Computer won't boot

[WayTooShort]

I just finished building my computer, and now the damn motherboard won't boot. When I turn on the PSU the red light on start button starts burning, but when I press it nothing happens.

Could this be PSU's fault? I have some fans directly connected to it, but they will never run. Should they?

 

[WayTooShort]

I just tested with another PSU that should work, and I still have same problem. Now it's either CPU or motherboard. Motherboard does absolutely nothing, and when I turn PSU on a little chip between two PCI-e slots gets really hot. Is it likely that my motherboard is the source of the problem?

 

[Slapshot136]

when you connect the PSU to the motherboard and power it on, does the motherboard's "ready" light power on? does the CPU have/need an extra power adapter (4 or 8 pin?) are there any beeps? have you tried a single stick of ram in all the ram slots? (making sure that it's in all the way)

 

[WayTooShort]

I have both the 24-pin ATX cable and the 8-pin thing for CPU plugged in, the motherboard manual said that it won't boot unless both of them are connected. I have tried two different RAMs in all slots, but I doubt that is the problem since it won't even beep.

When the PSU is switched on, the light on motherboard's power and reset switch turns on. However, pressing either of them or the case power button causes nothing to happen.

Also whenever PSU is switched on, a small transistor (mosfet I think) gets burning hot. Testing with voltmeter, that mosfet causes the 5 volt purple (sb) cable on the 24-pin ATX cable to reduce to about 4 volts, meaning that it's using 1 volt to something when the motherboard isn't even turned on. Is that normal?

 

[Slapshot136]

@ your above post - I would ask the motherboard manufacturer - they should know if that is normal or not, I don't know (I don't even know what model motherboard you have..)

 

[DDRtists]

Is it plugged in?!

But nah, the first thing I would check is the placement of the power/reset button switches. I've done that before. If that doesn't fix it or do anything, contact your motherboard manufacturer, chances are you got a bunk mobo'

 

[WayTooShort]

I have asus P5Q-E, though that probably doesn't tell you anything. The heating mosfet is the one between two PCI-e ports.

Anyways, is there no reliable way of checking whether it is CPU or motherboard that is failing?

 

[DDRtists]

Chances are if it's the CPU, it would give some beep code. Motherboard, maybe not, as it might not get far enough to do that.