285/how-to-build-your-own-computer/
good video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw

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Thanks for your guidance
Jan 6, 2014 5:39AM PST

Very informative.

Yes, I am inexperienced at this. Will follow up with the references and try to fill in the gaps. Yes, I am inexperienced at this. Yes, I am inexperienced at this.

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Conclusion
Jan 17, 2014 11:39PM PST

Just realized that I had forgotten to advise my conclusion, which is dead mobo. Have returned it to MSI for their concurrence/replacement. Thanks all.

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Thanks for posting 'The Conclusion'.
Jan 18, 2014 2:50AM PST

Can't recall....did you ever try the onboard video ?

Let us know how it works out when you get the system up and running.

VAPCMD